Labocosmetica LIBERA Alkaline Traffic Film Remover

Every day, the bodywork is exposed to a combination of environmental and road contaminants: smog, industrial dust, salt, diesel residues, and atmospheric particulates. These elements make up what is called organic and surface dirt, which can be effectively removed with a good alkaline pre-wash or a well-balanced touchless system.

Over time, on certain surfaces — especially light-coloured, porous, or oxidised paints — an invisible but strongly bonded road film forms. It consists of layers of oils, carbon residues, and atmospheric contaminants, including particulates like PM10, which are not completely removed by a normal pre-wash, even if alkaline.

For this type of dirt, a targeted approach is needed: the Traffic Film Remover, or TFR.

Unlike traditional pre-washes, the TFR is designed to penetrate deep into the paint, dissolve the bonded film dirt, and work where regular pre-washes stop. It’s not just a matter of alkalinity, but of formulation — of innovative surfactants and a selective cleaning power that make the TFR an essential technical tool, especially when aiming for a thorough cleaning before manual contact or a detailing process.

One of the main limitations of traditional TFRs is that they dry too quickly, increasing the risk of stains and streaks that are hard to remove.

LIBERA was designed to keep the surface wet for longer, ensuring more uniform action, deeper cleaning and protection of delicate surfaces.

In the world of car care, TFRs (Traffic Film Removers) are often associated with caustic and aggressive formulas. The products commonly available on the market fall into two categories:

• Car wash TFRs: extremely powerful and designed to quickly remove the toughest dirt. However, their effectiveness comes at a cost: they can compromise waxes, sealants, ceramic coatings, and PPF films, leaving the surface exposed to the elements.
• Gentle pre-washes: less aggressive and generally safer on applied protections, but often ineffective against the most stubborn road grime.

The result? Detailing professionals have always avoided traditional TFRs, opting instead for safer solutions to avoid compromising the protective treatments already applied to vehicles.

The professional thus found themselves at an operational crossroads:

• Use PRIMUS 2.0, with the assurance of maximum safety on waxes, sealants, and coatings, but with limited effectiveness on certain types of heavily bonded dirt.
• Or resort to more aggressive TFRs, capable of removing even the most stubborn grime, but with the real risk of damaging surface protections, as well as aluminium trims and delicate mouldings.

In the world of professional detailing, tackling complex, layered dirt requires an advanced strategy. That’s where the **new 2pH+ (Plus) washing cycle** comes into play: a two-step approach that **combines the power of an alkaline TFR like LIBERA** with the complementary action of an **acidic TFR like RENOVA**.

Why use a 2pH+ cycle

Road dirt is never uniform. It’s made up of:

• Organic contaminants (smog, oils, carbon residues)
• Mineral contaminants (limescale, cement dust, industrial residues)

Using only one type of pH — alkaline or acidic — is not always enough to effectively and safely remove all components.

The **2pH+ wash** solves this limitation through a **sequential approach**:

Step 1 – LIBERA: advanced alkaline TFR

• Deeply dissolves traffic film, grease, oils, and stubborn dirt.
• Removes organic contaminants that normal prewashes struggle to tackle.
• Ensures maximum safety on waxes, coatings, and PPF.
• Works without affecting delicate surfaces thanks to its selective, controlled action.

Step 2 – RENOVA: intelligent acidic TFR

• Completes the cleaning by targeting mineral and inorganic contaminants.
• Eliminates limescale residues and hard water spots.
• Ideal as the final cleaning step before polishing or applying protective films.
• Restores the surface pH and brings back its natural shine.

Libera must be applied as a mist and not delivered like a foaming pre-wash.

It should be used at the start, in place of the pre-wash phase, on a cool surface and in the shade.

Step-by-step application method:

For an even deeper clean, in case of heavily bonded road film and recommended before applying PPF, follow these steps:

• Second pre-wash with LIBERA using a mitt, diluted at 1:20
  OR
• Second acidic pre-wash with Renova (2pH+ wash cycle)
• Drying and inspection in preparation for PPF application

Tips: on complex areas (wheels, badges), use a soft-bristle brush.

Preparation: vehicle in the shade, bodywork cool.

RECOMMENDED DILUTION WITH PUMP SPRAYER

Application:

Spray on dry bodywork, from bottom to top

Dwell time:

• General: 3–6 minutes
• Do not let the product dry

Rinsing: with high-pressure water, from bottom to top.