A refractometer is an optical instrument that measures the refractive index of a liquid, which correlates directly with dissolved solute concentration. In car wash operations, it is the quickest and most practical way to verify that your dosing pump is delivering the correct dilution ratio.
How to use it:
- Calibrate with distilled water (should read 0.0 Brix).
- Place a few drops of your working solution on the prism.
- Close the cover plate and read the Brix scale through the eyepiece.
- Compare the reading to the product’s reference chart (provided on the technical data sheet or Safety Data Sheet).
Why it matters:
Chemical concentration drifts over time due to pump wear, temperature changes, and supply pressure variations. A weekly refractometer check catches dosing errors before they become costly — either through wasted product or poor wash quality. Digital refractometers offer higher precision and eliminate subjective reading errors.
For concentrated products like Fortis Foam PRO, even a small deviation in concentration can shift the pH significantly. Regular verification is a best practice recommended in our guide on dosing mistakes.