The popularity of aerosol de-icers has prompted some major marketers to promote store brands. For example, Wal-Mart now offers Windshield De-Icer Supertech in an ITW Sexton 211x604 (65x157mm) DOT 2Q can holding 11oz. of product. The can capacity is 531mL with valve in place. The label discloses methanol as a potentially hazardous ingredient. Tire Shines There are now many companion products to the original No Touch products developed by a Japanese chemist sometime around 1970. They are based upon first cleaning and drying tires, then spraying a formulation that typically contains 4.5% silicone fluid (10,000 cstks.), 1.5% silicone fluid (1000 cstks.), 2.0% acrylic resin, acetone and other solvents and a hydrocarbon propellant. Marketers include ITW Global Brands with Black Magic, 14.5oz. in a DS Container. The Tire Wet Spray label promises a long-lasting shine. Another is Meguiar’s Hot Shine, by Meguiar, Inc. (UK). The fill is 15oz. in a 211x713 (65x198mm) tinplate can. The label promises a “deep wet black look.” In these products the 1,000 cstks. of silicone fluid fills the myriad of tiny cracks and crevices caused by road flexing and ozone, giving tires a dull, grey-black appearance. The 10,000 cstks of silicone fluid provides surface gloss and the acrylic resin repels road dust and adds longevity. With a VOC limit of only 8%, the main carriers are either acetone or water. Tire Sealant/Inflators These controversial products have had a long and painful history of tire explosions, patent-related limitations and the use of HFC-134, a non-flammable propellant. With the first two problems having faded into history, the U.S. market is currently about 23 million units. Flat tires can be a major problem, especially on crowded highways, lonely roads and in cold weather conditions. This has inspired cautious drivers to store a tire sealant/inflator can in their car trunk, often for years at a time. The formulas typically contain a Flexbond polymeric sealant, while the HFC- 134a acts as a re-inflator. A major product is Fix-A-Flat, now marketed by Accessories Marketing in three sizes: 12oz. (small tires), 16oz. (standard tires) and 20oz. (large tires). The rationale is that using too much HFC-134a propellant in a small tire would lead to over-pressurization. The products are connected to the tire intake valve either directly or by means of a flexible, pressure resistant transparent plastic hose and adapter. The tinplate cans are all DOT 2Q. U.S. Another marketer is American Marketing, who produces SLIME Quick Spare products. Cans are 211-diameter DOT 2Q tinplate. The firm prefers direct gassing, using a special green plastic actuator-adapter. For this option to work, the can position must be considered. Other Products Lubricant aerosols enjoy a market volume of about 130 million units per year. Over 99% are in steel or tinplate cans. They easily extend into household, automotive and industrial product categories. The leading product in many countries is WD-40 from the WD-40 Co. (San Diego, CA). A number of contract fillers participate in producing these products, which range from 3oz. aerosols to 55 U.S. gallon drums. The formulation, changed only superficially over the last 60 years, was developed by John Berry, chemist and entrepreneur, as his Water Displacement formula No. 40, according to various reports. It is currently pressurized with CO2 and uses a unique actuator for either general or pin-point spraying. The firm also markets several companion aerosols, such as specialty lubricants. The increasing use of electronics in modern vehicles has inspired CRC Industries to market its QD Electronic Cleaner as a quick-drying formula containing iso-hexane, HFC-152a, n.hexane, ethanol and CO2, presented in a 211x604 (65x157mm) DOT 2Q can as an 11oz. fill. They also market a multi-use Heavy Duty Silicone Lubricant as an 11oz. fill in a DS Container 211x713 can, and a Stops Rust–Waterproofs– Protects product for disc brakes, using a 211-diameter tinplate can and 9oz. fill. A stir pellet is in the can. This brief sampling of automotive aerosol products will show that this important sub-category is currently doing well, supported by numerous marketers and retail outlets. The business is slowly enlarging, despite numerous regulatory and other constraints. As the U.S. population grows from the present 311 million, cars and trucks will become ever more plentiful, and this bodes well for the future of these aerosol products. Spray April 2015 Spray 27
Spray April 2015
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