In the LUXI system this washing is done with iClean — a mildly alkaline concentrate for ultrasonic washing after polishing. Its role is to help remove residues of polishing compounds and workshop contamination after work, without turning washing into an aggressive attack on the surface.

When this workflow is needed

Use this workflow after LUXI polishing when residues of compound, removed metal, wheel contamination or a film remain on the item and need to be removed before final inspection, delivery to the customer or coating.

Typical cases:

  • washing after the first LUXI polishing stage;
  • washing after final polishing;
  • removing compound residues from relief, settings and hard-to-reach areas;
  • preparing the item for final inspection under light;
  • preparing the surface before decorative or electroplated coating.

What is used

Basic washing setup:

iClean + water + ultrasonic bath

The usual working dilution for iClean is 1:10–1:20 with water. Bath temperature is around 50 °C. For items polished with LUXI, a short washing cycle of about 30 seconds is often enough. In more difficult cases the time can be increased carefully, but normally not beyond 1 minute without a separate check.

If the item was polished with a non-LUXI compound, those residues may clean differently. In that case, choose the time and mode experimentally, starting with a short cycle and intermediate inspection.

How to work

Before ultrasonic washing, remove loose compound residues if this can be done without damaging the item. Prepare the iClean solution at a suitable concentration, warm the bath to about 50 °C and use a short cycle.

After the short washing cycle, rinse and dry the item. Check the result under light. If compound residues remain, first evaluate the reason: overloaded wheel, excess compound, complex relief, porosity, settings or a very hard-to-reach area. Do not automatically increase washing time.

What to control

Control:

  • time in the ultrasonic bath;
  • solution temperature;
  • iClean concentration;
  • surface condition after washing;
  • compound residues in relief and settings;
  • reaction of coatings, stones, enamel, glued inserts and other sensitive elements.

Excessive ultrasonic washing can damage the surface through cavitation. Work especially carefully with silver, coatings, enamel, stones, glued inserts and items of unknown construction.

When to stop

Stop and review the workflow if:

  • the surface becomes cloudy after washing;
  • the lustre noticeably deteriorates;
  • a milky surface appears on silver;
  • coating, enamel, stones or inserts start reacting to washing;
  • compound residues remain even after a repeated short washing cycle;
  • the problem is being compensated by excessive time or temperature.

In such cases, check not only washing but also the previous stages: amount of compound, wheel cleanliness, type of compound, item relief and finish quality.

Next step

If the issue is excess compound or an overloaded wheel, use “Wheel preparation and minimal LUXI compound application.”

If the item is being prepared for coating, use “Preparation before electroplating and coatings.”

If surface defects appear after washing, return to “Surface preparation before LUXI” or to the relevant polishing route.