Wash-bay chemistry for Namibian fleets

Magnus 88XL is a fast-acting acid detergent for aluminium, and on truck rims the specified dilution is 1 part product to 19 parts water (1:19). At that strength it brightens oxidised aluminium without etching. Do not use it stronger to work faster — over-strength acid on hot rims is how staining happens. Apply to a cool surface, keep it moving, and rinse thoroughly. The same 1:19 solution is used on aluminium superstructures and boat hulls at the coast.

GPL Detergent is the standard Cernol truck-wash liquid — a general-purpose detergent that cuts road film and diesel soot at wash-bay dilutions, supplied in 5 L, 25 L and 200 L for fleet use. If GPL is ever unavailable, Synapol A is the specified alternative and washes the same way. For cool trucks and refrigerated bodies where food is carried, use Chlordet 110 instead, because the chlorinated cleaner also sanitizes the load area.

Magnus 614 is a radiator-cleaning powder that circulates with the cooling water: dose it, run the engine to temperature so the solution moves through the core, then drain and flush. It dissolves the scale and oxidation that hard Namibian borehole water leaves in cooling systems. Zinc Chloride is the listed alternative product. For long-term protection of closed cooling circuits on heavy equipment, follow the clean with CCW 5 corrosion inhibitor, which carries a built-in indicator so you can see the treatment is live.

Three products cover the cab: Magnus 148 is a multi-purpose transport cleaner used on interior surfaces and stains (it is also rated for aircraft cleaning), Silprolease dresses dashboards and bumpers with a silicone finish, and Air Sanitizer sprayed in the cab kills odour at the source between trips. Transport depots typically add Windowklene for glass and microfibre cloths from the consumables range so the whole cab-care kit arrives in one delivery.