Does Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash rise above the rest in a crowded pre-wash market? PRO Detailer Tips puts this concentrated, caustic, citrus pre-cleaner to the test in this Mile Deep product review.
Mile Deep RELEASE Concentrated Citrus Pre-Wash Product Description
RELEASE is a highly concentrated citrus pre-wash. This powerful cleaner and degreaser is suited to use in heavily soiled areas such as engine bays and lower areas of the vehicle. RELEASE is perfect for removing road film, heavy soiling deposits and bug splatter. It’s an effective cleaner yet gentle on coatings and last stage products such as waxes and sealants, RELEASE is safe to use on painted surface, plastics, rubbers and glass.
About the Mile Deep Brand
Mile Deep was founded in 2019 by two engineers, Jody and Tim. Both of the founders confess to having been completely obsessed with cars whilst growing up. Their subsequent professional automotive careers span over 30 years and cover some of the most well known, high-end, luxury brands.
Mile Deep aim to lead the way in delivering the highest quality, highest performance detailing products. The brand provides concentrated products with no dilution or fillers, stating that ‘ultra-high-end can finally be ultra-high-value’.
The company cuts out waste and are leaders in the use of sustainable energy and materials. Their goal is to deliver peerless quality, performance and value, all the while respecting their customers and the planet.
How to Use Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash
You may think that Snow Foam is the first step in the pre-wash element of a safe car wash. But take a look at our explanation of the two bucket method or our complete guide to safely washing a new car and you’ll see that the ‘Pre-Wash’ step includes products like Snow Foam, TFR and Citrus Pre-Wash.
PRO TIP
Always read the manufacturer instructions before using any chemical product.
When to use RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash
Citrus Pre-Wash products can be used all year round but are most often required during the cold, wet, winter months. During the warmer summer months, some Pre-Wash products, like Mile Deep RELEASE, can be effective at removing baked on bug splatter.
Use RELEASE Citrus Pre-Cleaner before the contact wash stage of your safe, two bucket car wash method. After assembling all of your equipment, wash your wheels and clean your tires first. Next, pre-rinse the car with a pressure washer to remove larger, loose particles of sand, grit and dirt.
Then it’s time for the pre-wash stage of the safe car wash technique. Apply Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash. Allow the citrus pre-wash to dwell for around 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Ease of use of RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash
Mile Deep RELEASE Concentrated Citrus Pre-Wash is very easy to use. RELEASE is a concentrate product so needs to be diluted accordingly, with clean, fresh water:
- 1:1 part water: heavy soiling.
- 1:5 parts water: medium soiling.
- 1:10 parts water: light soiling.
Apply a single coat with a high-quality tripper sprayer bottle or pump sprayer. Spray evenly on to the affected areas, typically the lower third/half of the vehicle. Allow to dwell up to 5 minutes (temperature dependent).Â
Spraying the whole car might be a waste of product. Use Mile Deep RELEASE on the really dirty, grimy areas. Typically the lower half and rear of the vehicle are the worst affected areas.
After approximately five minutes, rinse off with a high-quality pressure washer before moving on to the contact wash stage. The road film, dirt and grime should simply wash away with the water from the pressure washer.
Do not allow to fully air-dry before washing off, taking additional care in direct sunlight and/or higher temperature conditions.
RELEASE can be used undiluted for extreme soiling but may affect less durable Last Stage Products.
Benefits of Using Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash
The primary benefit of using Mile Deep Citrus Pre-Wash is its ability to melt away traffic film, loosen dirt and strip grease & grime chemically, without any contact.Â
RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash uses natural citrus detergents. Citrus oils contain Limonene which acts as a strong degreaser. This ingredient helps to make this pre-wash very effective. The product works particularly well in winter months, in areas where roads are treated with road salt and/or grit to help prevent ice and snow build up.
Instead of removing abrasive dirt and grime with your wash mitt, risking damage to your clear coat, a Citrus Pre-Wash cleans more safely by:
- Using natural citrus detergents.
- Quickly breaks down and removes oil-based and organic contamination.
- Deep-cleans paintwork, trim and glass.
- Colourant and additive-free.
- Friendly to Last Stage Products and finishes.
PRO TIP
Increase the dwell time by adding a layer of ph neutral Snow Foam on top of the Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash.
Mile Deep RELEASE can be used, at higher concentrations, as an effective engine bay cleaner and degreaser. A dedicated engine bay degreaser will likely be more effective, but RELEASE will do a decent job in all but the worst affected engine bays.
Lastly, another big benefit is that Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash is a concentrate product. This means that a 500ml bottle of the product can make up to five litres of pre-wash, suitable for dealing with light soiling.
Value for Money of Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash
Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash is a concentrated product. This means that it needs diluting with fresh, clean water before use. RELEASE costs $10.00 for a 500ml bottle, which is extremely good value for money. To clean the lower sections of the average sized car, with medium soiling would use approximately 50ml of product (added to 200-250ml water). This puts the cost per application at just $1.00 which is a very low. RELEASE is also available in a 5 liter container for a cost of $40.00. This then puts the cost per application at an amazingly low $0.40.
Mile Deep Packaging
British brand Mile Deep has some very high quality packaging and labelling. Mile Deep RELEASE Concentrated Citrus Pre-Wash is packaged in smart black plastic Boston Roll Top bottles with lime green child-proof lids.Â
The bottle labels are clear and easy to read, with simple instructions. The safety information is basic but adequate.
Conclusion
I’ve tested Mile Deep RELEASE Citrus Pre-Wash on several different types of vehicles, at different times of the year. It is very effective at dissolving road film, bug splatter and winter road grime. It’s also a decent tire cleaner and fender liner cleaner, which I use regularly as part of my wheel cleaning routine.
On the negative side it’s a caustic pre-cleaner, with no colour or scent. Caustic products aren’t dangerous, but the labelling really should make this clear. The lack of scent and colour makes the experience of using the product less pleasing for me. Maybe I’m just a sucker for a sweet scent?
On the positive side, I like the fact that RELEASE is a concentrate. This makes it a very good value proposition. I like being able to look at the vehicle I’m about to detail, assess its needs, then mix my Pre-wash accordingly. RELEASE is a very good as a Pre-Wash but during harsh winter conditions, I did find it necessary to up the concentration from the guidance given.
Would I buy this product again? Yes.
There are better, more effective Citrus Pre-Wash products on the market, but few that offer this amount of ‘Bang for Buck’. As a value proposition, it’s hard to beat.