Review: DP Auto Bath Shampoo

[Ted S.]

Intro:

With my last order I selected DP Auto Bath Shampoo as my free sampleto see how well it would perform. As I am intending to start up a Mobile Detailing Service on the side of my job this summer, I will be looking for affordable auto-washes. I really liked the WG Auto Bathe that I have been using for family vehicles, but that stuff is expensive. For the same price you can get twice as much DP Auto Bath Shampoo. That being said, I still prefer to use WG Auto Bathe, but I think for clients vehicles I would rather use the DP Auto Bath Shampoo.

Product description (from autogeek.com; http://www.autogeek.net/dp300.html):


Detailer’s Pro Series Auto Bath Shampoo has lubricating oils, gentle cleaning agents, plus paint conditioners to refresh your vehicle’s paint, leaving it in better condition than before it was washed. Think of Detailer’s Pro Series Auto Bath Shampoo as a shampoo and conditioner in one for your vehicle!

Product claims (not word for word, but found from website:http://www.autogeek.net/dp300.html):

1. Does not contain chemicals that can dull the finish.
True. The surface was not dulled. In fact, the Wash actually improved the shine.

2. Does not strip existing wax/sealant.
True. The Meguiar’s Gold Class Carnauba Wax was not stripped.

3. Oils in the wash act as a lubricant to allow gritty contaminates to slide off the paint without scratching the paint.
True. No marring or scratching reported. Although not quite as slick as WG Auto Bathe, the DP still gets the job done.

4. Clean-rinsing, doesn’t leave film and helps prevent water spots.
Mostly-true. No film, rinsed clean, but water spotting did occur after setting for a few minutes. I have not had this issue with WG Auto Bathe. I’m sure water spots would not have occurred if the car was immediately dried.

5. Washing with this product yields unusually beautiful results.
True. While the finish is not as dramatic as I’ve seen with WG Auto Bathe, the car’s paint was clearer and deeper than I have experienced with other car washes.

Product observations:


1. Packaging: Sample size (2oz.) clear, plastic container with black-snap-cap. Older style product label (diamond plate from older DP products).
2. Color: Pale yellow.
3. Texture: Smooth, slippery liquid, thickness is in-between water and dish soap.
4. Scent: Bananas (undiluted)/ Wet flowers (when 1oz. is diluted with 3 gallons).
5. Ease of use: Very easy. This being a wash, I would expect this.
6. Cost: Sample size: $5.99, 32oz.: $17.99, 128oz.: $49.99
7. Country of origin: U.S.A.


I thought a couple pics would help explain the texture:

Other Products used:

The Bone by Cobra is a soft, plush car wash sponge wrapped in microfiber for unbeatable softness. Use your favorite car shampoo with the bone
Super Soft Deluxe Microfiber Towels, microfiber detailing towels, buffing towels, micro fiber towel, detail cloth
5 gallon bucket.
50' hose and nozzle.
Water.

Process:

Here are the pictures before the car was washed (sorry I suck at taking pictures):


As you can see, the car really isn't too bad for two weeks worth of driving since it was wash, clayed, sealed, and the hood, roof, bumpers and front fenders were waxed.

Here's the hood:

The roof:

The trunk:

The Back bumper (this side wasn't as bad as the other, just could get a good pic of the other side):

Bad focus:

Behind the front wheel well:

Front bumper:

 

[Ted S.]

Continued...


I used 1oz. of the wash, and filled the bucket up:

I've read the reviews for this product before trying it out. A few reviews noted that this product does not produce enough suds. Well, in this next pic, you will see a five gallon bucket, with only one gallon of water, the rest is suds (I would suggest adding the product into the bucket after the bucket is filled with water):

I used the Cobra Dog Bone MF sponge:

I washed the car top-down:

The product rinses off well, and the water runs off clean:

One of the reviews I remember reading noted that the suds had run out half-way through the wash. When this next picture was taken, the car had been washed, rinsed, and dried; about 45-50 minutes.

Now the dry pics:


The hood:

The roof:

The trunk:

The back bumper:

Behind the front wheel well:

The front bumper:

Other pics:

Final thoughs:


I liked the DP Auto Bath Shampoo overall. But as you could see in some of the after shots; the wash does not clean up the paint 100%, but more like 95%. The DP is not as potent as the WG, nor as powerful and harsh as Dawn, but I would highly recommend this as regular wash product (Dawn shouldn't be a regular wash product any-how). The DP is much more affordable than the WG, and does not strip any of the wax. Additionally, the product seemed to clarify and deepen the color of the paint, but not as dramatically as the WG.

 

[IID]

I actually have some of DP Auto Bath that I have not used/tried yet (bought on BOGO a while back).Your thread was helpful in bringing to my attention that I have some.
I'll be using some this weekend.Looks like it foams PLENTY

Thank You for the review Ted.

 

[FUNX650]

Excellent review. :dblthumb2: Thanks for taking the time and your energy in this posting for AGO forum's members. I applaud those who do these reviews!

 

[CEE DOG]

Excellent review Ted! Thanks for sharing it with us

 

[Bunky]

the wash does not clean up the paint 100%, but more like 95%. The DP is not as potent as the WG, nor as powerful and harsh as Dawn

Nice review. Did you wash with just 1 gallon with 1 oz of soap?

How did you determine it did not clean 100% enough? Was it based upon how many passes it takes to clean? I assume the car at the end was 100% clean.

 

[Ted S.]

I actually have some of DP Auto Bath that I have not used/tried yet (bought on BOGO a while back).Your thread was helpful in bringing to my attention that I have some.
I'll be using some this weekend.Looks like it foams PLENTY

Thank You for the review Ted.

It's really good stuff, just make sure you add it to the bucket of water, then mix it well.:xyxthumbs:

Excellent review. :dblthumb2: Thanks for taking the time and your energy in this posting for AGO forum's members. I applaud those who do these reviews!

:thankyousign:

Excellent review Ted! Thanks for sharing it with us

No problem Corey. I really needed something to keep me busy till school starts up again. Expect alot of reviews this summer. Possibly of the WG Auto Bath shampoo within the week to back up my claims on it.rops:

Nice review. Did you wash with just 1 gallon with 1 oz of soap?

How did you determine it did not clean 100% enough? Was it based upon how many passes it takes to clean? I assume the car at the end was 100% clean.

Sorry, I used 1 oz. for 3 gallons; I did't want to waste the suds, no matter how much I hate them.Im the MAN

"How clean the car was" was determined by how well the DP cleaned the car after a standard wash, top-down (I do about four quick passes per section of each panel, with some moderate pressure). One wash yielded about a 95% clean car; the other 5% was some bugs and dirt that was behind all of the wheel wells. These areas required another 1-3 washes befor the car would end up 100% clean. Thanks for pointing this out. I will keep it in mind in future reviews.rops:

 

[BobbyG]

Ted,

This is a phenomenal review, one of the nicest I've had the pleasure of reading. I like the format and layout you used to deliver your test parameters and finding!

The photo and accompanying documentation are very good and clear.

Very nice job Ted and anyone that reads this will have all the information they need prior to buying the product. rops:

 

[rwright]

Nice review but you really need to use this stuff at 1oz./gallon. At 1oz/3 gallons I can see your frustration. Just curious if you have used Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate? Thanks again for taking the time out to provide such a detailed review.

 

[Buddy]

BobbyG Said it best......Way to go Ted S.

 

[Ted S.]

Ted,

This is a phenomenal review, one of the nicest I've had the pleasure of reading. I like the format and layout you used to deliver your test parameters and finding!

The photo and accompanying documentation are very good and clear.

Very nice job Ted and anyone that reads this will have all the information they need prior to buying the product. rops:

Thanks Bobby. I read a coulple of couple of Corey's and Bill's, as well as others to see what was the best way to write a thourough review on a product. I think I will still work on improving my reviews with my free time this summer. I won't be able to match Corey or Bill though; not by a longshot!:xyxthumbs:

Nice review but you really need to use this stuff at 1oz./gallon. At 1oz/3 gallons I can see your frustration. Just curious if you have used Duragloss Car Wash Concentrate? Thanks again for taking the time out to provide such a detailed review.

Thanks, but I thought it was concentrated enough; I just have to work a little harder with it than the WG (my current favorite). Overall this cost me about 5 minutes, max.

I want to try out Duragloss, because of how highly recommended the product is on this forum. Maybe I'll do a review this summer?!?Im the MANIm the MANIm the MAN

 

[Ted S.]

BobbyG Said it best......Way to go Ted S.

Thnks David.rops:

 

[Dr Oldz]

Very nice review. I have used a lot of this shampoo and like it. The only thing that I have found is that you need to use it at 1oz per gallon (as Rwright has also mentioned). I know the directions say 1-2oz but they also never say how much water to use with that 1-2oz. Its actually a bit confusing. You will find it to clean much better and have a good amount of lubricity at that dilution ratio. Again very nice job, Ted and thanks for sharing your findings!

 

[Ted S.]

Very nice review. I have used a lot of this shampoo and like it. The only thing that I have found is that you need to use it at 1oz per gallon (as Rwright has also mentioned). I know the directions say 1-2oz but they also never say how much water to use with that 1-2oz. Its actually a bit confusing. You will find it to clean much better and have a good amount of lubricity at that dilution ratio. Again very nice job, Ted and thanks for sharing your findings!

Thanks Jim. At an ounce a gallon I'm better off sticking with WG. I may try the XMT this summer as well as the pinnacle. I'm for sure gonna try the duragloss.

I've noticed that your favorite wash is the Dodo Juice Born to be mild. How efficient is it in terms of cost?

 

[Dr Oldz]

Thanks Jim. At an ounce a gallon I'm better off sticking with WG. I may try the XMT this summer as well as the pinnacle. I'm for sure gonna try the duragloss.

I've noticed that your favorite wash is the Dodo Juice Born to be mild. How efficient is it in terms of cost?

Currently with the 500ml Born to be Mild on sale for 19.99 at AG, I think that its a super deal for such a quality Shampoo. The dilution ratio is insane(800:1) Or in simpler terms, considering that you use 4 gallons of water per wash, only .65oz of BTBM is required. About 26 washes per 500ml bottle, .75 cents per wash! I have used a lot of BTBM and it really does work at that diution ratio. Optimum is a dilution ratio of .5oz per gallon(per Dr G) and Ultima is another insainly high one at about .25oz per gallon. Those are some other pretty costly effictive shampoos in my opinion. As for the PBMA shampoos, I wait for them to go on BOGO when I purchase them. Duragloss is certainly a good shampoo also.

 

[Ted S.]

:bump2:I wonder if the night crew is interested in this?!?

 

[Elite Pro]

Great Reviewrops: Thanks!

 

[SeaJay's]

Nice review Ted!

 

[Nick McKees37]

Thanks for the review Ted! DP Auto Bath is an excellent shampoo at a great value. rops:

Raise your hand if you like the banana scent. :awesome:

 

[mdb917]

Nice job on the review (write up and the pictures are first rate). :dblthumb2:

BobbyG summed it up well so I'll only add that I liked your approach tackling the claims of the manufacturer.

I purchased this product on BOGO and it does an excellent job. As your pictures clearly show it creates tons of suds and they last.