On the hunt for a new car wash soap.

BryanH

BryanH

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This is definitely a "101" level topic. :) I've done some reading on the subject and still have questions.

With some of the discussion recently around D114 preserving LSP behavior, I've become interested in a regular wash for my 2 bucket method that leaves nothing behind and lets my LSP dictate surface behavior (be it looks, slickness, water beading or what have you).

I used Meguiars Gold Class for many many years, then tried Optimum Car Wash a few years ago. I loved the smell and the slippery feel but found I had to use a lot of product (I have hard water here) and it didn't seem to clean tough stuff as well as Gold Class. More recently I tried DG901 and fell in love with it, but it doesn't fit in with my quest to "leave nothing behind."

It's a little challenging getting to the bottom of whether or not some soaps leave anything behind, but I have a list of some products sold here at AG that I *believe* may fit the bill:


  • Ultima Paint Guard
  • CarPro Reset
  • McKee's Xtreme Foam
  • Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo
  • Griot's Brilliant Finish Car Wash
  • 3D Pink
  • Meguiars Hyper Wash

What's your experience? Any recommendations for me? My most important criteria are:

- Good cleaning power
- High lubricity
- Will not negatively affect LSP longevity even at higher dilution ratios
- Low cost per wash and a pleasant scent are big bonuses.

I have a sample of Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo to try for my next wash, thanks to the free sample program here at AG. :props:
 
Just short of your last bullet point - cost per was - which I've never compared, Reset is my go to wash.
Depending on your water conditions, I use about 1.5 - 1.75 oz per bucket.

Other soaps are you list I've used and some are 1oz per gallon
 
Are you just washing your own vehicle?

I have a ridiculous number of bottles of car wash shampoo. I count 17 at a quick glance. Sonax Car Wash Shampoo is probably what I'd recommend.

You have tough set of requirements.
 
Hyper wash is almost perfect IMO, just rinses a little harder than most. other than that it does everything I want a soap to do. Optimum is pretty good also.
 
Chemical Guys Clean Slate really leaves the least behind. Some people say it will strip wax and sealants, but I have seen videos that prove that is not the case.
 
I have been happy with the McKees extreme foam. 3D HD Speed wash is also a really nice soap.
 
I use Griots Brilliant Finish and really like it....that being said, I have some McKees extreme foam on the way thanks to the last sale here.
 
My two favorites on your list are Reset and Ultima. Both leave nothing behind and rinse clean. Ultima is often overlooked because of its cost, but catch it on sale and you will like it. Ultima is more concentrated than most soaps I have used so you actually use less. On a coated car I feel it is very important to use a soap that rinses clean so it does not interfere with the coating doing its job. On a car with wax or a sealant it's not as important to use a clean rinsing soap(imho).
 
I like hyper wash havent really had any problems out of it and it works great in the foam cannon so i have never switched to anything else since i started using it.
 
CarPro Reset. 2oz per 5 gallon wash bucket is what I use and it works great.
 
Meguair's Gold Class is all I will use. Excellent stuff.

Wolfgang Uber or CarPro ECH20 for Rinseless.

Extra hard water.....mix in a little rinseless with the Gold Class.
 
oboroballa03 said:
I like hyper wash havent really had any problems out of it and it works great in the foam cannon so i have never switched to anything else since i started using it.
Click to expand...

yep, excels in the foam cannon. good all around. there is a reason it is in the retailer line! pro grade like most of the stuff in that line and the Mirror glaze one.
 
I like Optimum Car Wash. Love the smell as well as its cleaning abilities. I've seen Griot's on clearance at AA. FYI.
 
jshaf said:
yep, there is a reason it is in the retailer line!
Click to expand...

Detailer line*

As far as the soaps on your list, 3D Pink Soap is ok, the scent is it's weakest point. It does ok as far as not messing with your lsp, but IMO there's something about it, either it doesn't rinse off as easily as you'd wish, or it's too harsh of a cleaner... Reason I say that is because while it doesn't affect your lsp, it sort of degrades it faster than I'd wish. I think it has to do with the overall quality of the ingredients used to make it, after all you get what you pay for... I think it definitely applies in this case.

I'm really curious how Carpro Reset performs, and whether it blows it out of the water. I might try it next time I buy soap.



Sent from my iPhone
 
Meguiar's Hyper Wash. I used a lot of Gold Class as well, but like you mentioned had to use a lot of it. Hyper Wash seems much more concentrated.
 
BryanH said:
This is definitely a "101" level topic. :) I've done some reading on the subject and still have questions.

With some of the discussion recently around D114 preserving LSP behavior, I've become interested in a regular wash for my 2 bucket method that leaves nothing behind and lets my LSP dictate surface behavior (be it looks, slickness, water beading or what have you).

I used Meguiars Gold Class for many many years, then tried Optimum Car Wash a few years ago. I loved the smell and the slippery feel but found I had to use a lot of product (I have hard water here) and it didn't seem to clean tough stuff as well as Gold Class. More recently I tried DG901 and fell in love with it, but it doesn't fit in with my quest to "leave nothing behind."

It's a little challenging getting to the bottom of whether or not some soaps leave anything behind, but I have a list of some products sold here at AG that I *believe* may fit the bill:


  • Ultima Paint Guard
  • CarPro Reset
  • McKee's Xtreme Foam
  • Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo
  • Griot's Brilliant Finish Car Wash
  • 3D Pink
  • Meguiars Hyper Wash

What's your experience? Any recommendations for me? My most important criteria are:

- Good cleaning power
- High lubricity
- Will not negatively affect LSP longevity even at higher dilution ratios
- Low cost per wash and a pleasant scent are big bonuses.

I have a sample of Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo to try for my next wash, thanks to the free sample program here at AG. :props:
Click to expand...

Based on what you have listed, Reset, Hyper Wash and McKee's will suit your needs. All 3 are great and I enjoy using them.

Mantilgh said:
Rupes M101 is another that's not supposed to leave anything behind and is supposed to rinse away easily.

RUPES M101 High Concentrated Detailing Shampoo
Click to expand...

Good stuff. Does not foam well in a foam gun but it's not intended for that. Behaves a bit different as well when using it. Looks like there is not soap on the paint when using the mitt.

pdqgp said:
Meguair's Gold Class is all I will use. Excellent stuff.

Wolfgang Uber or CarPro ECH20 for Rinseless.

Extra hard water.....mix in a little rinseless with the Gold Class.
Click to expand...

Gold Class leaves something behind and I noticed it covers up an LSP. Same goes for shampoo plus.
 
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