The Complete Koch Chemie Guide
Koch Chemie colour-codes every label by job, so once you can read the colours you can read the range. This guide covers the Koch Chemie range we stock in Australia: by colour, by stage of the wash and by type of car, with Koch's own pH, dilution and cut figures. It ends with what to buy first.
Koch Chemie is a German manufacturer of professional vehicle care chemistry, founded in 1968 and based in Unna. We stock the full range at our Heidelberg West studio and use it on customer cars. The figures below are Koch's own, taken from their technical data sheets and labels; where they publish no number, we say so rather than guess. Every order we send out includes the printed leaflets we design in-house.
Coated or PPF car: Gentle Snow Foam (pH 7.5) to pre-wash, then Reactivation Shampoo when the beading fades. Top up with S0.03 Hydro Foam or Quick & Shine.
Uncoated daily driver: Active Foam (pH 9.5) to pre-wash, Ceramic Effect Shampoo to wash, Reactive Rust Remover every few months.
Wheels: Magic Wheel Cleaner or WheelKing, with an acid-resistant wheel brush.
Polishing: H9.02 → F6.01 → M3.02, then Panel Prep Spray before protection.
Interior: Pol Star (pH 7) for fabric, leather and Alcantara, InsideUp then InsideCare for plastics.
Read the label colour first
Every Koch Chemie label carries a colour band, and the colour is the product family. Koch call it their ProductSystem. Green is an alkaline cleaner, yellow a shampoo, red an acid or rim cleaner, black is for body and paint. On a shelf of white bottles with German abbreviations on them, that is the fastest way to tell what you are holding.
The polish names are a code too. The letter is the grade (H for heavy cut, F for fine cut, M for micro cut) and the number tracks the cut on Koch's own scale: the H9 compounds rate Cut 9.0, F6.01 rates 6.0 and M3.02 rates 3.2. Koch also publish a gloss figure for each polish, which is how you can see that H9.02 finishes better than H9.01 at the same cut. The waxes and sealants start with S0, and Koch rate S0.01 at Cut 0. Our pH guide explains why alkaline, acidic and neutral products each remove a different kind of dirt.
Independent paint-safety testing on specific products. Koch publish VDA test results for some of their pre-washes. VDA is the German automotive industry association, and its test checks that a cleaner does not damage paint at a stated dilution and dwell time. Active Foam and Vorreiniger B are both rated VDA Class A by Koch. The rating belongs to the product, at that dilution, so we name it only where Koch do. Several products also carry a Daimler approval, which we note below.
The systemThe Koch Chemie routine, stage by stage
Not every car needs every stage. A coated car washed fortnightly might only see stages 1, 2 and 7. A neglected car heading for correction goes through all of them. Ratios are product to water, from Koch's own sheets.
Which Koch Chemie products for your car
Ceramic-coated car
Keep the routine neutral most of the time. Gentle Snow Foam is pH 7.5 on Koch's sheet: about 20 ml per litre in the foam cannon bottle, or about 50 ml in a 10 L bucket as a hand wash. When the water stops beading, the coating is usually buried under minerals rather than worn out. Reactivation Shampoo is Koch's answer: a pH 1 concentrate that works at around pH 3 at its 1:200 dilution, dissolving the mineral film without being harsh on the coating when used as directed. For water spots on a coated car, Spotless Ceramic Finish is made for coated surfaces. Our acid shampoo comparison and snow foam pH comparison put these against other brands.
Uncoated daily driver
Active Foam is the step up from a neutral foam: pH 9.5, so it lifts more traffic film, and Koch rate it VDA Class A for a dwell of up to five minutes at the correct dilution. Wash with Ceramic Effect Shampoo at 1:200, which leaves a protective layer as it cleans. Every few months, run Reactive Rust Remover over the paint and wheels. For a sealant without a coating, S0.02 Spray Sealant goes on in minutes; S0.01 Finishing Wax is the longer-lasting hand option.
Paint protection film, wraps and matte paint
Keep to the neutral products: Gentle Snow Foam and a pH-neutral wash. Be careful with the orange-label solvents. Eulex, Tea and Orange Power are solvents, and Koch make them for solvent-resistant surfaces; test them on a hidden area of film or wrap first, and follow the film maker's care instructions. Our PPF care guide has the full routine.
Neglected car or paint correction
Work through every stage. Pre-wash with Vorreiniger B for heavy road film: pH 13.1, rated by Koch VDA Class A at 1:300 for up to five minutes and Class B at 1:30 for up to one minute, so the dilution and dwell matter. Decontaminate with Reactive Rust Remover, then Eulex or Tea for tar and adhesive, then clay. The blue clay is the mild grade; the red clay is the heavy grade and carries Koch's "not for new paint" warning. Use Clay Spray as the lubricant. Then polish: H9.02 to cut, F6.01 to refine, M3.02 or M2.02 to finish, and Panel Prep Spray to strip polish oils before protection goes on.
Wheels and tyres
Magic Wheel Cleaner uses the same iron-binding chemistry as Reactive Rust Remover. Koch call it an acid-free rim cleaner; it measures pH 5–6 on their safety data sheet, which lists no fluoride compounds. Fluoride-based rim cleaners are the ones that etch clearcoat and polished lips. WheelKing is Koch's colour-change wheel cleaner without aggressive acids; Koch state it is safe on ceramic-sealed rims. Dress the tyres and trim with Plast Star, which is silicone-oil-free and carries a Daimler approval. Pair the wheel cleaners with a chemical-resistant brush such as the wheel brush set or the softer wool set.
Interior
Pol Star is the concentrated pH 7 cleaner for fabric, leather and Alcantara: 1:5 to 1:20 depending on how soiled the surface is. On hard plastics, clean with InsideUp first, then protect with InsideCare, which leaves a satin-matt factory finish with UV protection. Leather gets LeatherTexClean for regular cleaning and COLOURLOCK Leather Care or Protect Leather Care afterwards. Seal fabric with ST0.01, which Koch rate at up to 24 months, or about 50 wash cycles at 30 °C, depending on the fibre and wear.
Every productThe full range, product by product
Pre-wash
GSF Gentle Snow Foam: thick, clinging pH 7.5 foam for coated, waxed and PPF cars. About 20 ml per litre in the foam cannon bottle; about 50 ml to 10 L as a hand-wash shampoo.
AF Active Foam: mildly alkaline pre-wash foam, pH 9.5, phosphate-free, rated VDA Class A by Koch for up to five minutes' dwell at the correct dilution. A concentrate: undiluted to 1:10 through a dosing pump, about 1:300 as a hand wash.
VB Vorreiniger B: high-foaming alkaline pre-cleaner, pH 13.1, phosphate-free, with corrosion inhibitors. VDA Class A at 1:300 for up to 5 minutes, Class B at 1:30 for up to 1 minute, and tested to ÖNORM 5106. Roughly 1:30–1:50 for pre-cleaning and 1:3–1:10 on wheels. Wear gloves and eye protection.
Contact wash
CES Ceramic Effect Shampoo: wash-and-protect shampoo, pH 6, 1:200, about 50 ml to a 10 L bucket.
RS Reactivation Shampoo: acidic, strong-foaming shampoo for coated cars. pH 1 as a concentrate, around pH 3 at the recommended 1:200. Koch suggest an alkaline pre-clean first on a heavily soiled car.
NanoMagic Shampoo: protective shampoo at a Koch-stated pH 5.
Exterior Wash Mitt: 640 gsm microfibre mitt for the contact wash.
Wheels
MWC Magic Wheel Cleaner: thick, clinging rim cleaner on iron-binding chemistry, pH 5–6 on Koch's SDS, which lists no fluoride compounds. Koch call it acid-free. It turns red as it reacts. Wear gloves and eye protection.
WheelKing: colour-change wheel cleaner without aggressive acids, for alloy, steel and chrome rims. Koch state it is safe on ceramic-sealed rims.
ReactiveWheelCleaner: acid-free rim cleaner with a red indicator and gloss additives, pH 5–6 on Koch's SDS. Spray on undiluted and leave 1–3 minutes, up to 10 for heavy dirt.
Decontamination
RRR Reactive Rust Remover: iron remover that works by chelation rather than acid attack, pH 7–8. Its active is a thioglycolate (ammonium mercaptoacetate). Spray neat on paint, glass and wheels; it turns violet as it reacts. Wear gloves and eye protection.
EU Eulex: fast-evaporating solvent for adhesive, tar, tree sap, rubber marks and overspray, with no halogenated hydrocarbons and a Daimler approval. Apply neat to a dry cloth.
Tea Teerwäsche A: ready-to-use solvent tar and bitumen remover for the black specks along sills and lower doors.
OP Orange Power: citrus (d-limonene) solvent cleaner for adhesive, tree sap, tar, gum and ink, with no halogenated hydrocarbons.
InsectOff: softens dried insect residue so it rinses off after a short dwell.
RKB clay (blue) and RKR clay (red): mild and heavy cleaning clay. Red is not for new or delicate paint.
CLS Clay Spray: ready-to-use clay lubricant.
Polishing
Koch rate every polish for cut and gloss on their own scale. Koch make all six without silicone oils.
Pads: the Heavy Cut pad for compounding and the Fine Cut pad for refining. Metal Polish is for chrome and bare metal, not aluminium or anodised parts.
Preparation and protection
PPS Panel Preparation Spray: alcohol-based, ready-to-use wipe that removes oils, waxes and polish residue before protection.
S0.01 Finishing Wax: Cut 0, Gloss 9.2, the highest gloss in Koch's wax range; Koch state protection lasts for months.
S0.02 Spray Sealant: ready-to-use spray sealant for gloss, colour depth and beading.
S0.03 Hydro Foam Sealant: sealant concentrate applied to the cleaned, still-wet car, 1:50 to 1:150 through a foam or pump sprayer. Mix it fresh each time.
Carnauba Wax (Hand Wax W0.01): 175 ml paste wax for hand application.
Maintenance between washes
Quick & Shine: detailer with a lotus effect that leaves a water- and dirt-repellent layer, preserves existing wax or sealant, and carries a Daimler approval.
JustPerfect: quick detailer that Koch class as a sealant, leaving a thin protective layer as it cleans.
Quick Finish: silicone-oil-free clean-and-seal spray for paint, glass, trim and stainless steel.
FSE Finish Spray Exterior: ready-to-use detailer that also removes fresh water spots and limescale.
SCF Spotless Ceramic Finish: water spot and limescale remover made for ceramic-coated surfaces. Compared in our water spot remover comparison.
Tyres, trim and engine bay
PSS Plast Star: silicone-oil-free micro-emulsion dressing for exterior plastic, rubber and tyres, with a semi-matt finish and a Daimler approval.
Nano Magic Plast Care: restores faded exterior plastic and rubber trim and leaves a protective layer. Koch say not to use it on pedals, steering wheels or tyres.
Rubber Refresher: water-based, silicone-oil-free dressing for rubber and plastic. Use neat.
MP Motorplast: engine bay conserver that dries to a non-greasy elastic film, applies to wet or dry surfaces, and carries a Daimler approval.
All-purpose cleaners
GS Green Star: phosphate- and solvent-free alkaline all-purpose cleaner, pH 12.5. 1:5 to 1:30 on engine bays and exterior surfaces, 1:10 to 1:20 on interiors.
ASC Allround Surface Cleaner: ready-to-use cleaner for smooth surfaces that leaves no water marks.
MZR Mehrzweckreiniger: alkaline intensive cleaner for oil, grease, ink, soot and nicotine, 1:5 to 1:50, with a Daimler approval.
Interior, leather and glass
PO Pol Star: concentrated pH 7 cleaner for textile, leather and Alcantara, 1:5 to 1:20.
TS Top Star: ready-to-use dressing for interior plastics, trim, rubber and dashboards.
InsideUp and InsideCare: clean, then UV-protect, unpainted interior plastics.
Multi Interior Cleaner: ready-to-use spray for upholstery, fabric, plastic trim and roof linings.
GUF Gummifix: silicone-oil-free, non-slip care for rubber mats and pedals.
LeatherTexClean: mild cleaner for pigmented leather and textiles.
LS Leather Star, Protect Leather Care and COLOURLOCK Leather Care: leather conditioners. COLOURLOCK has been part of the Koch Chemie group since 2023.
ST0.01 Textile Sealant and TexLock: textile sealants. ST0.01 is free of solvents and fluorocarbon resins.
TEX Tinten- & Kuli-Ex: ink and ballpoint remover for solvent-resistant textiles; not for artificial leather or plastics.
GC Glass Cleaner Pro: non-alcohol glass cleaner that is also safe on screens and gloss-black panels. Speed Glass Cleaner is the ready-to-use alternative.
FU Fresh Up: encapsulates odour molecules from smoke and animals before it adds fragrance.
Koch's concentrates are only as good as the dilution. The 1 L spray head and bottle has a printed dilution scale and a metered 1.2 ml spray, and the interior and exterior brush sets are colour-coded, with an acid-resistant red brush for wheels.
Which Koch Chemie products to buy first
A pre-wash to match the car. Gentle Snow Foam for a coated or PPF car, Active Foam for an uncoated one.
Ceramic Effect Shampoo. At 1:200, 50 ml does a 10 L bucket, and it adds protection as it washes.
Green Star. One concentrate for engine bays, door shuts, tyres and interiors, diluted to the job.
Magic Wheel Cleaner and a wheel brush.
Reactive Rust Remover once you are ready to decontaminate, then the polishes when the paint needs correcting.
Not sure what your car needs?
Tell us the car, the finish and how you wash it, and we'll put together the Koch Chemie routine.
What is Koch Chemie?
Koch Chemie is a German maker of professional vehicle care chemistry, based in Unna and operating since 1968. Its range covers pre-washes, shampoos, wheel cleaners, decontamination, polishes, waxes and sealants, and interior care, with every label colour-coded by product family.
Where can I buy Koch Chemie in Australia?
Alpha Details stocks the full Koch Chemie range at our Heidelberg West studio in Melbourne, with Australia-wide shipping.
What do the colours on Koch Chemie labels mean?
Each colour is a product family: green alkaline cleaners, yellow shampoos, red acid and rim cleaners, orange solvents, black body and paint, khaki driers and conservers, grey exterior rubber and plastics, teal leather and interior plastics, blue glass and water processing, and magenta fragrances.
What do the numbers on Koch Chemie polishes mean?
The letter is the grade (H heavy cut, F fine cut, M micro cut) and the number tracks the cut on Koch's own scale. H9.02 is a heavy cut rated Cut 9.0, Gloss 6.0; M3.02 is a finishing polish rated Cut 3.2, Gloss 9.0.
Is Koch Chemie Gentle Snow Foam safe on ceramic coatings?
Gentle Snow Foam is pH 7.5 on Koch's sheet, which suits coated, waxed and PPF cars. For a coating whose beading has faded, Koch make Reactivation Shampoo to remove the mineral film.
Which Koch Chemie product should I buy first?
Start with a pre-wash that suits the car (Gentle Snow Foam for coated or PPF, Active Foam for uncoated), Ceramic Effect Shampoo, Green Star as the all-purpose cleaner, and Magic Wheel Cleaner.
Product figures are Koch Chemie's own, from their technical data sheets, safety data sheets, labels and koch-chemie.com, as listed on each product page in our store.