Car Wash soap question

N

NY_Joe

New member
What kind of soap/wash do you use for your car??



I use either Mother's or Gliptone. Should I be using somehting else?



Attached is a pic of my new baby...2004 Saab 9-3 Arc Convert. It has just the dealer wax and a quick spray of Meguiars#34 just to keep it looking clean until I can wax it. In the back you can see a piece of my neglected 2003 Envoy... : (







saabsig.jpg
 
Car Wash Concentrates:

A good quality car wash provides a pH-balanced blend of active biodegradable ingredients, to provide lubrication to prevent scratching, to lift and encapsulate dirt, road grime and oils. With conditioners to maintain the shine without stripping the paint of essential oils (the way detergents do) and dispersing them in the rinsing process, warm water (not hot) will improve the cleaning abilities of wash concentrates. The amount of suds produced has nothing to do with its cleaning efficiency.



The usual dilution is 1oz per two gallons water (using a greater dilution will leave a film on the paint surface) Avoid products that contain surfactants, as they effectively strip the finish of all its protective waxes and oils.
 
26autoshampoos-med.jpg




these are some of the favorites. There certainly are others. If you're willing to commit to a gallon, I'd give strong consideration to the Griot's product product at $29.



Good luck and happy shampooing :up
 
TOGWT said:
Car Wash Concentrates:

A good quality car wash provides a pH-balanced blend of active biodegradable ingredients, to provide lubrication to prevent scratching, to lift and encapsulate dirt, road grime and oils. With conditioners to maintain the shine without stripping the paint of essential oils (the way detergents do) and dispersing them in the rinsing process, warm water (not hot) will improve the cleaning abilities of wash concentrates. The amount of suds produced has nothing to do with its cleaning efficiency.



The usual dilution is 1oz per two gallons water (using a greater dilution will leave a film on the paint surface) Avoid products that contain surfactants, as they effectively strip the finish of all its protective waxes and oils.
Click to expand...



With that being said, what brand do you use??
 
tom p. said:
26autoshampoos-med.jpg




these are some of the favorites. There certainly are others. If you're willing to commit to a gallon, I'd give strong consideration to the Griot's product product at $29.



Good luck and happy shampooing :up
Click to expand...



Hey Tom.



Thanks for the welcome and thanks on the car. Was between that color and Steel grey but i had steel grey on my BMW so I opted for the blue.



WOW, such a huge selection to chose from. I thought Griots would be overpriced junk but I guess not. I will either go with that or Meguiars I guess.



Thanks.



Joe
 
If you're looking for forum opinions, check this out: http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15082



There are quite a few excellent shampoos available at retail; Eagle One Wet, Meguiars Gold Class, Mothers Calif Gold, Duragloss 901 are just a few.



I'm sure your 9-3's front wheels will get as grimey as my 9-5's did. Get a bottle of Eagle One A2Z wheel & tire cleaner and wash them frequently. All these products are available at most any auto parts store in the country.



I'm sure you're lovin' the car. I drove the 9-3SS the day they hit the dealers and at Saab's "Proving Grounds" event last year and I was really impressed. I can't wait to get my hands on a cabrio like yours.
 
I use any of 4 different car wash products.



1. ProtectAll Quick and Easy Wash (QEW)

2. Zaino Z-7 Show Car Wash

3. Eagle One Wet Car Wash

4. Meguiar's Rich Suds Car Wash



All have their good qualities.



I actually like QEW the best, although it's a different kind of wash than the other 3 traditional soap-n-bucket wash methods.
 
The problem is there are many good products. If you are like the rest of us you'll enjoy trying a few and see which you prefer.



The Sonax and 1Z soaps are 1st rate as well.
 
Wow, thanks for all the repsonses and suggestions. I will look into all of them and see what each offers. This site is amazing.





Bretfraz - I HATE THE BRAKE DUST!!!! 2 days of easy driving and its back. I use Spray Nine wheel cleaners and it comes off with no problem. Just looks like my wheels are coated in gunmetal finish.





Here are some bigger pics of the Saab, a few hours after pickup from the dealer and putting on a hundered or so miles....



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TOGWT said:


The usual dilution is 1oz per two gallons water (using a greater dilution will leave a film on the paint surface) Avoid products that contain surfactants, as they effectively strip the finish of all its protective waxes and oils.
Click to expand...



Umm, QEW says it has surfactants
 
Mine is Purified Water only but customer cars is Omikron Super Shampoo wax free, Pacer Grape Wash and Nitro and a Few Malco Pro ones.
 
Rather than worry about what product to wash a car with, what usually causes scratches is how the car is washed. A lot of people will buy brushes or sponges, sold in the car detailing section of their Wal-Mart, but that should never be touching the paint of a car. In fact, I've recently had a "cotton" chinille covered sponge that only washed my car twice before I figured out that it was scratching my paint.



Up in the Learn button, David B goes through all the gory details.



It's important to worry about improper washing, but for the most part nearly any wash made for cars, with the exception of those made for commercial washing booths, are mild and have good lubricity.



That said, people tend to swear by Sonax. I love the smell of Zymol Blue (hard to find). And I'm currently using EO Wet or TWZW wash. I wash with a 100% cotton mitt, but have recently bought four wool mitts. I dry with an absorber clone (PVA sprongecloth, Target Del Sol brand).



And, for that car, I'd go to the Harley dealer and get some S100 carnauba for the wax. At least for summer.



Edited to add: I can't belive they cheaped out on your brake pads. Go get some ceramics on that thing.
 
TOGWT said:
Avoid products that contain surfactants, as they effectively strip the finish of all its protective waxes and oils.
Click to expand...



Nitpick mode: On



Depends on what surface active agents you are using. Some are to make the product feel thicker, just so people feel better about pouring it. Just like they make hair shampoo pearly.



Nearly everything you can add to water will slightly effect the way the surface reacts. But yeah, harsh detergents are harsh.



Nitpick mode: Off



:D
 
Postwood said:
Rather than worry about what product to wash a car with, what usually causes scratches is how the car is washed. A lot of people will buy brushes or sponges, sold in the car detailing section of their Wal-Mart, but that should never be touching the paint of a car. In fact, I've recently had a "cotton" chinille covered sponge that only washed my car twice before I figured out that it was scratching my paint.



I dry with an absorber clone (PVA sprongecloth, Target Del Sol brand).
Click to expand...



I always use a wool mitt to was h botht he cars and have been using the absorber for years. Both are great "tools" to have to wash and dry the car.



Why "for that car" and espically for summer should I get S100 carnuba wax?? Curious??



Thanks.
 
Cause black and carnauba are the best o' pals. :D :up



And summer you can rewax anytime you want. I generally use a sealant in the winter but carnauba in the summer.
 
NY_Joe,

If you are happy with the quality washes from Mother's and Gliptone, keep using them. If you are looking to change or experiment, then there are many quality washes available.



Nice Saab. The trunk on the car 9-3 cabrio is tiny.



Eric
 
Nice looking Saab Joe. I prefer 1Z Perls wash and Glanz Exclusiv wash. Nevertheless, Megs Gold Class wash is also good.
 
Postwood said:
Cause black and carnauba are the best o' pals. :D :up



And summer you can rewax anytime you want. I generally use a sealant in the winter but carnauba in the summer.
Click to expand...



Got ya. I guess dark blue qualifies as a "black" or darker color.



Thanks for the info.
 
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