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Concentrated traffic film remover

Car-Chem Total Clean Traffic Film Remover

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£8.99

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Size 500ml

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Car-Chem Total Clean Traffic Film Remover £8.99
Click & Collect: Ilkeston · FreeMost eligible orders are ready within 5 minutes during opening times. Please wait for your collection-ready confirmation before travelling. Click & Collect: Ilkeston Not available for this option. Options that can be collected show it here. How it works

Car-Chem Total Clean is an aggressive road film cleaner and is designed to remove traffic film, dead bugs, bird droppings and general dirt & grime from all paint types. Suitable for use on paint, wheels, glass and trim when used at the correct ratios. Car-Chem Total Clean can be diluted from 10:1 to 100:1 for different cleaning methods!

  • Removes traffic film and road grime
  • Tackles dead bugs and bird droppings
  • Dilutes from 10:1 to 100:1
  • Use through a foam lance or sprayer
  • Targets heavily soiled lower panels
  • Strips old wax before new protection
  • Preps paint for polishing or coating
  • Available in 500ml and 5L
Read the full description

Full Description

Car-Chem Total Clean is an aggressive road film cleaner and is designed to remove traffic film, dead bugs, bird droppings and general dirt & grime from all paint types. Suitable for use on paint, wheels, glass and trim when used at the correct ratios. Car-Chem Total Clean can be diluted from 10:1 to 100:1 for different cleaning methods!

More in Citrus Pre-Wash.

Tracked UK delivery, or collect eligible orders from our Ilkeston store.

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Key features

  • Traffic Film Remover
  • 10:1 To 100:1
  • Foam Lance Compatible
  • Concentrated Formula
  • Removes Dead Bugs

The Drivers HQ

Expert Notes

Car-Chem Total Clean is a concentrated traffic film remover for the pre-wash stage. Car-Chem designs it to remove traffic film, dead bugs, bird droppings and general grime, and it is aimed at the lower half of the car where mud, grease and road film build up. Dilute it before use, from 100:1 for light soiling to 10:1 for heavy soiling, and apply by spray bottle, chemical feed sprayer or foam lance. Keep it off plastic trim, rinse within 2 minutes and never let it dry. Because it strips old waxes and sealants, it suits the preparation stage before polishing, waxing or coating, followed by a full shampoo wash and fresh protection.

Perfect For / Suitable Surfaces

  • Painted bodywork
  • Lower body panels and sills
  • Bug-splattered front ends
  • Wheels
  • Glass
  • Paint prep before waxing or coating

Caution: Car-Chem classes it as causing severe skin burns and eye damage: wear gloves and eye protection, keep it off plastic trim and rinse within 2 minutes.

Technical Specifications

Product Type
Traffic Film Remover
Brand
Car-Chem
Available Sizes
500ml, 5L
Format
Concentrate, Dilute Before Use
Dilution
10:1 To 100:1
Dilution Guide
100:1 Light, 50:1 Medium, 10:1 Heavy Soiling
Application Method
Spray Bottle, Chemical Feed Sprayer Or Foam Lance
Rinse Time
Within 2 Minutes Of Application
Removes
Traffic Film, Dead Bugs, Bird Droppings, Dirt And Grime
Effect On Protection
Strips Old Waxes And Sealants
Cautions
Avoid Plastic Trim, Never Let It Dry On Paintwork
Primary Use
Pre-Wash And Paint Preparation

How To Use

Application

  1. Wear gloves and eye protection before handling or diluting the concentrate.
  2. Dilute the concentrate with water: 100:1 for light, 50:1 for medium and 10:1 for heavy soiling.
  3. Fill a spray bottle, chemical feed sprayer or foam lance with the diluted solution.
  4. Work on a cool vehicle in the shade, one section at a time.
  5. Apply evenly to the affected areas, keeping overspray off plastic trim.
  6. Rinse thoroughly with water within 2 minutes, never letting it dry.

Aftercare

  1. Follow with a full contact wash using a car shampoo.
  2. Reapply wax, sealant or coating, as the solution strips old protection.
  3. Flush sprayers and foam lances with clean water after use.
  4. Store the concentrate sealed, upright and away from frost and heat.
  5. Keep it out of reach of children and read the label safety information.

Top Tip: Start at the weakest dilution that shifts the dirt and only move towards 10:1 for heavy soiling.

Performance Benefits

  • Lifts traffic film from paintwork
  • Clears bird droppings and grime
  • Targets grease on lower panels
  • Strips old wax and sealant
  • Preps paint for new protection
  • Quickly breaks down bonded residues

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Total Clean remove?

Car-Chem Total Clean is designed to remove traffic film, dead bugs, bird droppings and general dirt and grime from paintwork. Car-Chem says it targets the lower half of the vehicle, where mud, grease and road film build up most.

How do I dilute it?

It is a concentrate and must be diluted first. Car-Chem's Total Clean guide is 100:1 for light soiling, 50:1 for medium soiling and 10:1 for heavy soiling.

Can I use it through a foam lance?

Yes. Car-Chem states Total Clean can be used through a chemical feed sprayer or a foam lance, and its current instructions also cover a spray bottle.

How long can I leave it on?

Only briefly. Car-Chem's current guidance is to rinse thoroughly within 2 minutes of application and never let it dry on paintwork.

Will it remove my wax?

It can. Car-Chem says this traffic film remover strips old waxes and sealants, which makes it a preparation step before polishing, waxing or ceramic coating.

Can I use it on plastic trim?

Keep it off plastic trim. Car-Chem advises avoiding overspray and contact with plastics and trim.

What sizes are available?

Car-Chem Total Clean is available in 500ml and 5L sizes.

Where can I buy Total Clean?

It is available from The Drivers HQ with UK-wide delivery, and our walk-in store is in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

HQ Suggests Tips & Insights

  1. Always dilute the concentrate before use.
  2. Use 100:1 for light dirt and 10:1 for heavy soiling.
  3. Rinse within 2 minutes and never let it dry.
  4. Keep overspray off plastic trim and rubber.
  5. Work in the shade on cool panels.
  6. Use it before polishing, waxing or coating to strip old protection.
  7. Reapply protection after using it on waxed or sealed paint.
  8. Flush sprayers and lances with clean water after use.

The Brand

Car-Chem

Car-Chem is a car care manufacturer with an on-site laboratory, a dedicated research chemist and a production facility in Nottingham. The company says it has researched, developed and produced car care since 2010, and that its products are trusted by professionals and enthusiasts in over 40 countries. In 2024 it was acquired by Leading Solvent Supplies, a UK chemical group, and alongside its own Car-Chem range it develops and produces private label products for other businesses.

The Drivers HQ stocks Car-Chem across the whole wash and protection routine, with several products in 500ml and 5L sizes. For washing there is Pre Soak+ Snow Foam, Citrus Clean, Total Clean Traffic Film Remover, 1900:1 Shampoo and Clean Wheels. Protection comes from Sapphire Ceramic Wax, Connoisseur Carnauba Wax and Hydro Quick Detailer, with Prep Panel Wipe to ready the paint. Inside there is Interior Clean Coat, Hide Leather Cream and Refresh Odour Eliminator, and for glass, Pre Icer and Screen Wash Water Resistant.

Car-Chem suits enthusiasts who want to build a complete kit from one maker, and detailers who get through a lot of product, since the 5L sizes are handy for refilling smaller bottles. A typical routine starts with snow foam and a citrus pre-wash to loosen dirt before a careful contact wash with shampoo, then the wheels. Panel wipe removes oils before a ceramic or carnauba wax goes on, and a quick detailer keeps the finish topped up between washes. Glass and interior products finish the car inside and out.

Buy Car-Chem from The Drivers HQ with UK-wide delivery, or visit our walk-in store in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, where Click & Collect is free. Whether you are restocking a favourite shampoo in a larger size, trying a ceramic wax or putting together a winter glass kit with Pre Icer and screen wash, you can combine Car-Chem products with the rest of your detailing and car care essentials in a single order.

Shop all Car-Chem
Car Chem 1900:1 Shampoo (500ml and 5L) - The Drivers HQ

Developed and Made in Nottingham

Car-Chem describes itself as a manufacturer and innovator in the automotive care industry, and says it has researched, developed and produced car care since 2010. Its on-site laboratory, dedicated research chemist and production facility are in Nottingham, and the company says it maintains quality control at every stage so that every product and its packaging comply with UK and international regulatory standards.

In 2024 Car-Chem was acquired by Leading Solvent Supplies, a UK chemical group. The company says the move gives it greater investment in research and development and more production capacity, while it keeps its own brand identity and expert team. Its products, it says, are still developed and produced by Car-Chem at its Nottingham facility.

Alongside its own range, Car-Chem develops and produces private label products for businesses from global corporations to specialised niche brands. The company says its formulations are trusted by professionals and enthusiasts in over 40 countries.

CARCHEM SAPPHIRE CERAMIC WAX - The Drivers HQ

From Snow Foam to Ceramic Wax

Car-Chem describes 1900:1 Shampoo as a highly concentrated shampoo that cuts through dirt, grime and road contaminants while preserving waxes, sealants and ceramic coatings, with lubricants that give a smooth glide and reduce the risk of swirls, scratches and marring. Before the contact wash, Pre Soak+ Snow Foam lifts dirt and grime from exterior surfaces without stripping sealant or wax, and Citrus Clean is a versatile cleaner for jobs inside and outside the car, diluted with water to suit the task.

Clean Wheels is an acid-based spray cleaner that the brand says is suitable for alloy, painted and plastic-trimmed wheels, lifting brake dust, grit and grease. When the paint is clean, Prep Panel Wipe removes oils and silicones to leave a streak-free surface ready for last stage protection.

For that protection, The Drivers HQ stocks Sapphire, an SiO2 based ceramic wax, and Connoisseur Carnauba Wax, which protects against contamination while adding to the natural gloss of the paint, with Hydro Quick Detailer adding a thin layer of hydrophobic sealant between washes. Pre Icer is a glass coating that helps stop ice settling on treated glass, Screen Wash Water Resistant is a screen wash additive that coats the windscreen with a hydrophobic barrier, Hide Leather Cream moisturises leather and Refresh Odour Eliminator targets bad smells at the source.

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