Koch-Chemie PreFoam Efficient Pfe
by
Koch Chemie
£24.95
- Highly concentrated
- Lifts road grime
- Touchless pre-wash
We Say
Quite simply, one of the most impressive pre-washes we've tested. Incredible cleaning power that makes light work of stubborn road grime, often in less than a minute.
Every now and again a product comes along that genuinely impresses us, and Koch-Chemie PreFoam Efficient is one of them. We've tried plenty of snow foams over the years, but PFE stands out for its sheer cleaning ability. It's a highly concentrated alkaline pre-wash that attacks stubborn road grime, traffic film and insect remains before you even touch the paintwork. During winter, when vehicles seem to collect an endless layer of muck, it's particularly impressive.
What surprised us most was how quickly it works. Koch-Chemie specifies a maximum dwell time of just one minute, yet PFE can remove an astonishing amount of dirt in that short window. Its combination of surfactants and complexing agents does the heavy lifting, while the foaming action helps distribute the cleaner across the surface. There's even a fresh citrus fragrance, although it's the cleaning performance rather than the smell that makes this one special.
There's a trade-off with that kind of strength. PFE is highly alkaline, so we wouldn't use it as our everyday choice on a freshly waxed car, and repeated use may affect some existing protection. Interestingly, when we tested it on a vehicle wearing Koch-Chemie Wet Gloss, we didn't notice any obvious deterioration in water repellency. That's encouraging, but certainly not a guarantee for every coating. We'd reserve PFE for the dirtier jobs and use something gentler, such as Koch-Chemie Gentle Snow Foam, for regular maintenance washing.
Key Features
Cleaning Strength
10/10
(PolishedBliss comparison rating)
Foaming
8/10
(PolishedBliss comparison rating)
Insect Removal
9/10
(PolishedBliss comparison rating)
Description
Koch-Chemie PreFoam Efficient (PFE) is a highly concentrated, phosphate-free alkaline pre-cleaner developed for intensive washing of cars and commercial vehicles. Its formulation combines complexing agents and surfactants to rapidly dissolve stubborn contamination, including insect remains, bird droppings and environmental soiling.
Designed for use with compatible foaming and spraying equipment, PreFoam Efficient provides good foam formation and effective surface coverage. Its strongly alkaline formulation, with a concentrate pH of 13.5, delivers rapid cleaning action while the fresh citrus fragrance makes the application process more pleasant.
PreFoam Efficient is suitable for professional vehicle pre-cleaning, including commercial vehicle washing and self-service wash facilities. Koch-Chemie specifies different dilution ratios depending on the cleaning task: 1:20 for insect cleaning, 1:30 for car chassis pre-cleaning and 1:15 to 1:20 for truck pre-cleaning.
The product is VDA Class B compliant when used at a maximum application concentration of 1:100 and with a maximum contact time of one minute. These conditions are specific to VDA compliance and should not be confused with the manufacturer's separate intensive cleaning recommendations.
PreFoam Efficient must be applied to compatible, cool surfaces and rinsed thoroughly using a high-pressure cleaner within one minute. Koch-Chemie recommends application from the bottom upwards to cover the entire surface evenly. The solution must never be allowed to dry, and surface suitability should always be checked before use.
Specification
| Chemical Basis | Highly alkaline, phosphate-free |
|---|---|
| Cleaning Strength |
|
| Foaming |
|
| Insect Removal |
|
| Maximum Dwell | 1 minute |
| pH | 13.5 (concentrate) |
| Primary Application | Intensive vehicle pre-washing |
| VDA Classification | Class B, at 1:100 application concentration |
How To Use
-
Check surface compatibility
Ensure the vehicle is cool and the surfaces are suitable for a strongly alkaline cleaner. Test an inconspicuous area first, particularly when working with sensitive finishes or existing protective treatments.
-
Prepare the dilution
Dilute according to the intended cleaning application. Koch-Chemie specifies 1:20 for insect cleaning, 1:30 for car chassis pre-cleaning and 1:15 to 1:20 for truck pre-cleaning. Use compatible chemical-resistant spray or foaming equipment.
-
Observe VDA requirements
Where VDA Class B compliance is required, the maximum application concentration is 1:100, with a maximum contact time of one minute. For foam lances, account for the additional water dilution when determining the concentration actually reaching the vehicle.
-
Apply from the bottom upwards
Distribute the solution evenly over the vehicle, working from the lower areas towards the top. Ensure suitable coverage without allowing the product to dry.
-
Rinse within one minute
Allow the cleaner to loosen contamination, then rinse thoroughly with a high-pressure cleaner within a maximum of one minute. Do not apply to hot surfaces or allow the solution to dry.
-
Complete the wash
Once the pre-cleaner has been completely rinsed away, inspect the vehicle and continue with a suitable contact shampoo where necessary.
Safety Data
Danger: Koch-Chemie PreFoam Efficient is a strongly alkaline, corrosive cleaning concentrate. The manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet identifies the following hazards:
H290: May be corrosive to metals.
H314: Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Important safety information:
✓ Wear suitable chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing
✓ Wear appropriate eye and face protection
✓ Avoid contact with skin and eyes
✓ Do not breathe vapours or spray mist
✓ Never mix with other cleaning chemicals
✓ If swallowed, rinse mouth and do not induce vomiting
✓ In case of skin or eye contact, rinse immediately with water and seek urgent medical advice
✓ Keep out of reach of children
✓ Store securely in the original container
✓ Follow the current product label and Safety Data Sheet
Safety Data Sheet:
For complete hazard classifications, first-aid instructions and safe handling requirements, download the official Koch-Chemie PreFoam Efficient Safety Data Sheet. Revision: 6 October 2025, article 461999.
Download Koch-Chemie PreFoam Efficient Safety Data Sheet (PDF)