So what's the real difference...?

[jlift]

Totally confused. Been reading some of the reviews here on car wash soap. I own several brands from the $4.95 a gallon type to the more expensive $29.95 a gallon brand. I see that the Poorboy's Super Slick & Suds goes for $39.95 a gallon. What is the real deal on the prices? Is there any compelling reason that I should be willing to pay premium price if I can get the same job done for 7 times less money? Anybody can comment? I am new to detailing, and want to get this decision out of the way.

Thanks!

Jack in WC

 

[mgm2003]

Using soap intended for Auto's is the most important step.

Past that I think a lot of it comes down to personal preference.

I've used the majority of OTC & boutique soaps and IMO Poorboys SS&S is at the top. Optimum, Z7, and TOL Bubble Bath are good too (IMO), but I prefer SS&S.

I too questioned the price, etc.. -just as you are doing. I thought 'who in the he** would throw 39 bucks + shipping towards soap????'. Guess what, I'm still using SS&S because I think it's THAT good. If you buy soap by the gallon, and use it as directed, you'll find that your per wash cost isn't that bad. I tend to use more soap than recommended, so this doesn't apply to me

One of the main reasons that I like Poorboys is because it loads up sheepskin mitts with suds much better than most any other brand (that I've used). SS&S also works VERY well with a foam gun. Being an owner of black paint, I like to create a slick barrier between my mitt and the paint when I wash, and I personally feel that SS&S is worth the extra $$.

Investing in a few quality sheepskin mitts, WW drying towels, grit guards, and possibly a foam gun is important too. Having the right tools & understanding the correct process will keep your finish looking good.

-I hope this helps.

 

[JaredPointer]

Is there any compelling reason that I should be willing to pay premium price if I can get the same job done for 7 times less money?

Not really. About the only reason I could see would be to say "I use xxx brand soap." I spend around $5 for a large qty. (not sure of the size right now) of Meg's NXT wash at the local store. It does as good a job as any other soap I have tried, and performs better than most, if not all of them. If I can find something that gives comaprable results (if not better) for a good deal less money, I can't justify the cost. Others may feel different. Same goes with most other car care products I use. Higher cost does not always equal higher quality or better results. But then again, if using a certain brand gives you a better feeling about things, use it.

 

[Maxima Lover]

I think prices on soaps are comparable to products at the store. Do you want to buy the store brand green beans, the most expensive name brand, or one in the middle? Sure the more expensive one might be better and probably is, but is it worth the extra cost? I shoot for value more than anything. I normally won't buy the cheapest and rarely buy the most expensive. Good products with good value can most of the time be found in the middle of the price scale. On some products you buy it may be a advisable to buy the most expensive, but when it comes to car wash soaps, I don't think the difference is significant enough to warrant paying $40/gallon IMO. Of course this all depends on how much disposable income you have to spend.

BTW I havn't tried SS&S so I couldn't tell you directly if it is worth the money. I'm sure it's a good product though as I haven't heard much bad news if any about Poorboys.

 

[CharlesW]

Using soap intended for Auto's is the most important step.

Past that I think a lot of it comes down to personal preference.

Both statements echo my personal feelings.
I don't believe I have ever used a bad car wash soap. Over the years, I have used just about every OTC car wash at one time or another. They all cleaned the car, none of them scratched the finish and I don't think they stripped the wax. Since I tend to apply more LSP every month, I can't really say if any of them were hard on wax.

Charles

 

[Mikeyc]

I don't believe I have ever used a bad car wash soap. Over the years, I have used just about every OTC car wash at one time or another. They all cleaned the car, none of them scratched the finish and I don't think they stripped the wax.

My sentiments exactly. They're all pretty good and will get the job done. As MGM said though some are better than others. I've noticed a distinct difference in products when it comes to how "slippery" the wash solution is and how much suds the soap produces. IMO the more "slippery" your wash solution is then the less chance you have of marring the finish while washing.

 

[CharlesW]

My sentiments exactly. They're all pretty good and will get the job done. As MGM said though some are better than others. I've noticed a distinct difference in products when it comes to how "slippery" the wash solution is and how much suds the soap produces. IMO the more "slippery" your wash solution is then the less chance you have of marring the finish while washing.

That too seems to be logical.
Not to Hi-Jack the thread, but if the wash feels "slippery" is it because it has something in it that would leave a residue on the finish?

Charles

 

[pogo123]

Both statements echo my personal feelings.
I don't believe I have ever used a bad car wash soap. Over the years, I have used just about every OTC car wash at one time or another. They all cleaned the car, none of them scratched the finish and I don't think they stripped the wax. Since I tend to apply more LSP every month, I can't really say if any of them were hard on wax.

A good testament to this statement is the "favorite car soap" thread several posts down from this one. It has been running for about a year now, and has over 9000 views and 118 posts, and it mentions just about every wash soap ever made. As it's been said many times before, "It all comes down to what works best for you."

 

[Maxima Lover]

Not to Hi-Jack the thread, but if the wash feels "slippery" is it because it has something in it that would leave a residue on the finish?

Charles

It would probably leave a residue if it wasn't washed off with water. What type of residue do you think it would leave on the paint?

 

[Mr. Clean]

Using soap intended for Auto's is the most important step.

Past that I think a lot of it comes down to personal preference.
...

...
I don't believe I have ever used a bad car wash soap...

Agreed and agreed.

I too have used a number of both OTC washes, local distributor washes, and "pro" washes offered by some of the supporting vendors. It is hard to get too excited about cleaning products (ie. wash soaps or APCs) since they are all designed to do one thing...clean. Either they do or they don't. That is not to say that I don't have some favorites, based on my own preferences and perception of how well they perform. I do. The goal is to find the product that you are happy with.

 

[CharlesW]

It would probably leave a residue if it wasn't washed off with water. What type of residue do you think it would leave on the paint?

Actually, I have no idea. It just seems like whatever oil/wax/etc. makes it slippery might not be rinsed off completely by just a water rinse.

Charles

 

[Brenton]

Do what you like. Honestly, the difference is there. Some are sudsy, some are slick, some are both. Some you use an ounce/gal, some 2oz/5gal. Find what you like, use it. If it is $40/gal (and does 2-3 times what a cheap soap does, so costs about 3x, not 7x), go for it.
I can't pay $200/5 gal for commercial washes is too much. But I pay about $15/gal for decent stuff, and $25/gal for a high suds wash when I'm claying.

 

[mgm2003]

It would probably leave a residue if it wasn't washed off with water. What type of residue do you think it would leave on the paint?

Ha, ha.... this is a good thread!

Another reason that I REALLY like SS&S, is because it leaves little or no soap residue. Steve did his homework on this product. I hate to mail order soap -trust me, but for me, it's worth it.

 

[Mikeyc]

A good testament to this statement is the "favorite car soap" thread several posts down from this one. It has been running for about a year now, and has over 9000 views and 118 posts, and it mentions just about every wash soap ever made. As it's been said many times before, "It all comes down to what works best for you."

Part of the problem with the favorite soap thread is that people look at it and see that soap XYZ was posted 5 out of 10 times so it must be "the best soap." First, I don't really believe in "the best" anything when it comes to detailing. All the products are different and personal preference plays a large part. Second, there is no way everyone who posted in that thread has tried every soap in existence. If I've only ever tried one soap in my whole life chances are that's my favorite.

I have no problem with people saying what they like. My problem is that often people misinterpret this type of thread.

 

[Poorboy]

Just a couple comments (no sales pitch intended)

I thought like many here that all soaps are pretty similar and had a hard time when developing a car wash trying to figure out why anyone would pay more for soap. I was challenged by awd330 and Boss429 to make as good if not better wash than the Sonax brand they had previously used , but was becoming impossible to find. (not sure if it even exists anymore) We went through quite a few prototypes, never even thinking of cost, but it had to be the slickest and most free rinsing product to even reach the Sonax level. Most of the prototypes were good, but not good enough for awd330 or Boss429.
The chemist was told to hold back no expense to make it better and thus was born Super Slick & Suds. When I was told of the cost, I said it would never sell, which is now a personal joke between awd330 and I, when we walk into the warehouse and it disappears faster than almost every other product I have. I was also told by my distributors that they were unhappy at the very low mark-up they make on the product, but I told them it would make their customers happy, and it has. Yes, most soaps will do a good to decent job, but some people just have a need to have something a little better. Yes, mgm2003 has moaned and groaned with every order, and i know he's tried almost every other brand out there, but with the care he takes of his vehicles, he always comes back.
The choice is up to each individual and when you break it down per wash, we are not talking about even the cost of a cheap cup of coffee or a can of soda. Most commercial detailers can not use higher end soaps for their business as they are watching each penny, but for an enthusiast, it's all about the results on their own vehicle.