Your Favorite Car Shampoo?

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Besides microfiber towels, (I have way too many ) trying different car shampoo's is something I'm starting to do a little more of.

For me the main factors I'm looking for in a shampoo are

1) Cleaning ability while being safe on sealants or waxes.

2) Lubricity. I could state this as #1 as well. The more lubricity a shampoo has, the less chances of marring the paint while washing.

3) Clean rinsing. A soap/shampoo that leaves spots/streaks is a waste of time.

One's I've tried, geez I actually threw some away (OTC brands), so I'll say several of the Wally world/Auto store stuff. I've quit trying these as they fail at one or all 3 of the things I like in a soap.

Other's include Adams red and blue, Optimum Car wash, Chemical Guys Citrus (only for stripping LSP), CG V7, and Lusso Auto Bathe.

I recently ordered Duragloss 901 and Ultima Paint Guard Car Wash, as I've read lots of great reviews from professional detailers on both.

So which one do I like the best so far? The Lusso is fantastic, only problem is after shipping it's 21 dollars for a 8oz bottle. It's very concentrated, only need 1oz in bucket and 1 in foam gun. But at $5.25 per wash, it's expensive.

I'd have to say so far the best bang for the buck is the Optimum. $25 a gallon and free shipping on Amazon. Excellent results for all 3 of the things I like in a soap.

The Adams costs a little more $40/gallon plus shipping, but is also a very good shampoo, and I'd rate it the best for clean rinsing. As long as your paint is cool, it doesn't matter if it dries, it rinses 100% clean every time.

Some people may also add suds and smell of soap/shampoo. For me these are not as important. A soap can have lots of suds, but very little lubricity, and leave spots or streaks when rinsed.

A nice smell does make washing more enjoyable, but strong smelling shampoo's also draw bugs to your car, and I don't like wiping them into my paint while drying!

So what's your favorite soap/shampoo, and why? Which have you compared it against?

[jdrop01]

I've been using Meguiars Gold Class shampoo and works great for me. I know it's not the high end stuff but it's priced decent and local and has great lubrication.

I also liked the zaino z7 wash but again price with shipping and size.

[CCMADONNA]

I love Adam's but when it runs out I'm going to try Ammo Foam Paint Cleanser.

[Rainbow1616]

I have been using Optimum but I just ordered P21S Body Work Shampoo since I like their wax so much thought I'd give it a try

[jshaf]

Megs Hyper wash, and/or either of the poor boys, depending on if you want wax in it or not. love all three, better than any over the counter stuff IMO. love the lucidity of the Hyper though!

[Jackpot]

Megs Hyper wash, with ONR add to kick up Lubricity.

[jdrop01]

Just ordered some Optimum from the Amazon be here on the 3rd! Decent priced now I need some S100 Wax by P21S

[lechess]

Adams car shampoo works great. But ive been using mothers california gold carnauba wash & wax. It's at a good price and can find it anywhere. I wash my car once a week so it never really gets to bad.

[Adam's Polishes]

Have you tried our new Car Shampoo formula?
Thick, luxurious suds, and a pH neutral formula make Adam’s Car Shampoo the ultimate way to wash your car. The concentrated formula produces more suds with less product and always rinses clean for a spot free finish that won’t scratch or leave water spots.
http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exteri...mpoo-16oz.html

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by Rainbow1616

I have been using Optimum but I just ordered P21S Body Work Shampoo since I like their wax so much thought I'd give it a try

Let us know how you like it after using it compared to Optimum.

Originally Posted by CCMADONNA

I love Adam's but when it runs out I'm going to try Ammo Foam Paint Cleanser.

I'm sure you will like it. I wanted to try it as well, but if I got it, I want the whole Ammo Paint regimen. $125 is a little steep for my budget! Let us know your thoughts after you use it.

Originally Posted by jshaf

Megs Hyper wash, and/or either of the poor boys, depending on if you want wax in it or not. love all three, better than any over the counter stuff IMO. love the lucidity of the Hyper though!

The Poorboys, (non-wax version) is one I want to try too.

The Megs Hyper struck me as hyped with their amazing 400-1 dilution ratio recommendation. So if I use 4 gallons of water in my bucket that basically comes to 1.5 oz of product. Just seemed they could have made it simple by saying just add 1.5 oz to your bucket.

Not saying it's no good, I haven't used it so I don't know. I like high lubricity though, I'm sure I'll try it at some point.

Originally Posted by Jackpot

Megs Hyper wash, with ONR add to kick up Lubricity.

That should be one slippery soap!

Originally Posted by jdrop01

Just ordered some Optimum from the Amazon be here on the 3rd! Decent priced now I need some S100 Wax by P21S

You'll like the Optimum better than the Megs, I'm sure. It has more lubricity and cleaning power. As a nice extra it makes suds that last a long time, and has a nice blueberry scent as well.

Originally Posted by lechess

Adams car shampoo works great. But ive been using mothers california gold carnauba wash & wax. It's at a good price and can find it anywhere. I wash my car once a week so it never really gets to bad.

I haven't tried that one. I found all OTC stuff (that I tried) to be lower on lubricity, cleaning power, and clean rinsing ability. But hey, if it's working for you and your saving money as well, that's never a bad thing!

[Rainbow1616]

Originally Posted by Adam's Polishes

Have you tried our new Car Shampoo formula?
Thick, luxurious suds, and a pH neutral formula make Adam’s Car Shampoo the ultimate way to wash your car. The concentrated formula produces more suds with less product and always rinses clean for a spot free finish that won’t scratch or leave water spots.
http://adamspolishes.com/shop/exteri...mpoo-16oz.html

Well I almost just bought a bottle to try it out but shipping was just as much as the bottle was.
I will wait till I get a big order and qualify for free shipping but I will try it thanks!

[CamaroJim56]

I am partial to Chemical Guys "Mr. Pink", creates long lasting suds, lubricity seems good, and a great price for the gallons.

ALL car washes today should be ph balanced, and I believe that none of them actually "clean", the principal I have heard is that they float the dirt up off the surface to be rinsed away.

Maybe i heard wrong.

[Joe M 2012 2SS]

Originally Posted by CamaroJim56

I am partial to Chemical Guys "Mr. Pink", creates long lasting suds, lubricity seems good, and a great price for the gallons.

ALL car washes today should be ph balanced, and I believe that none of them actually "clean", the principal I have heard is that they float the dirt up off the surface to be rinsed away.

Maybe i heard wrong.

CG Citrus wash & gloss is not ph balanced. I use it to strip wash before claying. I actually don't use clay, unless it's soft paint, use speedy prep towel instead.

A 2 bucket wash is designed to clean the paint of dirt, dust, road film, also fresh bird droppings and fresh bug splatter. Some of it will float off the surface because it's bond is not as strong to the paint. The rest has to be wiped off with your wash media (mitt, sponge, pad).

The cleaning power of a soap is it's ability to loosen all of these so they can be removed with minimal pressure. Soaps vary in this regard. Some by a lot. I like soaps that remove road film and oils by just gliding my mitt across the surface, while being safe on my wax/sealant(ph balanced).

So far, Lusso , Optimum, and Adams (blue), all perform well.

If your car is a garage queen, this may not be as big a factor as it is for a daily driver.

[jshaf]

Originally Posted by Joe M 2012 2SS

The Megs Hyper struck me as hyped with their amazing 400-1 dilution ratio recommendation. So if I use 4 gallons of water in my bucket that basically comes to 1.5 oz of product. Just seemed they could have made it simple by saying just add 1.5 oz to your bucket.

Not saying it's no good, I haven't used it so I don't know. I like high lubricity though, I'm sure I'll try it at some point.

dude if you lived close by I would tell you come on over and pump enough of it in to a spare bottle for you to try it three or four washes