What is an MSDS and how do you read it? A chemical guide for detailers

You've probably noticed the small symbols on the back of your car care products – diamonds with pictograms, hazard warnings, and long strings of cautionary measures. It's all tied to the MSDS, a document full of chemical data. Whether you're a seasoned detailer or just starting out, understanding MSDS sheets is one of the most underrated skills in car care. Here's why are MSDS so important, and how to read them.

What is an MSDS?

MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet – known in more recent EU terminology as an SDS (Safety Data Sheet), though the older abbreviation remains widely used.

MSDS is a standardised document that provides detailed information about a chemical product: its composition, physical and chemical properties, potential hazards, safe handling and storage instructions, first aid measures, and disposal guidelines.

In the context of car care, every product you apply to your vehicle – from a pH-neutral shampoo to an iron remover or a ceramic coating – is a chemical formulation, and each one comes with an MSDS that tells the full story behind that product. Think of it as the instruction manual that most people never read, but really should.

Why MSDS matters for detailers – and why PPE is not optional

Professional detailers work with chemicals day in, day out. Degreasers, iron removers, ceramic coatings – many of these contain compounds that can irritate the skin, damage the eyes, or release fumes that are unpleasant at best and harmful at worst, particularly in enclosed spaces such as garages. Even for enthusiasts who detail their own car on a weekend, repeated exposure to certain substances without protection adds up over time.

This is why gloves and eye protection are not accessories or an overreaction – they're a basic precaution backed by the very documents printed on the back of every bottle you own. The MSDS will tell you precisely which precautions apply to a given product: whether nitrile or latex gloves are recommended, whether eye protection is required, whether you need ventilation, and what to do if something goes wrong. Reading it once could make a real difference.

The GHS hazard pictograms explained

The diamond-shaped pictograms you see on the back of car care products are part of the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals. Each one communicates a specific type of hazard at a glance. Here's what each symbol means:

GHS01 – Explosive

This symbol indicates products that are explosive, self-reactive, or can detonate under certain conditions. Rare in everyday car care, but occasionally relevant for highly pressurised aerosol products or certain concentrated compounds.

GHS02 – Flammable

One of the more commonly seen symbols in car care. Products marked with this pictogram – including many solvent-based cleaners, degreasers, and spray coatings – are flammable or combustible. Keep them away from open flames, sparks, and heat sources, and never use them near a running engine or in a poorly ventilated space.

GHS03 – Oxidising

Oxidising substances can intensify a fire or cause combustion when they come into contact with other materials. In car care, this symbol may appear on certain heavy-duty wheel cleaners or stain removers containing oxidising agents.

GHS04 – Compressed gas

This symbol appears on products stored under pressure – typically aerosols. The hazard isn't necessarily chemical; a pressurised container that's punctured, overheated, or dropped can rupture. Store aerosols away from heat and never incinerate them, even when empty.

GHS05 – Corrosive

Corrosive products can damage living tissue on contact and may also corrode metals. In the detailing world, this symbol may appear on acidic wheel cleaners, certain tar removers, or alkaline degreasers used at high concentrations. Gloves and eye protection are essential when handling anything carrying this symbol.

GHS06 – Acute toxicity

The skull and crossbones indicates a product that is acutely toxic – harmful or fatal if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. Products bearing this symbol require strict precautions and should always be kept out of reach of children. Fortunately, it's uncommon in consumer-grade car care products.

GHS07 – Harmful / Irritant

One of the most frequently seen symbols in everyday car care. It indicates products that may cause skin or eye irritation, mild toxicity, or respiratory irritation. Most shampoos, interior cleaners and general-purpose sprays that carry a warning carry this one. It doesn't mean the product is dangerous in normal use – it means you should follow the instructions, avoid prolonged skin contact, and wash your hands after use.

GHS08 – Health hazard

This symbol covers a broad range of longer-term or more serious health effects: respiratory sensitisation, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, and similar concerns. In car care, it may appear on products containing certain solvents or silicone compounds. It's a signal to take ventilation seriously and not to use the product in enclosed spaces without adequate airflow.

GHS09 – Environmental hazard

The tree and fish symbol indicates that a product is harmful to aquatic life or the wider environment. This is a reminder to dispose of product residues responsibly – don't rinse large quantities of concentrated chemicals directly into drains or waterways, and always follow local disposal guidelines.

A sad reality: MSDS access in the car care industry

Here's an uncomfortable truth about the car care market: a surprisingly large number of manufacturers do not make MSDS sheets easily accessible to their customers – neither in their online shops nor on their product packaging. For most consumers, the hazard pictograms on the bottle are as far as the safety information goes. This is a missed opportunity at best, and a genuine concern for anyone using these products regularly. Knowing what's in a product, how to handle it safely, and what to do in an emergency shouldn't require a special request or a lengthy search.

Soft99 takes a different approach. Every product in the Soft99 range has its MSDS publicly available through a dedicated platform – info.soft99.eu – where you can access full safety data sheets in all the languages of the regions where Soft99 products are sold. Whether you're a professional detailer in Germany, a car enthusiast in Iceland, or a retailer in Poland, the information is there, in your language, at no cost and with no barriers. It's a small thing that makes a meaningful difference.

JIS certification: when a certificate is a guarantee

One of the less well-known aspects of Soft99's product development is its relationship with the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee – the JISC – which oversees the JIS certification system. JIS is a national certification framework that is unique in the world of chemical consumer products: it requires that every claim made on a product's packaging or in its description must be backed by laboratory test results conducted under controlled conditions. There are no exceptions and no grey areas. If a product says it protects for 12 months, that figure comes from a certified test, not a marketing meeting.

For consumers, this matters because it means that a JIS-certified product is not just effective – it is verifiably, provably effective, to a standard overseen by a government body. In a market where many brands make bold claims with little to no supporting evidence, the JIS certificate is a meaningful differentiator. A product that has earned it has been held to a higher standard at every stage of its development. And a product that is rigorously tested for performance is, almost by definition, a product that has also been rigorously tested for safety. The two go hand in hand.

Summary

MSDS sheets, GHS symbols and certifications might not be the most exciting part of car care – but they're among the most important. Understanding what's on the back of your products, wearing the right protection, and choosing brands that are transparent about their formulas isn't just good practice. It's the foundation of responsible detailing. At Soft99, that transparency is built into everything we do.