Abstract: The present invention provides a metal brightener and surface cleaner, which provides significant etching of aluminum and other metals, without detrimentally affecting other surfaces such as painted surfaces, glass, rubber and plastic. The inventive composition is especially suited for aluminum brightening for large vehicles, and may be utilized in an alkaline step of a multi-step vehicle wash. One of the exemplary compositions includes an alkali metal hydroxide; a polycarboxylic acid; an alkali metal salt of an organic acid; a first, amphoteric surfactant; a second, betaine surfactant; and a third, nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a low pH microemulsion cleaning composition, with methods for making and using the composition. The composition includes a salt of citric acid; at least one anionic surfactant such as a complex alkyl phosphate ester; at least one nonionic surfactant; a hydrotrope; a glycol ether; 5% to 25% by weight of glycolic acid, citric acid or lactic acid; 2% to 20% by weight of d-limonene, dl-limonene, pine oil, lemon oil, orange oil, grapefruit oil, lime oil, or bergamot oil; and water.