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Why experienced motorists buy silica gel balls every spring?

  • May 2, 2022
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Lately, drivers have increasingly started to buy silica gel balls. They are especially popular with experienced drivers who drive used cars of different years. The AvtoVzglyad portal explains

Lately, drivers have increasingly started to buy silica gel balls. They are especially popular with experienced drivers who drive used cars of different years. The AvtoVzglyad portal explains why silica gel is so attractive and what problems it helps to avoid.

Let’s start with some chemistry. Silica gel is a dried gel of polysilicic acid, a solid adsorbent. In its structure, it represents a highly porous body formed by the smallest spherical particles. These light-colored balls are usually used to absorb water vapor and organic solvents, which is very convenient for motorists.

For example, if it is necessary to keep the humidity in the car interior at an acceptable level, silica gel granules are poured into bags of low-density cloth. This allows vapors to be absorbed more easily. These bags are placed in inconspicuous places to reduce embarrassment to passengers. For example under the seats or in the trunk. When the filler changes color, it is replaced with a new one.

But the main advantage of these balls is still different. Many are familiar with the situation where dampness or even wetness is felt under the rugs in the spring. In the future, this threatens the car owner with serious problems. Judge yourself. Water accumulates under the floor covering. It does not only become the cause of corrosion of the body and thresholds. Moisture is the enemy of electricity. But under the cladding wires and power cables are laid. In the BMW 3-series, for example, the battery is located in the trunk, so that the power cable runs through the body into the engine compartment. If the moisture from under the carpet is not removed for a long time, the cable will simply rot and problems with starting the engine will begin. But that is not everything. On many models, there are many different wiring connectors under the trim. If rust “gnaws” them with moisture, not only the wiring harnesses, but also various electronic components must be replaced. And now it can become a very serious problem.

Therefore, it is better to buy a penny of silica gel in advance and pour it under the car floor trim. Two kilograms of such balls can absorb up to one liter of moisture. So with them under the floor it will always be dry, and this is the key to longevity, both for electricians and for the body.

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Let’s start with some chemistry. Silica gel is a dried gel of polysilicic acid, a solid adsorbent. In its structure, it represents a highly porous body formed by the smallest spherical particles. These light-colored balls are usually used to absorb water vapor and organic solvents, which is very convenient for motorists.

For example, if it is necessary to keep the humidity in the car interior at an acceptable level, silica gel granules are poured into bags of low-density cloth. This allows vapors to be absorbed more easily. These bags are placed in inconspicuous places to reduce embarrassment to passengers. For example under the seats or in the trunk. When the filler changes color, it is replaced with a new one.

But the main advantage of these balls is still different. Many are familiar with the situation where dampness or even wetness is felt under the rugs in the spring. In the future, this threatens the car owner with serious problems. Judge yourself. Water accumulates under the floor covering. It does not only become the cause of corrosion of the body and thresholds. Moisture is the enemy of electricity. But under the cladding wires and power cables are laid. In the BMW 3-series, for example, the battery is located in the trunk, so that the power cable runs through the body into the engine compartment. If the moisture from under the carpet is not removed for a long time, the cable will simply rot and problems with starting the engine will begin. But that is not everything. On many models, there are many different wiring connectors under the trim. If rust “gnaws” them with moisture, not only the wiring harnesses, but also various electronic components must be replaced. And now it can become a very serious problem.

Therefore, it is better to buy a penny of silica gel in advance and pour it under the car floor trim. Two kilograms of such balls can absorb up to one liter of moisture. So with them under the floor it will always be dry, and this is the key to longevity, both for electricians and for the body.

Source: Avto Vzglyad

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