Clearing the Air with nextzett Klima-Cleaner

Discussion in 'Car Detailing Product Discussion' started by Michael @ einszett, Apr 2, 2010.

  1. Michael @ einszett

    Michael @ einszett DB Certified Manufacturer

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    Clearing the Air

    By Michael Mankarious

    Featured Product: Klima-Cleaner

    Nothing goes hand in hand like spring and detailing your car. If you’ve been dealing with snow than more likely than not you’ve been waiting for the moment when you can unearth your car from layers of road salt and grime.

    While surface treatment of the paint finish and interior get all the attention during the car care season, there’s one area that is often overlooked – the air conditioning system. If you’ve ever noticed an unpleasant odor (old gym socks maybe?) coming out of your vents when your air conditioning system is on, you might think there’s nothing that could be done about it other than ignoring it or masking it with an air freshener. Or maybe you’ve never noticed it and a passenger brought it to your attention. So why is there an odor coming from the air conditioner?

    Cause
    Every time you use your air conditioner, you are providing an opportunity for odor causing mold, mildew and bacteria to grow within your air conditioning system. To explain how this happens, a basic explanation of how the air conditioner system works. When the air conditioner is operating, it pulls moisture out of your car’s interior through a unit called the evaporator core, which is located underneath your car’s dashboard. By pulling moisture from the air, the relative humidity is decreased allowing the air temperature to feel cooler. The moisture that is pulled from the air condenses and is drained outside the car. Ever notice a pool of water under your parked car on a hot summer day? That’s the water that was drained from the system. This also happens to be the way home air conditioners work.

    Even though most of the moisture is drained from the car, moisture still remains on the
    evaporator core and the box that the core sits inside of. As the air circulates around the evaporator core, dust and pollen in the air stick to the moisture on the metal fins of the evaporator. Soon thereafter mold, mildew and bacteria begin to grow on the surface of the evaporator. This collection of grime and odor causing agents begin to release odor and is the cause of the smell coming out of your vents.


    Possible Solutions
    One way to help prevent or at least reduce this issue is to keep the air conditioner on the fresh air setting. This keeps fresh air circulating around the evaporator which helps keep it and the surrounding area dry thereby reducing the chance of any mold, mildew and bacteria from growing. However, there are two disadvantages to this method. First, it’s also not always convenient to switch to the fresh air setting in order to draw in hotter air to dry out the system. It just might be too hot or cold to be worth this extra effort. It’s also not economical. Second, allowing fresh air to flow in increases the accumulation of dust, pollen and brake dust build up. Of course if you have a cabin air filter you don’t have to worry about that since it will trap the pollutants before it reaches the evaporator area.

    Another possible solution is to spray a disinfectant like Lysol® into the ventilation system or have your car treated with ozone or other similar system. However, this process does not affect any dust, pollen and other contaminants that have accumulated on the evaporator. While it may disinfect any mold, mildew and bacteria, the results are usually short term.

    Last but not least, you can have your system treated by the dealership. They will use Klima-Cleaner or a similar product and may charge $150 and higher for this service. This is the most effective solution but it can be expensive.


    Solution: Klima-Cleaner
    As we found, the best solution is to have the dealership treat your air conditioning system for you. However, it’s quite expensive. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can use the same product they use. Applying nextzett Klima-Cleaner effectively disinfects mold, mildew and bacteria on the evaporator core. It also applies a thin layer of protectant that has been proven in laboratory tests which makes the growth of contaminants more difficult so the results are long lasting. Klima-Cleaner’s effective foam solution emulsifies the debris build up on the evaporator core so it’s cleaner and will run more efficiently.

    Another significant benefit is the result of cleaner cockpit air. This is especially important for allergy sufferers who are sensitive to airborne contaminants.

    For those who are highly sensitive to chemicals, rest assured that Klima-Cleaner is a water- and salt-based cleaner so chances of any skin reaction is extremely minimal.


    Application
    Apply Klima-Cleaner exactly as directed on the product label taking caution that it may be best to have it applied by a certified mechanic if you are unsure about applying the product yourself.

    It’s best to apply Klima-Cleaner every six months. The easiest way to remember is to apply it every time you change your oil. We also suggest you change your cabin filter at the same time for optimum air conditioning performance and the freshest, cleanest air.

    And don’t think that Klima-Cleaner is only for the spring and summer. Applying it in the winter is also important whether you live in area that snows or rains. If you drive in the winter, you’ve probably used your air conditioner setting in conjunction with the heat setting to de-humidify the interior. If so, the evaporator core is susceptible to the same issues as in the warmer months.


    Summary
    Detailing your car is a full system process involving the treatment of every aspect of the car. An application of Klima-Cleaner as part of your detailing regimen will improve the performance of your air conditioning system and improve the air you breathe inside your car.



    Disclaimer:
    If you are unfamiliar with your car’s air conditioning system or unsure about application, you should have Klima-Cleaner applied by a certified mechanic only. Many cars in the last few years have complicated air conditioning systems that are operated using electronic components. Applied incorrectly, Klima-Cleaner may damage these electronic components. nextzett will not be responsible for any damage caused due to improper application of the product.
     
  2. vtec92civic

    vtec92civic Nuba Guru

    nice. what do these bottles run? might have to start offering this to customers.
     
  3. Michael @ einszett

    Michael @ einszett DB Certified Manufacturer

    Thanks. They are $17.
     
  4. detailersdomain

    detailersdomain Administrator

  5. eyezack87

    eyezack87 Guest

    I love this stuff. I've used over 4 bottles in the past year for my cars. I'm glad theres a local place that caries it :)
     
  6. vtec92civic

    vtec92civic Nuba Guru

    how many applications can you get out of one bottle? I'm really thinking about ordering some. Wouldn't hurt to have.
     
  7. detailersdomain

    detailersdomain Administrator

    1 or 2 applications depending on the vehicle
     
  8. vtec92civic

    vtec92civic Nuba Guru

    not bad then . . . . . would just need to charge accordingly. Makes me curious to know if there is a market here for that type of stuff.
     
  9. detailersdomain

    detailersdomain Administrator

    I know the audi dealer charged anywhere from $125-250 to do this.

    We charge $100.
     
  10. vtec92civic

    vtec92civic Nuba Guru

    well that is a nice up charge . . . . . and what do you tell people as far as the purpose of it and do you do a fair amount of them?

    would it also be ok to do this both for vehicles that

    a) need it . . . . . but also for

    b) preventative measures as well.
     
  11. michakaveli

    michakaveli Welcome to Detailing

    My experience with Klima Cleaner has been very good. Perfect example, we have a '95 Dodge Caravan that is the daily grocery getter. There has been a rank odor coming from the climate system for a long time, and progressively was getting worse. I took a chance, and directed the spray nozzle tube down the center console vents as deep as I could get it. A good shake of the bottle before-hand, and let a rip. I had approx. 1/2 of the can, so I unloaded the can until empty. I didn't turn the car on, just let it sit overnight. By the next morning the scent and awful odor were gone. I'm sure a re-application at this time would help. But there was no longer the rank smell in the vehicle. This was applied within the last 6 months, FYI.

    Thanks 1Z!
     
  12. vtec92civic

    vtec92civic Nuba Guru


    good to know man. thanks for the heads up on the stuff. seems to be some pretty good dang stuff.
     
  13. michakaveli

    michakaveli Welcome to Detailing

    It definitely worth a try. Trick is, to know where your evaporator core is, and find the closest vent to it to spray the product into so it reaches the core.
     
  14. togwt

    togwt Nuba Guru

     
  15. pushtiulk

    pushtiulk Guest

    Very good product. I've used and I recommend. Phil, do you charge $100 only for Klima-Cleaner use? Or you change also the cabin air filter?
     
  16. Deep Gloss Auto Salon

    Deep Gloss Auto Salon DB Pro Supporter

    This is a fantastic product that since my first time using it has never left my shelves..

    I upsell it to my customers all the time. Usually after the first time I upsell it they love it so much the ask for it anually without me even selling it to them...

    Top notch!
     
  17. Michael @ einszett

    Michael @ einszett DB Certified Manufacturer

    Here is a sell sheet (attached) that you can print out and hand out to your customers. It explains the problem, cause and solution.

    As with the successful sale of any product, educating the customer is the key. Once they understand the issue, it's not a hard sell.

    We have independant shops and detailers that sell the service anywhere from $50-$100 for the application.

    I would sell it as both a remedy and preventive maintenance. Just like you don't wait for your car's paint to become extremely hazy before you polish it.

    Hope this helps. If you have any questions, let me know!
     

    Attached Files:

  18. matrix_808

    matrix_808 DB Supporter

    Is it necessary to spray klima cleaner in each vent or just one?
     
  19. detailersdomain

    detailersdomain Administrator

    just the center vents
     
  20. GDAL

    GDAL Guest

    Used Klima a few weeks ago on my vehicle with great results. I will be using on my wife's SUV this upcoming weekend.
     

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