I just purchased my '07 Scion tC and I want to wash it, but I'm not sure which soap I should use. I have Meguilar's Gold Class Car Wash, but I have heard that it'll take off the polish/wax. Is this true? What soap can I use that will clean the car, but won't require me to re-polish/re-wax the car after I wash it? Thanks!

 

A capful of carwash soap in a bucket will not affect wax. Carwash soap is not really soap like bar soap or detergent soap that will cut grease. It is mainly a foamng agent to make suds to cushion the applicator (rag, mit, sponge).

 

Great. Thanks for the info!

 

poorboy's super slick and suds is my all time favorite soap. Optimum's car wash soap is a close #2

 

I've heard great things about Gold Class Car Wash. When I need more car wash soap, that's probably what I'm going to buy.

 

i use meguairs for everything

 

No, Megs is one of the the least agressive shampoos. NXT is very harsh in comparision.

Gold Class is one of the best OTC shampoos you can buy.

 

i use meg's deep crystal car wash, works fine

 

Blue Corral stuff that Walmart sells works great. A couple ounces in a bucket of water does the trick. Plus it doesn't cost as much as some of the others. Just stay away from spounges and mitts. They trap dirt and scratch the paint. Find a nice soft brush on a stick. Only way to go with the Scions soft crappy paint. Also, never wash in direct sunlight. Shade only and not under trees.

 

Autopia.com reccomends using a mit...

 

I'm happy for them Mitts hold dirt and can drag it over the paint and scratch. Brushes loosen the dirt but don't carry it around in the nap. Besides a brush is easier to reach everywhere also. The key is to find the right brush. There are alot of cheap ones out there that are too rough.

 

How soft does it have to be?

 

brush! nooooo!!!!

a microfiber wash mitt will work fine. after your done with each body panel, just spray it with the hose and it will get out the junk.

also, make sure you rinse the car first and apply suds before you touch the surface, this loosens up the dirt.

 

I switched from a brush to a mit because a brush seems like it could easily scratch the paint. I bought a sheepskin typ mit, idk what it's called but it's not a microfibre one.

 

Unless you're using an expensive boar's hair brush, then you will do more damage than a quality sheepskin wash mitt will do. Yes, mitts can hold dirt, but that is why you use a two bucket method and make sure you're constantly wringing it out and cleaning it of the dirt. The bristles of a brush will marr the paint, with or without dirt.

 

Mit user here. I would not use a brush on any paint surfaces.

In addition to the multi-bucket method (I use 4 myself), I have 3 mits as well. One is for hitting those dirty areas (on the side skirt, front bumper ledge and rear bumber ledge), one for the lower half of the box (the dirtiest IMO) and yet another for the upper half.

What you want, regardless of mit material, is a long, deep nap that gives any dirt a place to go when being rubbed aganist the paint.

 

The gas station I go to has a $1 wash with a gas purchase. I do that first, then wash with a mitt.

 

Is there any difference between $10 Gold class soap and $5 Eagle One soap besdes the price? Is it worth the extra money to buy Gold Class?

 

gold class is so much better then eagle one. i use meguires for everything.

 

a polish is not a wax, so any kind aof water, soap, car wash will take off a polish. a wax will fade over time. typically lasts about 4-6 weeks. ofcorse the more rain and water it is in, the shorter the lifespan of the wax. I go with meguiars all the way. NXT line is great!