Automotive Care

Car Wash and Automotive Care Testing

Tandell supports car-wash chemistry and automotive-care development with controlled comparisons aligned to product stage, application method, water conditions, target soils, surfaces, and desired finish.

Project pathwaysBenchmarkingDevelopmentClaims support

What we evaluate

Controlled variables. Relevant outcomes.

The final design is selected around your product format, use conditions, competitive set, target claim, and required level of control.

Pre-soak, shampoo, detergent, and wheel-cleaner performance
Foam generation, drainage, and persistence
Wetting, sheeting, rinsing, spotting, filming, and drying behaviour
Gloss, appearance, protection, and compatibility effects

Methods & protocols

Controlled panel and component studies
Contact angle, surface tension, gloss, colour, and image analysis
Mechanized cleaning and rinse simulations
Custom multi-stage car-wash program comparisons

What you receive

Stage-by-stage program differentiation
Formula, dose, and sequence comparisons
Finish-quality and material-risk evidence
Development and claims-support reporting

Project coordination

Method-selection guidance
Sample and timing coordination
Direct technical communication
Clear final reporting

Products evaluated

Testing across the complete category.

Programs are adapted to the product format, marketed use, application method, substrate, soil, dose, and competitive context.

01Tunnel, in-bay, self-serve, and hand-wash chemistries

02Pre-soaks, shampoos, foams, and detergents

03Wheel, tire, bug, glass, and interior cleaners

04Drying aids, waxes, sealants, and protectants

05Detailing products and maintenance cleaners

06Fleet and commercial vehicle-care systems

Specialized programs

Go beyond a single cleaning score.

Program-level evaluation

Compare individual stages or complete wash sequences while controlling water, application, dwell, mechanical action, rinse, and drying variables.

Finish and water behaviour

Measure wetting, sheeting, beading, spotting, filming, gloss, haze, and visible residue on representative vehicle surfaces.

Material interaction

Screen vehicle components and finished surfaces for appearance or compatibility effects under defined exposure.

Related expertise

Connect application testing with measurement.

Surface tension, contact angle, foam structure, microscopy, colour, gloss, rheology, and controlled separation analysis can help explain why products perform differently.

Explore analytical services

Start a project

Plan a car wash & automotive study.

Our technical team will help define a practical test program around your product, benchmark, claim, or development objective.

Discuss Your Project