Strip wash soap

I can respect everyone's opinions. She actually takes really good care of our home and car, she just thinks the car is a depreciating asset which in most cases she may not own for more than five years so she just thinks its not worth it to spend several hours a week detailing it. In her opinion that time is better spent with family and friends. I personally enjoy having a clean like new car but just cannot invest the time I use to when I was single with no family and no career. I am not passing judgement on those that have the time or make it but at the end of the day its everyone's right to do what they wish with their time. Its just for us we have learned as we get older that time has become our most valuble asset. Even though I don't have the time to detail our cars like before I still see the benefit of a good wash every two to three weeks and we keep the cars in our garage. I did some research about opt seal and seems really easy to use it as a drying aid to get some quick and easy protection on her car. The point of this thread was to get help finding a dedicated car soap that would help me clean a unprotected car without harming any of the finishes.
 
I can respect everyone's opinions. She actually takes really good care of our home and car, she just thinks the car is a depreciating asset which in most cases she may not own for more than five years so she just thinks its not worth it to spend several hours a week detailing it. In her opinion that time is better spent with family and friends. I personally enjoy having a clean like new car but just cannot invest the time I use to when I was single with no family and no career. I am not passing judgement on those that have the time or make it but at the end of the day its everyone's right to do what they wish with their time. Its just for us we have learned as we get older that time has become our most valuble asset. Even though I don't have the time to detail our cars like before I still see the benefit of a good wash every two to three weeks and we keep the cars in our garage. I did some research about opt seal and seems really easy to use it as a dring aid to get some quick and easy protection on her car. The point of this thread was to get help finding a dedicated car soap that would help me clean a unprotected car without harming any of the finishes.
If you start off right it doesn't take much to keep it right. Even with 2 messy minions I can get my car washed and inside vacuumed and wiped down in most cases in less then 30 mins.

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If it was me and it isn't. I would use Gyeon bathe + or carpro hydrofoam. Protect while you wash. I know that's not what you want but sounds like it could be a compromise of protection and washing. Stoner coating wash is also on the same lines. One product does it all. No excessive bottles of products or time spent


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If you start off right it doesn't take much to keep it right. Even with 2 messy minions I can get my car washed and inside vacuumed and wiped down in most cases in less then 30 mins.

Where is that like button!

TUDM: I can totally sympathize. 2.5 year old daughter, about 2 hours spent commuting every day, 8+ hour work days, and just plain life getting in the way. My cars aren't where I want them, but I still keep them clean. As mentioned, Optiseal was the first game changer for the cars appearance. I picked up Hydro Blue for my wheels (German brakes...), and ended up applying it to my whole car. Look up the videos on that stuff - I ended up doing my whole car. Both products allow for a big boost for appearance, and really trims down clean up time. I think the Mrs can see the value in that kind of paint care.

And besides - then you get some garage/driveway therapy time. :xyxthumbs: Also, if you have kids, get them out there and teach them the value in taking good care of your possessions!
 
Where is that like button!

TUDM: I can totally sympathize. 2.5 year old daughter, about 2 hours spent commuting every day, 8+ hour work days, and just plain life getting in the way. My cars aren't where I want them, but I still keep them clean. As mentioned, Optiseal was the first game changer for the cars appearance. I picked up Hydro Blue for my wheels (German brakes...), and ended up applying it to my whole car. Look up the videos on that stuff - I ended up doing my whole car. Both products allow for a big boost for appearance, and really trims down clean up time. I think the Mrs can see the value in that kind of paint care.

And besides - then you get some garage/driveway therapy time. :xyxthumbs: Also, if you have kids, get them out there and teach them the value in taking good care of your possessions!
My kids know the rules, when getting out they need to have a least one piece of trash in hand to throw away, and they know "a Cruz rides clean" lol.

Hydro blue is good stuff, do you how it off to reduce drying?

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To answer the OP question... Ultima car wash cleans really well and is safe for your vehicle. I like Optimum also. So many good ones it’s hard to really go wrong TBH.
 
I don't really care to spend much time on my wife's mini cooper so I wash it then spray on car pro hydro2 lite then rinse off and the car looks like I spent all day detailing. I have never used a product as easy to use as hydro2 that sheets water as well and looks so good on her red car.
 
My daughter mentioned the other day walking to the car how she shouldn't step in the puddles so she wouldn't bring it into the car. (Her words, not mine! :laughing: )

I haven't tried blowing the car off after applying/maintenance washing Hydro Blue - I've just been hitting it with a PFM. I think first time I just did a plain wipe down, last time I did a spritz of Griot's new rinseless as a drying aid.

Truth be told, I havne't been able to get near as scientific as I'd like with my approach! Ideally I did Hydro Blue as a place holder for the decontamination wash which I would follow with a full compound/polish/coat session, but realistically too much time has passed since.

I've gotta learn to be ok with only doing a panel or two at a time which is likely my only hope for getting the job done...
 
I can respect everyone's opinions. She actually takes really good care of our home and car, she just thinks the car is a depreciating asset which in most cases she may not own for more than five years so she just thinks its not worth it to spend several hours a week detailing it. In her opinion that time is better spent with family and friends. I personally enjoy having a clean like new car but just cannot invest the time I use to when I was single with no family and no career. I am not passing judgement on those that have the time or make it but at the end of the day its everyone's right to do what they wish with their time. Its just for us we have learned as we get older that time has become our most valuble asset. Even though I don't have the time to detail our cars like before I still see the benefit of a good wash every two to three weeks and we keep the cars in our garage. I did some research about opt seal and seems really easy to use it as a drying aid to get some quick and easy protection on her car. The point of this thread was to get help finding a dedicated car soap that would help me clean a unprotected car without harming any of the finishes.

Well it seems like the wife is deciding what you do with your time.

You shouldn't have an unprotected car it makes zero sense. At least use a soap the leaves something behind then it wouldn't be so hard to clean.
 
for your needs, any carwash off the shelf will do what you're looking for
 
Meg's Wash Plus
P21s Total Auto Wash (in a pump sprayer @30:1. Rinse, spray on and wash, rinse).

About once a month with either should work (regular wash in-between).

To add to the fire of sticking one's nose where it wasn't asked for:

Just a thought (because I don't know how strenuous your day job is). Car washing is an excellent form of exercise when performed with fluid motions in a swift manner. If you're not getting a regular workout, this might be a good approach to your detailing. Kind of a two for one deal. I'm sure your wife wants you healthy.
 
For a vehicle that has no protection package to mention whatsoever, it doesn't really matter what car shampoo you use. I just balance cheap and effective and for that I would look no farther than Meg's products. D111 Shampoo plus or D110 HyperWash.

I'm a Hyperwash fanboy.

A good stripper wash for removing old protection, as mentioned, is CG Citrus wash at a high dilution. Like 1oz per gallon.

First thing is first though, I'd try talking the old lady into accepting the fact that time spent protecting your car's paint IS NOT WASTED TIME. Spending all day trying to remove tree sap from an unprotected paint is though.
 
This maybe is something you're looking for. It's not a really a car soap it's a cleanser with gloss enhancer. But your wife whas willing to remaining the finish of her car so this can be what you're looking for.

http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-glossworkz-hi-foam-auto-wash.html

If you feel like polishing is time consuming you can go with cg glossworkz glaze. And do the car a couple of times an year. Fill the wash scratchers and protect the paint and at the same protect it. Then maintain the finish and the glaze with the glossworkz schampo.

http://www.autogeek.net/chemical-guys-glossworkz-glaze.html
 
Purple Power Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Boat Pressure Wash Concentrate available at walmart for 8 bucks for gallon..this will remove everything..i started using this soap to remove traffic film and it works really well..after using this soap just apply Ultimate fast finish to keep it protected.. easy to apply and only takes 10 minutes..
 
Purple Power Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Boat Pressure Wash Concentrate available at walmart for 8 bucks for gallon..this will remove everything..i started using this soap to remove traffic film and it works really well..after using this soap just apply Ultimate fast finish to keep it protected.. easy to apply and only takes 10 minutes..

Thanks, I have seen a guy on you tube talking about purple power. How many ounces to a gallon of water for use in a bucket? I saw their website they also make a regukar car wash soap any thoughts on that soap?
 
Yup after watching that guy i also started using it really nice soap..direction states 6 ounce per gallon..i use little different method to wash my car though so i dont use gallon per wash (Never introduce dirty wash mitt into soap bucket)...I have not tried their car wash but i bet its ph neutral like any other soap on the market..try this soap only 8 bucks per gallon and locally available.. after washing apply ultimate fast finish car will look good..
 
It's my wife's new car. She doesn't want me doing anything to it, she tells me time is the most valuable thing in life and doesn't understand why people spend countless hours detailing their cars. She likes to have a clean shiny new car who doesn't so she takes it to a car wash unfortunately here in Northern California I yet to find one that does a good job sone even cause damage. So by default I now wash her car but she does not want me to do anything else to it so when I use most car soaps that are gentle or ph balanced they just do not get the car clean.

I didn't read many of the posts so someone probably already posted this. Explain to her that by detailing it once and putting a coating on it you'll be able to wash it in half the time for the next two years, and her car will stay looking new as a bonus.
 
Optimum Car Wash is the best smelling detergent I've used. Also I've convinced myself it cleans better than the rest because I like the scent so much. Good luck with ol' ball and chain.
 
This is your wifes car? If it was me, I wouldn't settle for any of her suggestions in regards to this subject... It's 1 thing if she's the type of person who doesn't even want her car washed, but she wants it washed weekly minus anything extra such as "wax"?

No offense, but she clearly doesn't know what she's talking about and you should just take matters into your own hands and at least do a quikie style wash/clay/protect on her car and best of all she'll never even have to know you spent any extra time doing it.

Here's how you do it:
Wake up early 6am. on your day off, ideally Saturday. If she doesn't want you waking up that early to wash her car for 1 day out of the year than tough luck, she'll just have to go back to sleep without you for a couple of hours. Lol.

Rinse her car off with the hose.

Next you waterless wash the car, panel by panel with something like Mckee's N-914. If you're not into waterless washing then do a rinseless. If you're not into rinseless then do a normL bucket wash, but that'll take a bit longer...

Next spray liberal amounts of Mckee's N-914 [as claylube] onto the clean car, panel by panel as you quikly clay it using a Medium Grade Nanoskin Mitt. If you're not into the Med. Grade or afraid it'll marr the paint then I guess go with a Fine Grade mitt, but it might take a little longer if her paint is heavily contaminated... But either ways I can't imagine it should take any longer than 15min. to clay the entire car.

Next you fully dry her car with proper drying towel

Finally you apply your choice of quik fix lsp. Many choices here, you can choose to simply go with a spray wax, or maybe Mckee's Hydro Blue, Meguiars Ultimate Fast Finish, or similar products... Either way you slice it, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes to complete this final step.

The whole process shouldn't take longer than 1.5hrs. to complete and will make your future maintenance washes on her vehicle much easier to do. Take this decision into your own hands and make it a win win situation for the both of you... Unless of course you enjoy having to work extra hard everytime you have to wash her car?

Once her paint is smooth and protected you might not even have to pull the buckets out on a weekly basis and instead switch to waterless washing her car and dramatically cut down the time spent to maintain it clean.
 
Possible steps to accomplish your stated objective(s), as I understand them:

(i.) Spray Poorboys Bug Squash on the more contaminated areas of the car at, say, undiluted, 1:1, or 2:1, depending on the level of contaminants present
(ii.) Wait ~10 minutes for product to work.
(iii.) Rinse car
(iv.) Wash car with Meguiars Wash Plus and quality wash MF mitt
(v.) Dry w/leaf blower
(vi.) [Optional] Apply Sonax Brilliant Shine Detailer, Meguiars Ultimate Fast Finish, Blackfire Crystal Seal, Optimum Car Wax, or any Spray on, wipe in product.

Steps (i.)-(v.) will get your car as clean as possible working within the original parameters you've established, as well as minimize the amount of wash-induced marring. Step (vi.) is highly recommended. It adds only an extra 15 min. to the process, but will contribute greatly towards keeping contaminants from bonding with your car's finish and, thus, preserving its appearance.

Should take you around an hour, maybe 1.5 hrs to do safely and properly. If your wife thinks this is too much time, you could always suggest she put down the depreciating-in-value-to-virtually-nothing-in five-years tablet, phone, etc. that she's mindlessly trawling Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest on and grab the wash mitt you purchased her to help you wash her car with- would take only half the time with two people. There's always that....
 
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