what brand of car wash detergent do you use?

I use some cheaper brand of soap (turtle wax I think) since I find it's better to focus on good technique (two bucket method and direction of washing) and use a good wax product.
There are some detailers on this site that will be able to tell you LOADS of info on this topic.

 

mr. clean

 

Whatever they currently sell at Costco. But my preference is Meguires Gold Class or something like that, they sell it at all the big box stores and auto parts stores. You can get a big bottle at Target for reasonable price. My detailer even recommends it.

 

1+

 

Zymol. It works great, doesn't leave a residue, and minimizes spotting. Also, doesn't destroy the wax the way a harsh detergent like Mr. Clean will. I've used the Turtle Wax Gold and McGuire's Gold, and they are both pretty good too.

 

Meguiar's Gold Class Shampoo & Conditioner. 2 buckets for sure!

 

Ditto, or Mothers makes a good product. I do not use 2 buckets. Also I tend to wash without really soaking the car - I do it in parts. This is because it is really hard to get all the water out of and off a 348.

 

+1 for Zymol............ Their Clear Bathe is excellent! (I've been extremely happy with using their HD Cleanse
each year before a major waxing........ and then the Creme Wax along with the Clear Bathe for regular upkeep).

This year, if they ever lift the watering ban here, I plan on getting a filtering system for the house/hose to
minimize any spotting.



BobR

 

meguiars gold, 2 buckets for sure and i use a foam gun when washing 1 section at a time. And don't forget the grit guards in both buckets

 

Ditto.
It smells great too!

BT

 

I have a bottle of Andrelon egg-shampoo for the purpose. It's about the mildest soap you'll find, and it works a treat.Find it in any supermarket where the hair-products are....

 

Dawn Dish Soap in really warm water. I am neither joking nor am I the only one. You want a soap that takes the dirt, oils, grime, wax, etc. off so you can start fresh when you clay it or reapply the polish and wax. Dawn is actually great at doing this and cheap.

I don't agree with ever using the soaps with conditioners or waxes added. Who knows what kind of quality those are. Soap is for taking off the oil/wax/crap, not adding it IMO. I'll put my own wax/polish on. At least I know what is on it then.

Save your money for your cleaning "rags". Those matter more.

I tend to keep my cars pretty clean. ;-)
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That's fine if you plan on waxing EVERY time you wash, otherwise no thanks!

I can only imagine what this is doing to your paint; if not chemically, how about the physical wear if you really wax every time.

More power to ya.....

 

www.detailingdynamics.com

they have the best car wash stuff i have ever used. ask for eddie when you call. there are 50 reasons to use this stuff that i forgot.

amante

 

I recently bought a leafblower. You know big garden-blow-thing.
works like a dream getting all thre water out of all the holes and odd shaped parts of my 328

 

ArmorAll car wash concentrate, has worked well for me. Seems to be gentle on wax but effective on dirt.

 

This stuff is great and the applicator foamer is better yet. Use it on the Modena, Viper and aircraft. Called DP extreme foaming agent. Apply via sprayer to deliver neutral soap to entire vehile safely,quickly, no scratching,no double bucket! Autogeek.net
Docf

 

Meguiars Gold Class.

 

Griot's products almost exclusively including thier car wash, with the exception of wax which is now P21S Silver Top.
MB
Tell me what you think...
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+1

RMX

 

Meguiars Gold Class for me as well, although on other cars I would use Armor All or even mild dish detergent. Dish detergent was actually recommended in one of car manuals for a car that I had a while back (forgot which car now) and it left the most shine.
Then I ocassionally finish off with with Meguiars detailer for a final look. I enjoy it.

 

Most dish detergents will strip off wax. Dawn especially.

RMX

 

I have been using Griot's car wash and bucket.