Does it really matter what kind of soap I use?

B

Ben Carufel

New member
DISCLAIMER: I ***KNOW*** not to use Dawn, Tide, Pine Sol, etc., this question isn't about *that*.



I'm wondering how much different soaps can affect a finish. For instance, on my customers' cars I use the big 1.25 gallon Turtle Wax gold car soap bottle you get at Costco. It seems to be pretty decent.



I've been using it on my car since I ran out of Zymöl.



Keep in mind all of these cars are Klasse SG and S100.



So would switching to Sonax or a similar soap really make a difference?
 
Go with whatever works for you.



Seriously though, everyone here can say I use brand x and I use brand y and they work great, but everyone has different skills, expectations etc so at the end of the day go with works for you.

I have tried a few and while the difference in price was sometimes significant, they all had good and bad points ( IMO ) but generally speaking they cleaned my car reasonably similarly, so take that for what its worth....
 
Thanks Scott, that's pretty much the way I figured it.



Now, what is the BEST car soap out there? One that won't take off S100. I wash my M Coupe twice a week and put a coat of S100 on it after every wash...but regardless, I'd like to use a really gentle soap.
 
I really like 1z Perls, but you dont get a lot for your money( $7 for a 250ml bottle ), at the rate you wash you'd be buying endless amounts of it. But it leaves a beautifully slick finish and it is very gentle. Just dont be turned off by the lack of suds, it is still has good lubricity.

Check out the reviews section for others opinions ( button up the top )
 
I just tried the 1z Perls. This stuff is outstanding. First shampoo I have ever used that didn't leave soap spots on windows. I agree with everything that was written in the reply above mine.
 
I have used several types of car wash, Pinnacle, Meguiar's, Turtle Wax, DuPont (remember the old #7 flakes in the cardboard container), and P21S they all seemed OK in terms of the wax and I didn't really notice any streaking. My conclusion from what I have tried is that there is not a big difference.
 
I've been afraid to mention this, so shoot me.



This winter, I've been using the Rain X wash and wax stuff stuff with the carnauba beads in it. It seems to have high lubricity, which is why I have been using it to clean all the winter grime off.



It is almost like a gel, so that tells you how thick it is. I looked at the bottom of my wash bucket after the wash, and saw some of the "beads". They appear to be a soft, plasticky skin with something inside. I'm doubtful that it is carnauba, though.



Well, thats my $.02, take it or leave it.
 
Since everyone's saying how they all work the same, I'll chime in with the other side :o I'm *VERY* particular about wash solutions. Switching to Griot's Car Wash has greatly lessened my wash-induced swirls (and it's easy on last step products). Using Pinnacle's shampoo did also, but it was hard on wax. Meg's #62 was OK but not great, P21S is too expensive (little bottles, bah). All the cheaper stuff lacked the lubricity I want, and *IMO* greatly contributed to the marring. Maybe it's just me, but I couldn't STAND the Gold Class. Virtually NO lubricity. I gave it away (and the person I gave it to has lots of wash-induced marring).



James A- Heh heh, thanks for the memories! I wonder if they still make that Dupont #7...ah yes, pouring those flakes...
 
I have so many car washes, probably well over 10-15 different car wash soaps. Its my obsession. I will echo Accumulators post that I think the car wash solution and technique are the steps to elimiate swirls. I too have used GC and thought it not so good because of poor lubricity. I personally think the car wash is just one thing you can't skimp on or else you will be facing swirls more often. On another note, ever since I changed to a grit guard, and 2 bucket method, my wash induced micro marring has all but disappeared.
 
I use different shampoos depending on what product I have on the car. For example, I use Dr Wack (similar to P21S) when working with wax and Zaino when using a sealant of some kind.
 
Ben- a grit guard is a bucket that has raised fine mesh filter down towards the bottom, so when you rinse out your mitt, the dirt and debris fall down toward the bottom, but your mitt never touches the bottom, therefore helping eliminate debris in your mitt. As for my favorite soap, right now its either Pinnacle or Sonax gloss. IMO however, the Pinnacle is way overpriced. The IZ Perls is very nice as well, but I would say lacking just a bit of lubricity. One of the underdogs that I also like is the Zymol wash that occasionally can be found as discount places. It has good lubricity and smells like coconuts, like the Pinnacle. Haven't tried the NXT wash, but I played with it in my sink for a while and it seemed pretty good. #62 is nice and cleans extremely well, however, it seemed like it was pretty harsh. #00 has good lubricity and is very gentle, one of the most gentle I have found. I tried Z6 once, didn't have Zaino on my car- had PUPP at the time and found it to be good, but very strong. Platinum's wash is ok, nothing special. Clearkotes doesn't do much for me- good wheel wash, EF PW+ is a good strong soap- I use this often on clients cars because it is strong and can take off some nasty gunk. P21S is nice, expensive though.



So answering your question, best performance-price-local availability ratio- you can get Sonax at your local BMW dealer for like $8 I think for a 16 oz bottle, which isn't bad. Unless I needed something from else, I wouldn't order car soap online. My pick would either #00 because it is gentle and you use S100, or try to find some Zymol. Also for $6, you can get 1/2 gallon of NXT wash locally. If you like it, it might be a good option too.



My favorite is still Pinnacle, but I probably won't buy it again once I run out.
 
For cars that are polished and waxed on a regular basis, you would see more of a difference if you used no soap. Okay, if you like soap, you would be better off using about one tenth of the amount suggested on the label.
Click to expand...



What? :nixweiss



Did you just tell him to wash with just water or use 1/10 of the amount recommended?
 
How are those wash induced swirls treating you Frank? :o :rolleyes:



I really hope nobody takes this advice because it doesn't make any sense and all you are going to do is induce swirls and scratches. :o :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top