Car Soap

[FineExampl]

Okay so i was about to run out of my normal car wash soap. I usually use just regular Armor All brand plain car wash. It's nice and bubbly and rinses away nice and clean and isn't very slimy. I figured i could experiment with some soaps in the meantime.

I bought a bottle of NuFinish orange soap. Claims to have some kind of orange stuff in it. I like oranges. I did not like this soap. It didn't rinse clean and left MASSIVE spots. I won't be buying it again. However, maybe i used too much concentrate. I'll try one more time, but it's not looking good.

Next i figured i'd try the Meguiar's soap. Than move to another brand after that.

What soap do you use??

[dasmurph]

I bought some Meguires soap at Wal*Mart..it's in a purple jug and has 'gem-something' in the name. I love it, it smells really good and it VERY sudsy...seems to rinse clean and everything...so I'd recommend that...but this is coming from a guy that used to use dishsoap on my old cars hahaha

[FineExampl]

dishsoap is probably good, but it probably cleans a little TOO well, no?

[iScott]

I don't recommend dish soap for cars... at all. It's PH is not good for wax and paint. It breaks down any kind of protection you've got on there. And that orange stuff, if it contains natural citrus, my be too harsh if you use too much. Just remember, with any soap... A little dab'll do ya. Elbow grease is the name of the game.

[digitalputty]

And of course a nice handy rag thingy. What are they called ... you put it in the soapy water ... and wash your car with it... DANG IT! A car 'washcloth'? HA!


I got some 'Purple Passion'. Seems to do good.

[FineExampl]

Washed the car yesterday again. Switched back to the Armor All soap. I'm wondering if the spots were because of the rapid drying in this summer heat. I try to wipe it down while it's still wet, but it dries so fast. Might have been the cause of the NuFinish spots. Still, i did have LESS spots with the old brand.

I'm going to Pep Boys in the near future. They had about 10 varieties to try. I'll check it out. I'm thinking some Meguiar's might be nice. I like their products.

[GINA]

I use Meguiars...something. It's not the Gold Class or NXT, it's kinda pink with a picture of a happy family washing their car.

...LAME

Anyways, I'm having the same problem with drying. With the heat, the water is evaporating so fast and leaves these terrible water spots. What I've done the past couple times is hose down the car after I'm done washing (to wet it up AND to make sure I got all the soap off) then take the squeegee thing and get the excess off. Seems to be working alright

[dasmurph]

Originally Posted by GINA

I use Meguiars...something. It's not the Gold Class or NXT, it's kinda pink with a picture of a happy family washing their car.

...LAME

Anyways, I'm having the same problem with drying. With the heat, the water is evaporating so fast and leaves these terrible water spots. What I've done the past couple times is hose down the car after I'm done washing (to wet it up AND to make sure I got all the soap off) then take the squeegee thing and get the excess off. Seems to be working alright

That's the stuff I USE!!!! Happy family soap!!! Gina, we're so twins LOL

[iScott]

Originally Posted by GINA

Anyways, I'm having the same problem with drying. With the heat, the water is evaporating so fast and leaves these terrible water spots.

I'm tellin' you, Fockers, you NEED to get a California Jelly Blade. It's the best $20 I've ever spent. Except for that hooker in Vietnam... but I digress.

[AirbusMech]

I use whatevers on sale at autozone or the carwash soap at costco.

[FineExampl]

Originally Posted by AirbusMech

I use whatevers on sale at autozone or the carwash soap at costco.

How is the Costco stuff? Is it Kirkland brand? Maybe i'll go there before Tuesday and check it out. (Tuesday is carwash day)

[AirbusMech]

Originally Posted by FineExampl

How is the Costco stuff? Is it Kirkland brand? Maybe i'll go there before Tuesday and check it out. (Tuesday is carwash day)

actually i think its mguiers but i have been using it on my f150 since day one 1995 and between it and the waxi jobs it still looks like the day i drove it off the showroom shine wise anyway.
so i would say its good stuff.

[FineExampl]

Rock and roll man, thanks.

[GINA]

Originally Posted by iScott

I'm tellin' you, Fockers, you NEED to get a California Jelly Blade. It's the best $20 I've ever spent. Except for that hooker in Vietnam... but I digress.

Um, did you READ the rest of the sentence?!?

GEEZ SCOTT!!!!!!

[NYBugman]

I only use P21S bodywork conditioning shampoo (yes, that's what it's called).

In fact, most of the cleaning products I use are P21S. I'm not a fan of their wheel cleaner, but everything else is awesome.

For wheel cleaner, I use Dupont wheel cleaner with teflon. Simply EATS brakedust and is very easy on your alloy wheels.

[Kermit]

For car washing, I like the Mequires NXT. It works great. I love P21S products also. I use the Total Auto Wash (it is not a car wash soap, it is a citrus degreaser) and the Carnuba wax, it's the best stuff. Wipe on, wipe off! The Mequires waffle weave micro drying towels are great, we have 4 of them. I use 2 per car. Drying takes way more time than washing

[Shay]

I get my car washed a carwash ... WHAT!!! Im serious

I work at a carwash as a cashier so I go there and get my Loco washed. They do a great Job and twice a year they'll hand wax my baby for me (they did it with my hyundaiPOS).

I dont know what soap they use but I always get it waxed underspray, and its always towel dryed.

If im feeling in a good mood Loco gets armorall on the tires and Rain-X on the front window (but lately no rain-x cause theres no Rain )

[AirbusMech]

Originally Posted by iScott

I'm tellin' you, Fockers, you NEED to get a California Jelly Blade. It's the best $20 I've ever spent. Except for that hooker in Vietnam... but I digress.

I like the one in Amsterdam

[ghostRder1]

I use Meguires NXT Generation and like it better then any other i've used.

bandit
seabandit's 2006 Vert ~ Bandit

[soccerbug]

Just finished washing the Bug for tonight's NB GTG in Gurnee.

Here's what I use for washing my cars:

Meguiars Gold Class Car wash, then wipe down with a Griot's Garage blade, then spray down with Meguiars Final Inspection, then wipe till dry with a thick Griot's Garage microfiber towel. Sometimes, I'll use Griot's Garage Spray Wax instead of the Final Inspection ... they both seem to give a nice finish, but you have to do slightly more wiping with the spray wax.

For the tires, I use STP Son of a Gun Tire spray wiped on with a small foam detail sponge ... one coat for a black finish, two coats for a shiny finish.

For the covertible top, I just spot clean and wipe down with a damp lint-free towel.

For the windows, I steal my wife's glass cleaner from under the kitchen sink, spray, and then wipe the windows down with a microfiber polishing cloth.

Then ... when I'm extra energetic ... I'll use Griot's Garage Undercarriage Spray in the wheel wells -- this is really fabulous stuff and gives a really nice finishing touch especially on my wife's Yukon where you see much more of the wheel well.

My last step is usually opening the garage fridge door, and downing a cold Corona while telling the kids to keep their fingers off the cars.