Yum Cars Yum Citrus | Citrus Pre-Wash & Bug Remover

Yum Citrus is the first chemical on the car. A strong, concentrated citrus pre-wash, it is sprayed on the dirtiest areas (lower doors, sills, rear bumper and front end) to release dirt, grease, grime and bugs before the snow foam goes on.

The chemistry

Yum Cars describe Citrus as a strong, concentrated cleaner designed to remove and release dirt, grease, grime and bugs prior to the wash, and state the citrus extract content is 21%. The Safety Data Sheet shows cleaning builders and a phosphate sequestrant that break down oily road film and soften insect remains, amphoteric and non-ionic surfactants that lift the loosened soil, and a chelating agent for hard water. A pre-wash like this does the heavy lifting chemically, so the contact wash that follows needs far less scrubbing, and less scrubbing means fewer swirl marks.

Use it for

Pre-washing lower panels, bug removal from bumpers and mirrors, door jambs, panel gaps and engine bay touch-ups. Yum Cars state it is safe on clear coat finishes, door jambs, engine bays and rubbers.

Not for use on wrapped vehicles. That is Yum Cars' own instruction.

Dilution guide

How much Yum Citrus to put in your sprayer, written the way you actually mix it: millilitres of product, then water to the 1 litre line. Ratios read the simple way — 1:10 means 100ml to the litre. The dirtier the car, the more you use.

These are Yum Cars' own recommended dilutions. Keep the neat and equal-parts strength for the worst spots — bug-covered front ends, sills, wheel arches — rather than the whole car, and never let it dry on the paint.

How to use

Dilute to suit the job. Spray liberally onto the lower panels, allow a short dwell, then apply Yum Foam over the top and rinse. Do not use in strong direct sunlight and never allow it to dry on the vehicle, which matters in an Australian summer: work in the shade, a section at a time.

Common questions

What dilution should I use?
Yum Cars recommend 1:5 to 1:10 for general maintenance washes (100 to 200ml, then water to the litre line), 1:20 for very well-kept cars (50ml to the litre), and neat or equal parts only for heavy contamination.

Does it remove bugs?
Yes. Bug removal is one of the uses Yum Cars list. Spray, give it a short dwell, then foam and rinse. Do not let it dry.

Can I use it on a wrapped car?
No. Yum Cars state it is not for use on wrapped vehicles.

Good to know

Available in 500ml and 5 litre. This is a concentrated cleaner: wear gloves and eye protection when decanting, avoid skin contact, and keep it out of reach of children.

See the full Yum Cars range laid out in wash order.

Genuine Yum Cars, supplied through the Australian distributor · Alpha Details Melbourne