Best Car Wash Shampoo with Klasse SG

M

Midlifecrisis

New member
I guess from my previous use of Zaino I have it in my head that you should match your car wash soap with your LSP. So when I have Zaino on I use Z6, with Meg's NXT I use NXT wash, with carnuba I use Meg's Gold Class wash, and now with Klasse SG as my current LSP on both cars I have been using the Sonus Car wash. The danger of not "matching" for example is that I have heard some suggest that NXT wash may reduce the durability of SG.



The Sonus Car wash really isn't my favorite, doesn't suds much and is quite expensive per use. I am starting to run low and I need to find an alternative. I have four questions:



1) Am I correct in matching Car Wash soap to LSP?



2) If so what is the best alternative to Sonus Car Wash for when SG is my LSP?



3) I have heard some raves about 1Z Perls (which is on closeout now at Autopia). Does this work well with SG?



4) I plan on topping my SG with S100 later this winter (to try). Should I switch to Meg's Gold Car wash with carnuba as the LSP?





Any suggestions would be appreciated!



Pat
 
I personally think that all washes are the same. As long as you get something with decent lubicity and foam, you should be fine. NXT, Megs Gold Class, etc. I got a gallon bottle of Turtle Wax at Costco and that stuff has worked great on both Klasse SG and S100.
 
I have had Klasse SG on the Mustang for several months now. I have also used Sonus Gloss Shampoo and I just didn't feel it offered as much lubrication as the products I am used to. It did though leave behind a lot of gloss as the name implies. From David's decription it would also appear to leave behind some polymer protection.



Sonüs Gloss Shampoo contains polymer protection agents for a lasting shine. The exclusive Sonüs formula is ph-balanced, biodegradable, phosphate free and sodium free. Special paint conditioners restore gloss and resist water spotting and streaking.
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What I usually do is wash first with Meguiars #62 professional car wash and then I go back and wash again with Sonus Gloss Shampoo. There is a noticable difference in the extra work so it is well worth it to me.
 
I have found a huge difference between different shampoos, in many different areas. Lubricity is one area where most washes fall short and yeah, I've found that some washes are really hard on certain LSPs (e.g., Pinnacle is hard on waxes).



For KSG, I've found nothing better than Griot's Car Wash. It does *NOT* appear to strip the SG to any extent (six layers lasted me over a year, !16 months! and still going OK on the roof, despite frequent washes- washes with a BHB, BTW) and it cleans well. Great lubricity too (less wash-induced marring). It's become my only car wash. I have absolutely *no* criticisms of it which is more than I can say for any other shampoo I've tried. Works great with any LSP from sealants to Souveran.



I've used a fair number of shampoos over the years, and #62 and #00 aren't bad, but I'll stick with Griot's. I've thought about trying Perlz, but I buy in gallons.



I tried GC a few times and I honestly think it's just awful. Truly lousy lubricity. I gave it away as I was marring my paint washing with it (note this was not with my "extreme wash technique, but rather doing it the "regular" way).
 
Accumulator said:
I have found a huge difference between different shampoos, in many different areas. Lubricity is one area where most washes fall short and yeah, I've found that some washes are really hard on certain LSPs (e.g., Pinnacle is hard on waxes).
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Wow, the Pinnacle shampoo is hard on wax? Glad I saw this because I was figuring to add it the arsenal for use with washing a Souveran topped finish.
 
Bill D- Yeah, the seemingly obvious combo doesn't work all that well. I got much better durability from Souveran when I quit using the Bodywork Shampoo. This *was* quite a while ago, dunno if they've changed it. Smelled nice though...
 
Right now I use Blackfire ($5 at walmart). Cheap enough so I can use extra to get the wash water more slippery. Still easy to rinse.

I got great durability from UPP using Blackfire (2-3 months still slick, no QD).



I'd stick with Z6 for Zaino. Stuff removes tar and and it cleans brake dust (as good as a full strength wheel cleaner spray).



I'm starting to think the car wash soap and washing techniques are the reasons why all of us get different durability for a LSP or wax.
 
NetBoy said:
I'm starting to think the car wash soap and washing techniques are the reasons why all of us get different durability for a LSP or wax.
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Very important point and one that may be overlooked too often :up
 
I may be alone in this one, and I fully acknowledge that I am not nearly as experienced as most of you, but I think Meguiar's NXT soap works fine. And, in fact, I got a gallon and half bottle of "Turtle Wax Gold Series" at Costco, and I have not been having any problems with the durabilty of my LSP (typically KSG or S100).



My personal feeling: wash technique and washing tools matter most. Otherwise, you should be able to get soap products that work quite well at your local Pep Boys.
 
Yeah, I have no issue with NXT wash, a great OTC wash for sure. It passes "the foam gun test " too :up
 
Accumulator said:
I tried GC a few times and I honestly think it's just awful. Truly lousy lubricity. I gave it away as I was marring my paint washing with it (note this was not with my "extreme wash technique, but rather doing it the "regular" way).
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That's odd. I found GC to be great, way more lubricity than previous washes I've tried (which I admit were not that many). Before GC I had used Mother's, Turtle Wax Zipwax (hated it) and even P21S shampoo. The GC mixed to the right ratio (1 ounce per gallon) produced LOTS of suds and felt like lotion on my hands while I washed. And I found less marring with GC than with TW and Mother's.



Its just a toss up now whether I like NXT wash or GC wash more.
 
Inzane said:
That's odd. I found GC to be great, way more lubricity than previous washes I've tried (which I admit were not that many). Before GC I had used Mother's, Turtle Wax Zipwax (hated it) and even P21S shampoo. The GC mixed to the right ratio (1 ounce per gallon) produced LOTS of suds and felt like lotion on my hands while I washed. And I found less marring with GC than with TW and Mother's.
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Exactly my observation also. However I have replaced GC with NXT as the"daily use" or "non extreme" wash.
 
Yeah, I always zip up my flame-suit when commenting on *my* experiences with GC :D Just call 'em as I see 'em- this was a "wash one car with one, then another car with the other, then use 'em *both* on a third car" comparison so I feel I gave it a fair shot. Had the GC not (unpleasantly) surprised me so much I wouldn't have even thought to do a direct comparison with the Griot's.



Note that there are all sorts of other variables, including water quality, wash technique, and a host of others. And yeah, GC *is* a lot better than cheaper washes. If [whatever] works for you, cool- I'm not trying to change anybody's mind.



tom p. - But is the 1Z available in gallons? The "little bottles" thing just doesn't work for me.
 
This is just the kind of information/discussion I was interested in. My prejudice here is that that car wash soaps designed to be used with polymer sealants as the LSP (such as Z6, Sonus, & NXT) would be expected to have a somewhat different composition (more ionic detergents?) than ones which are designed to be used with natural carnuba wax LSP (such as GC). Now of course no car wash shampoo is going to exclude a market by saying what NOT to use it with but as a biochemist I would doubt if the best formulation for carnuba LSP could also be optimal for Zaino or Klasse. Each of these would have to figure in the optimal mix of 1) cleaning ability 2) not deteriorating or stripping the existing LSP and 3) Perhaps leaving a nice shine or gloss behind after drying. In addition since many of sealants clearly have very different chemical properties (especially durability) I could easily see how a shampoo designed for NXT for example could lead to a decrease in durability when used with SG.



The best way is, as Accumulator suggested, that we all experiment and see for ourselves which combos work best with our water, grime, and LSP conditions.



Seems like I need to find some Griot's wash online to try some experiments with. Anyone know where I can find it?





Thanks to all for a terrific discussion of this issue! What a great site this is.



Pat
 
Wow, the Pinnacle shampoo is hard on wax?
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Sorry to offer a dissenting opinion but I've never had a problem with Pinnacle shampoo being hard on Pinnacle Signature or Paste Glaz or P21S (use this combo on wife's car).



I find P21S to be better than everything I've tried including Gold Class, Griot's, Mothers, NXT, Sonus, Sonax, Zaino Z-7, Four Star (very good though!), and Pinnacle (but it's close). Zaino Z-7 is my go-to soap for a more aggressive wash.



Maybe this is process dependent. I use sheepskin mitts and dry with WW MF.
 
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