DFB5.0
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The Concept -
During the 25 years I've been cleaning cars, I've tried more soaps than I should probably admit to. Over that time, I've found a number of soaps that have surprised and delighted. Naturally, I've also discovering plenty of duds along the way. In no way am I suggesting that this exercise is something you should follow, by and large they all do the same thing, albeit in different ways. However, with so many soaps on the market to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start, what is actually good and what is merely a shelf filler.
This thread documents every single soap I have used so far.
Soap 101 -
In detailing, soap is used for a couple of key reasons -
-To assist in the removal of dirt and contamination
-To provide lubrication during the removal of said dirt and contamination.
Those contaminants can range from the usual dirt and road grime, but also include bug, tar and iron deposits. Some will also target mineral deposits that can and will cause water spots, some help revive an aged ceramic coating, others will aid in the removal of an older LSP.
The pH value of a soap is also an important factor to consider as it ultimately determines the sort of cleaning you want to achieve. For regular washing, you want a pH neutral (7.5) or pH balanced (7.0 - 8.5) soap to help preserve your LSP and prevent premature weathering of plastics and rubber. To deal with excessive dirt, grime, bugs, oily substances and to strip waxes and sealants, a high alkaline soap will be the best choice. These alkaline soaps also help revive older ceramic coatings. For mineral deposits, an acid leaning pH is what you need.
Soap is administered via a foam gun (garden hose fed), foam cannon (pressure washer fed) and/or via a bucket and wash media (mitt, pad or sponge).
The Review -
Each product here gets a brief outline of its intentions, followed by usage notes and then a scoring system that covers the core criteria that I'm looking for in a soap. For me, I want a soap that has a pH value to suit my intentions, produces medium to thick foam, provides high lubrication, smells nice and cleans well. Probably in that order, depending on the application.
The first 3 soaps are what I consider the top 3 maintenance soaps on the market. These are the products that I use and recommend the most. The difference between the three is minor, choosing any of these will be a winner.
Carpro Reset – In my opinion, the best maintenance soap on the market. Exceptional foaming, exceptional slickness, exceptional scent and pH neutral. Reset is expensive, but this is a classic case of you get what you pay for. I keep trying different soaps, but nothing really seems to be able to match Reset as a total package.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Hard to describe, it’s simply brilliant!
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
Koch Chemie GSF – My current number two, GSF is a pH neutral soap making it ideal for maintenance washing, offering supreme lubricity and brilliant foam quality. It’s the scent that really seals the deal, one of THE BEST smelling products in the detailing world. Again, an expensive soap, but the user experience is bloody brilliant.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Cherry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
NV Snow – Number three on my list, this was the first soap I bought from a specialist supplier, a massive step up from what I had been using up to that point. Snow ticks every box, slickness, cleaning ability, foam quality, easy rinsing and pleasant scent. This soap is a runnier liquid, making it easy to measure and pour.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – “Pleasant”
PH Level – 7.2 (Note – I have seen numbers as high as 9.9)
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
The next three are my top 3 decontamination/strip soaps. Use these for occasional deep cleaning or in preparation for a new wax/sealant. Unlike the maintenance soaps, these are in no particular order.
Carpro Lift – This is a high pH soap designed for decontamination. Brilliant foam quality and strong cleaning power. It does lack some of Reset’s slickness and trades a sweet scent for a stronger “chemical” smell. Use this only occasionally to deep clean a ceramic coating, when preparing for a paint correction or when prior to applying a new wax/sealant.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Unscented
PH Level – 12+
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
Carpro Descale – This soap swings the other way compared to Lift, being an acidic product for decontamination washes. The acidic nature can help remove hard water spots. Descale is another product that can be used to revive an older ceramic coating. Again, a product for occasional use, I like to use this as a strip wash. Cherry scented and offering similar lubricity to Lift.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Cherry
PH Level – Not Specified, my testing showed about 3.7
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
Obsessed Garage Decontamination Soap – This is an interesting soap that will soon be freely available in Australia. It’s a higher pH alkaline soap that offers higher lubricity than the other two, offers brilliant foaming and strong cleaning ability. It has a solvent base for that added ability.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Mild Citrus
PH Level – 10.0
Consistency - Medium
Overall Rating – 9/10
The following products trace a line to the point where I have arrived at my top 6 soaps. Some are good, but not great products. Some are absolute dogs. This has been a near 25 year journey, the thrill of the chase being the motivation to keep looking, keep trying.
These are a few from my earlier days detailing -
Meguiar’s Gold Class – Available everywhere, this is a decent soap that foams up well and provides plenty of suds. This soap will leave a gloss enhancer behind, best avoided on ceramic coated cars. Being so thick and gloopy, Gold Class is harder to measure out than more runny soaps.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Musky
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 6/10
Meguiar’s NXT – Again, available everywhere with great suds. With “synthetic lubricating oils”, NXT will also leave something behind. It can also soften hard water, meaning its safer to use in the sun. This is also a thicker soap, making it harder to measure.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Fruity
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 6/10
Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax – Another thick, gloopy soap from Meguiar’s that will also leave behind a small amount of protection. I stopped using this due to poor cleaning ability and the fact it was leaving behind a residue on glass.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 5/10
Scent – Bubble gum
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 4/10
Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner – The single worst soap I have ever used, and one of the worst detailing products I have had the displeasure of spending money on. No suds, no lubrication, no cleaning ability. This stuff is utter garbage, run don’t walk from this pathetic product.
Lubrication – 2/10
Cleaning Ability 1/10
Scent – Can’t remember LOL
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 1/10
Bowden’s Snow Job – I started using this when foam cannons really took off. Initially, I liked how well it foamed. As time went on, I realized this soap lacks meaningful cleaning ability. It’s thicker consistency also made it harder to pour into the foam cannon. There are far better soaps than this, if you don’t want to purchase from a specialist supplier, then look towards Gold Class or Bathe instead.
Lubrication – 6/10
Cleaning Ability 1/10
Scent – Can’t remember LOL
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 2/10
From this point on, I’m commenting from more resent experience.
NV Snow Plus – This soap is a higher pH / alkaline soap designed for more cleaning ability. It lacks the pleasant scent of regular snow and is a clear liquid rather than colored blue. You would use this soap on dirtier vehicles or when doing a decontamination/strip wash, Snow Plus having the ability to remove or seriously degrade a wax/sealant. A brilliant choice and a staple of my cabinet for a number of years now.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 9/10
Scent – Un-scented
PH Level – 8.1 (Note – I have seen numbers as high as 12.1)
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 9/10
Adam’s Car Shampoo – This is a pH neutral soap offering superb foaming ability, decent slickness and a pleasing blueberry scent. This is also a good option for washing in full sun. It’s only drawback is a too thick consistency that makes pouring more difficult. It also a touch expensive for what it is. A decent soap, just not great.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Blueberry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 7/10
Adam’s Mega Foam – This is like Adam’s Car Shampoo, just on steroids. It foams better while maintaining a neutral pH, it also remedies the too thick consistency by being thinner and easier to measure out. Nice fruity scent as well. The only drawback is the price, being just too expensive for what it is. I actually like this product, I would certainly order it again………when on sale.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – “Fruity”
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 7/10
Gyeon Bathe – Gyeon offer a number of soaps, I think this is the one to go for. This is a maintenance soap that offers a runny consistency for easy pouring, a lovely scent and stunning foam quality.
This is one of those products that seemingly nails it across the board, it foams brilliantly, ultra thick with a high cling rate, it's very slick and smells nice. But for some reason, I just don't love Bathe enough to keep it in stock.
Lubrication – 9/10
Cleaning Ability 8/10
Scent – “Pleasant”
PH Level – 6.0
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 7/10
Koch Chemie AS – From what I can gather, Auto Soap was most likely a car-wash gantry-applied soap which KCx put into a retail-level bottle. I promises safe but effective cleaning at a lower price than GSF.
This is an odd product that I don’t really see the point in. It doesn’t foam, it’s lemon scent is weak, and it isn’t all that good at cleaning despite a higher pH of 9.0. While it’s considerably cheaper than GSF, that is not enough incentive to give this a try. Avoid.
Lubrication – 5/10
Cleaning Ability 5/10
Scent – Lemon
PH Level – 9.0
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 2/10
Optimum Car Wash Shampoo – A pH neutral soap that can be diluted up to 250:1 that's safe and effective for use on waxes, sealants and coatings.
If you like a thinner foam consistency, this is a great option. Medium thickness in terms of pouring consistency, it has a pleasant scent and offers decent cleaning ability. It's also free rinsing, meaning it doesn't reactivate during the final rinse. Another very good soap.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 8/10
Scent – Blueberry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Medium
Overall Rating – 8/10
P&S Pearl – The key attraction to this soap is the low price. P&S make some lofty claims of it high foaming ability, suggesting it has "unsurpassed foam coverage" Pearl is pH neutral and contains no gloss enhancers or wax.
I'm not going to beat around the bush here, I don’t like this soap. The high foaming claims are bogus, I just couldn’t get the thick foam quality they claim, and the type I normally prefer. The lemon scent is faint, the cleaning ability average and it’s low price is offset by needing to use more than other soaps per application. I have seen some suggestion that Pearl foams better when mixed with de-ionised water, but that is unrealistic for most. Cheap, but not cheerful.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent –Lemon
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 2/10
Stjarnagloss Sno – This is one of a couple soaps offered by this brand. Sno was designed as a pre-wash snow foam, as such it's not aimed at bucket/contact washing. For me, that is a deal breaker.
While Sno smells divine and foams like a champion, producing ultra thick foam, that's where the compliments end. As a bucket soap, it lacks lubrication and feels quite odd under a wash mitt. It also stained my foam cannon pickup tube blue. As a pre-wash soap, it does sweet f-all in breaking down contaminants in a touch-free manner. Not a soap I will be re-ordering.
Lubrication – 3/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Coconut
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 5/10
Adam’s Ultra Foam – Like the two other Adam’s soaps I have used, this a pH neutral maintenance product. I like how these soaps foam and then rinse away nice and clean, Ultra Foam is no different. The wild berry fragrance is fun too. All three of these Adam’s soaps are really good options.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent –Berries
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 7/10
Gtechniq G-Wash – Like Gyeon and Carpro, Gtechniq make a number soaps, G-Wash being their pH neutral maintenance soap. In no way is this a bad soap, it’s just not a great soap. The foaming is ok, the lubrication is ok, the cleaning is ok. The scent is not unlike GSF, however is just doesn’t reach the heights of what it should for a quality brand like Gtechniq.
Lubrication – 5/10
Cleaning Ability 5/10
Scent – Cherry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Thin-medium
Overall Rating – 5/10
Shine Supply Shift – I bought this soap as an afterthought and ended up being pleasantly surprised. I shouldn’t like this soap, it has slightly thicker consistency and a thinner foam quality than I like. But………I really enjoy using this product. The foam, despite being thinner, clings to the paint for a long working time and the coconut lime scent is delightful. It’s wont clean as well as Reset or NV Snow, nor is it as slick as GSF, but as a workhorse soap, it’s a pleasure to use. I like it so much I have gone and bought a gallon of the stuff.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Coconut-Lime
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Slightly thick
Overall Rating – 8.5/10
Auto Finesse Lather – I’m not going to beat around the bush here, I hate this soap!
Some of this dislike will come down to my usage patterns though. During my maintenance wash process, I rinse the car, foam it down and then do the contact wash with the foam still on the paint. I have the same soap in my wash bucket too.
Auto Finesse offer two maintenance soaps, Avalanche and the pH neutral Lather. Avalanche is geared towards pre-wash foaming and Lather is designed for bucket washing. In my opinion, I see no reason for using two different soaps during a regular maintenance wash. Lather is said to be “super foamy”, which led me to giving it a try. Except, it doesn't foam, at least not in an effective manner. The consistency is super runny and unlike other soaps that offer a thinner film, Shine Supply Shift or Optimum Car Wash for example, it doesn’t cling to the paint. The Scent had a hint of citrus, the cleaning ability ok and lubrication is fair. Overall, not a soap I will be re-ordering.
Lubrication – 6/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Tangerine / Citrus
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 1/10
Angelwax Fast Foam – A pH neutral maintenance soap designed primarily as a pre-soak. This is another soap I took a punt on, and I’m glad I did. The foam quality is exceptional, dwell time is fantastic with Angelwax saying the longer it stays on the paint, the more it will break down contaminants. It may not be Reset or GSF slick, but it’s not far behind. The only thing I would change about this soap would be to add a scent, Fast Foam is essentially fragrance free. A brilliant soap and certainly gets a pass from me!
Lubrication – 8.5/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – None
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 8.5/10
Bowden’s Own Snow Job – This is an Australian brand, one that I don’t believe is available outside of Australia and New Zealand. The original formulation of Snow Job was junk! Sure, it foamed well but it offered little to no cleaning ability. The new version is said to be an all-new formulation, addressing a few key problems with the original, including cleaning ability and the consistency of the liquid.
Snow Job v2 is now much runnier, making it easier to measure out. Like the original, Snow Job foams like a champ, producing thick and clingy foam. It also cleans better than the original, although still not to the level of the leaders. I also don’t really like the scent, almost like a commercial men’s room cleaner. Overall, an improvement on the original but not a leading contender.
Lubrication – 6/10
Cleaning Ability 6/10
Scent – Said to be “refreshing”
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 6/10
Wowo’s Detailer’s Shampoo – I ordered this soap without any expectations and ended up pleasantly surprised. The big selling point of this product is the versatile formulation. Use less (1:500), and you have a gentle maintenance wash. Use more (1:100) and you have a soap which can deal with heavier soiling. It’s also a pure soap, with no gloss enhancers or added sealants.
In use, Detailer Shampoo produces thick, shaving cream type foam, allowing it to have an extended dwell period. Slickness is great, as is cleaning ability, I also found it to be very free rinsing. The scent is rather strange, but apart from that, I found this soap to be a bit of a sleeper.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Violet, An acquired taste
PH Level – Variable, but 7.5 when diluted to 1:500
Consistency – Medium Runny
Overall Rating – 9/10
Ethos Foam Party – A pH neutral soap that is geared towards foaming and pre-wash soaking. Ethos is supplied by B&B Blending, which is owned by Adam's. As such, I'm fairly certain Foam Party shares a formula with Adam's Mega Foam, save for the color, scent and label design. That also means shares the attributes that makes Mega Foam great.
The ultra-thick foam is up there with the best and the dwell period excellent. Foam Party also performs well as a bucket wash, offering great slickness and cleaning ability. The pineapple scent is described as a “tropical getaway”. For the bottle size, it’s a touch expensive and the yellow colouring is not unlike diluted Betadine antiseptic, not a particularly pleasant visual in my opinion. But apart from that, I really like this soap.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 9/10
Scent – Pineapple
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 9/10
Mirch Blue Candy - This is a pH neutral maintenance soap that is extremely well priced. A 500ml bottle is only $14.99, 1000ml $22.99 and a 5 liter jug sits at $49.99. For comparison, NV Snow is $20.95 and $32.95 for 500ml and 1000ml respectively, a 4 liter bottle sitting at $76.50. If you are pro detailer, you can even get this product in a 20 liter drum for just on $110. (Prices in AUD)
Blue Candy is at home in a bucket or foam cannon, delivering thick shaving cream foam. Slickness and cleaning ability is on par, the rinse off easy without excessive reactivation. The scent is a strong bubblegum aroma, one that I didn't really care for. Blue Candy is not a favorite, but I can see the appeal and value it provides. If you keep an eye out, those above prices are often even cheaper on sale.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Sweet Bubblegum
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Moderately thick
Overall Rating – 7/10
DIY Detail Incredible Suds - A pH "balanced" soap that can be dialed up or down depending on your cleaning needs. While it can be used in a bucket, its main claim to fame is the ultra-thick foaming ability. So thick that DIY had to put out an updated dilution ratio to dial it back some. The candy-like fragrance is enjoyable, as is the slickness and excellent cleaning ability. But what makes it a winner in my opinion is the exceptionally easy rinse off, I have never used a soap that rises so freely. I could see this aspect being very attractive to pro-detailers looking for time efficiency. But..........
The price of Incredible Suds is just too much. A 473ml bottle is $34.95, a gallon priced at a ludicrous $179.95. Those prices rule it out for pro use, in Australia at least. A real shame, because this is an excellent product. (Those are AUD prices, so this aspect is not all that relevant for US readers, so go buy some, you will love it!)
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 9/10
Scent – Candy
PH Level – Balanced but variable
Consistency – Moderately thick
Overall Rating – 9/10
Gyeon Q2M Foam - Gyeon seem to be a bit cagey with this product by not quoting a pH level. As a pre-wash soap designed to soften and lift dirt prior to the contact wash, I suspected a higher pH is what delivers that. Tested with my pH meter, that theory played out with a reading of about 12.0. As such, I would only be using this as an occasional wash on dirtier vehicles or as a restorative decon for ceramic coatings. There is a hint of a lemon fragrance, and the foam quality is extremely thick. Think of Q2M Foam as Gyeon's version of Carpro Lift.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Mild Lemon
PH Level – 11.95
Consistency – Thin
Overall Rating – 8/10
3D Pink Car Soap - This is a soap from a brand aimed at professional users, where ultimate showmanship is not top of mind. Its pH neutral, and excellent value in gallon format. Despite the ultra-thick consistency of the concentrate, the foam quality is thin and watery. Having said that, the soap has a long dwell period and great slickness. The cherry scent is nice and rinse off is super easy.
Not a WOW soap, but a workhorse for professionals who don't need to impress the neighbors with a heavy snow job.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Sweet Cherry
PH Level – 7.8
Consistency – Thin
Overall Rating – 6/10
Gtechniq W4 Citrus Foam – This is a pH balanced foaming pre-wash designed as a first step in removing heavier contamination and road grime before the contact wash. Its citrus formulation provides added cleaning ability, while the balanced pH helps protect waxes and sealants. The mild citrus aroma is nice, and it foams thickly.
During the dwell period, W4 Citrus Foam breaks down and begins to run down the panel, taking dirt with it. I like to use W4 Citrus to loosen up accumulated road grime and bugs, in turn making the contact wash safer. I will note that this product is not as aggressive as something like Carpro Lift or Bilt Hamber Touchless, but sometimes that level of grunt is not needed. W4 Citrus Foam is the happy medium.
Lubrication – not rated
Cleaning Ability - 8/10
Scent – Citrus, quite muted
PH Level – 6.4 (as tested)
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 7/10
Koch Chemie GFX – Now, this is probably a pointless addition here considering it was never offered in Australia, and the fact it was a limited edition, but I have used it and so it deserves a ranking. In theory, GFX is apparently the same as the brilliant GSF, save for the cinnamon and pine Christmas themed scent. However, there is a pH difference between the two, with GSF rated at 7.5 and GFX sitting at 8.0. I have since found out that the difference in pH was to allow the scent to hold true.
In any case, GFX performs the same as the regular version, delivers top tier lubrication and foaming ability. And yes, the scent is delightful and one that lingers long after the buckets have been emptied. GFX is about as festive as I get these days. Considering how lovely the scent is, I can see this reappearing at some point in the future.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability - 7/10
Scent – Cinnamon and Pine
PH Level – 8.0
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 10/10
Bilt Hamber Touchless – I’ll be honest up front in saying this soap is not designed for me, I simply don’t need its extreme cleaning power. Uniquely, this is a sugar-based soap that contains corrosion inhibitors, and with a pH of 12.0, this is one of the most alkaline soaps you can use on your car.
Touchless was designed to do what the name suggests, removing accumulated road grime, bugs and dirt without touching the vehicle. The tricky part with this soap is what Bit Hamber like to term “panel impact ratio”, which translates to the ratio achieved once the soap hits the paint after being diluted by your foam cannon. Bilt Hamber present a rather complicated process to calculate this ratio, something that will vary depending on your foam cannon and pressure washer output. Some suppliers of Touchless provide a value to start with, but frankly, you really need to calculate this for your specific application. For me, this is needlessly complicated.
In use, it’s important to note that this is not a soap you would use for a contact wash, rather it’s a pre-wash foam to make the contact wash safer. Touchless is also a runnier foam than most, blanketing the vehicle in a thin layer of soap that breaks down contamination and allows it to be drawn from the vehicle as it drips onto the ground. After rinsing, you will be surprised at how effective this product is at removing dirt without laying a hand on the car. All I can say is, be careful with it.
Lubrication – N/A
Cleaning Ability - 15/10
Scent – Unscented, slight sugar cane type aroma
PH Level – 12.0
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 8/10
Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow Foam – One of the brands best products, this is a pH neutral soap that boasts impressive foamability and suitability for use on waxes and sealants. I note that it has gloss enhancers, which could work against you on a ceramic coating.
In use, Honeydew is easy to dispense due to its runny consistency. The foaming ability is exceptional, the slickness middle of the road. The scent is pleasantly fresh, although not a standout like GSF or Reset. The soap also rinses freely. I used this soap on vehicles with Gyeon Pure EVO ceramic coating and didn’t seem to have compatibility issues from the glossing agents.
This is a very competent soap. However, in Australia Honeydew is priced against some heavy hitting soaps, making it a hard sell for me. The overall score reflects this.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Scent – Subdued honeydew aroma
PH Level – 7.5 (claimed)
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 5/10 (At US prices, I would put this at 7/10).
Meguiar's Hyper Wash D110 – A highly concentrated soap with a 400:1 dilution ratio that is aimed at professional or bulk usage. In the US market, Hyper Wash is exceptionally affordable, priced below something like Adam's Car Shampoo or Mega Foam. In Australia, the $95 RRP puts it above the excellent 4-litre NV Snow or 3.8-litre Optimum Car Wash.
According to the SDS, Meguiar's doesn't provide a number in their marketing information, pH value of Hyper Dressing is about 9.0 to 9.8. In in theory, this delivers increased cleaning ability and improved wash efficiency. The formula is biodegradable and can be used in a professional metering system.
Meguiar's claim of "rich, stable foam" certainly rings true, Hyper Wash blanketing the car with shaving cream thick foam. The scent is pleasant but somewhat muted, so it won't "out scent" a soap from the likes of KCx, Carpro or Gyeon. While not class leading, slickness is agreeable and cleaning ability impressive. The thicker consistency of the concentrate does require more diligence when mixing up foam cannon and bucket solutions. Due to that thickness, this is a soap I would highly suggest fitting a dispensing spout/tap, especially if you have a narrow foam cannon opening.
Overall, an impressive workhorse soap that I have enjoyed using far more than I expected. If you are looking for something different as bulk soap, Hyper Wash is an attractive proposition. Just wait until its on sale though.
Lubrication – 9/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Mild, Pleasant.
PH Level – 9.0 to 9.8 (Note – I recorded 7.89)
Consistency - Thick
Foam Quality - Thick
Overall Rating – 9/10
P&S Frostbite - Debuting earlier this year, this is an alkaline leaning soap aimed at ceramic coating maintenance or when additional cleaning power is required. Frostbite was primarily designed as a foaming pre-wash, the ultra-thick foam clings to the vehicle to soak, break down and encapsulate contamination.
In use, Frostbite immediately impresses with thick shaving cream foam, in fact this is the first P&S soap that actually foams properly. I have used this soap as a pre-wash and as a contact wash, its abilities on both counts average at best. Diluted, foamed and allowed to dwell as recommended, I found most of the road grime still on the paint. Frostbite is nowhere near as effective as Bilt Hamber Touch-less in this regard. As a contact wash, it's not the most lubricious either. The scent is quite unique, a "Eucalyptus-mint" aroma. Measured pH sits at around 10.77.
Overall, not a standout product in my opinion.
Lubrication – 5/10
Cleaning Ability 6/10
Scent – Mild, Pleasant.
PH Level – 10.77 (measured)
Consistency - Thin
Foam Quality - Ultra Thick
Overall Rating – 6/10
Coming Next - Wash & Wax Series
During the 25 years I've been cleaning cars, I've tried more soaps than I should probably admit to. Over that time, I've found a number of soaps that have surprised and delighted. Naturally, I've also discovering plenty of duds along the way. In no way am I suggesting that this exercise is something you should follow, by and large they all do the same thing, albeit in different ways. However, with so many soaps on the market to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start, what is actually good and what is merely a shelf filler.
This thread documents every single soap I have used so far.
Soap 101 -
In detailing, soap is used for a couple of key reasons -
-To assist in the removal of dirt and contamination
-To provide lubrication during the removal of said dirt and contamination.
Those contaminants can range from the usual dirt and road grime, but also include bug, tar and iron deposits. Some will also target mineral deposits that can and will cause water spots, some help revive an aged ceramic coating, others will aid in the removal of an older LSP.
The pH value of a soap is also an important factor to consider as it ultimately determines the sort of cleaning you want to achieve. For regular washing, you want a pH neutral (7.5) or pH balanced (7.0 - 8.5) soap to help preserve your LSP and prevent premature weathering of plastics and rubber. To deal with excessive dirt, grime, bugs, oily substances and to strip waxes and sealants, a high alkaline soap will be the best choice. These alkaline soaps also help revive older ceramic coatings. For mineral deposits, an acid leaning pH is what you need.
Soap is administered via a foam gun (garden hose fed), foam cannon (pressure washer fed) and/or via a bucket and wash media (mitt, pad or sponge).
The Review -
Each product here gets a brief outline of its intentions, followed by usage notes and then a scoring system that covers the core criteria that I'm looking for in a soap. For me, I want a soap that has a pH value to suit my intentions, produces medium to thick foam, provides high lubrication, smells nice and cleans well. Probably in that order, depending on the application.
The first 3 soaps are what I consider the top 3 maintenance soaps on the market. These are the products that I use and recommend the most. The difference between the three is minor, choosing any of these will be a winner.
Carpro Reset – In my opinion, the best maintenance soap on the market. Exceptional foaming, exceptional slickness, exceptional scent and pH neutral. Reset is expensive, but this is a classic case of you get what you pay for. I keep trying different soaps, but nothing really seems to be able to match Reset as a total package.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Hard to describe, it’s simply brilliant!
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
Koch Chemie GSF – My current number two, GSF is a pH neutral soap making it ideal for maintenance washing, offering supreme lubricity and brilliant foam quality. It’s the scent that really seals the deal, one of THE BEST smelling products in the detailing world. Again, an expensive soap, but the user experience is bloody brilliant.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Cherry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
NV Snow – Number three on my list, this was the first soap I bought from a specialist supplier, a massive step up from what I had been using up to that point. Snow ticks every box, slickness, cleaning ability, foam quality, easy rinsing and pleasant scent. This soap is a runnier liquid, making it easy to measure and pour.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – “Pleasant”
PH Level – 7.2 (Note – I have seen numbers as high as 9.9)
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
The next three are my top 3 decontamination/strip soaps. Use these for occasional deep cleaning or in preparation for a new wax/sealant. Unlike the maintenance soaps, these are in no particular order.
Carpro Lift – This is a high pH soap designed for decontamination. Brilliant foam quality and strong cleaning power. It does lack some of Reset’s slickness and trades a sweet scent for a stronger “chemical” smell. Use this only occasionally to deep clean a ceramic coating, when preparing for a paint correction or when prior to applying a new wax/sealant.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Unscented
PH Level – 12+
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
Carpro Descale – This soap swings the other way compared to Lift, being an acidic product for decontamination washes. The acidic nature can help remove hard water spots. Descale is another product that can be used to revive an older ceramic coating. Again, a product for occasional use, I like to use this as a strip wash. Cherry scented and offering similar lubricity to Lift.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Cherry
PH Level – Not Specified, my testing showed about 3.7
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 10/10
Obsessed Garage Decontamination Soap – This is an interesting soap that will soon be freely available in Australia. It’s a higher pH alkaline soap that offers higher lubricity than the other two, offers brilliant foaming and strong cleaning ability. It has a solvent base for that added ability.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Mild Citrus
PH Level – 10.0
Consistency - Medium
Overall Rating – 9/10
The following products trace a line to the point where I have arrived at my top 6 soaps. Some are good, but not great products. Some are absolute dogs. This has been a near 25 year journey, the thrill of the chase being the motivation to keep looking, keep trying.
These are a few from my earlier days detailing -
Meguiar’s Gold Class – Available everywhere, this is a decent soap that foams up well and provides plenty of suds. This soap will leave a gloss enhancer behind, best avoided on ceramic coated cars. Being so thick and gloopy, Gold Class is harder to measure out than more runny soaps.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Musky
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 6/10
Meguiar’s NXT – Again, available everywhere with great suds. With “synthetic lubricating oils”, NXT will also leave something behind. It can also soften hard water, meaning its safer to use in the sun. This is also a thicker soap, making it harder to measure.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Fruity
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 6/10
Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax – Another thick, gloopy soap from Meguiar’s that will also leave behind a small amount of protection. I stopped using this due to poor cleaning ability and the fact it was leaving behind a residue on glass.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 5/10
Scent – Bubble gum
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 4/10
Autoglym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner – The single worst soap I have ever used, and one of the worst detailing products I have had the displeasure of spending money on. No suds, no lubrication, no cleaning ability. This stuff is utter garbage, run don’t walk from this pathetic product.
Lubrication – 2/10
Cleaning Ability 1/10
Scent – Can’t remember LOL
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 1/10
Bowden’s Snow Job – I started using this when foam cannons really took off. Initially, I liked how well it foamed. As time went on, I realized this soap lacks meaningful cleaning ability. It’s thicker consistency also made it harder to pour into the foam cannon. There are far better soaps than this, if you don’t want to purchase from a specialist supplier, then look towards Gold Class or Bathe instead.
Lubrication – 6/10
Cleaning Ability 1/10
Scent – Can’t remember LOL
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 2/10
From this point on, I’m commenting from more resent experience.
NV Snow Plus – This soap is a higher pH / alkaline soap designed for more cleaning ability. It lacks the pleasant scent of regular snow and is a clear liquid rather than colored blue. You would use this soap on dirtier vehicles or when doing a decontamination/strip wash, Snow Plus having the ability to remove or seriously degrade a wax/sealant. A brilliant choice and a staple of my cabinet for a number of years now.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 9/10
Scent – Un-scented
PH Level – 8.1 (Note – I have seen numbers as high as 12.1)
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 9/10
Adam’s Car Shampoo – This is a pH neutral soap offering superb foaming ability, decent slickness and a pleasing blueberry scent. This is also a good option for washing in full sun. It’s only drawback is a too thick consistency that makes pouring more difficult. It also a touch expensive for what it is. A decent soap, just not great.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Blueberry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 7/10
Adam’s Mega Foam – This is like Adam’s Car Shampoo, just on steroids. It foams better while maintaining a neutral pH, it also remedies the too thick consistency by being thinner and easier to measure out. Nice fruity scent as well. The only drawback is the price, being just too expensive for what it is. I actually like this product, I would certainly order it again………when on sale.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – “Fruity”
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 7/10
Gyeon Bathe – Gyeon offer a number of soaps, I think this is the one to go for. This is a maintenance soap that offers a runny consistency for easy pouring, a lovely scent and stunning foam quality.
This is one of those products that seemingly nails it across the board, it foams brilliantly, ultra thick with a high cling rate, it's very slick and smells nice. But for some reason, I just don't love Bathe enough to keep it in stock.
Lubrication – 9/10
Cleaning Ability 8/10
Scent – “Pleasant”
PH Level – 6.0
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 7/10
Koch Chemie AS – From what I can gather, Auto Soap was most likely a car-wash gantry-applied soap which KCx put into a retail-level bottle. I promises safe but effective cleaning at a lower price than GSF.
This is an odd product that I don’t really see the point in. It doesn’t foam, it’s lemon scent is weak, and it isn’t all that good at cleaning despite a higher pH of 9.0. While it’s considerably cheaper than GSF, that is not enough incentive to give this a try. Avoid.
Lubrication – 5/10
Cleaning Ability 5/10
Scent – Lemon
PH Level – 9.0
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 2/10
Optimum Car Wash Shampoo – A pH neutral soap that can be diluted up to 250:1 that's safe and effective for use on waxes, sealants and coatings.
If you like a thinner foam consistency, this is a great option. Medium thickness in terms of pouring consistency, it has a pleasant scent and offers decent cleaning ability. It's also free rinsing, meaning it doesn't reactivate during the final rinse. Another very good soap.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 8/10
Scent – Blueberry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Medium
Overall Rating – 8/10
P&S Pearl – The key attraction to this soap is the low price. P&S make some lofty claims of it high foaming ability, suggesting it has "unsurpassed foam coverage" Pearl is pH neutral and contains no gloss enhancers or wax.
I'm not going to beat around the bush here, I don’t like this soap. The high foaming claims are bogus, I just couldn’t get the thick foam quality they claim, and the type I normally prefer. The lemon scent is faint, the cleaning ability average and it’s low price is offset by needing to use more than other soaps per application. I have seen some suggestion that Pearl foams better when mixed with de-ionised water, but that is unrealistic for most. Cheap, but not cheerful.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent –Lemon
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 2/10
Stjarnagloss Sno – This is one of a couple soaps offered by this brand. Sno was designed as a pre-wash snow foam, as such it's not aimed at bucket/contact washing. For me, that is a deal breaker.
While Sno smells divine and foams like a champion, producing ultra thick foam, that's where the compliments end. As a bucket soap, it lacks lubrication and feels quite odd under a wash mitt. It also stained my foam cannon pickup tube blue. As a pre-wash soap, it does sweet f-all in breaking down contaminants in a touch-free manner. Not a soap I will be re-ordering.
Lubrication – 3/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Coconut
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thin
Overall Rating – 5/10
Adam’s Ultra Foam – Like the two other Adam’s soaps I have used, this a pH neutral maintenance product. I like how these soaps foam and then rinse away nice and clean, Ultra Foam is no different. The wild berry fragrance is fun too. All three of these Adam’s soaps are really good options.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent –Berries
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency - Thick
Overall Rating – 7/10
Gtechniq G-Wash – Like Gyeon and Carpro, Gtechniq make a number soaps, G-Wash being their pH neutral maintenance soap. In no way is this a bad soap, it’s just not a great soap. The foaming is ok, the lubrication is ok, the cleaning is ok. The scent is not unlike GSF, however is just doesn’t reach the heights of what it should for a quality brand like Gtechniq.
Lubrication – 5/10
Cleaning Ability 5/10
Scent – Cherry
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Thin-medium
Overall Rating – 5/10
Shine Supply Shift – I bought this soap as an afterthought and ended up being pleasantly surprised. I shouldn’t like this soap, it has slightly thicker consistency and a thinner foam quality than I like. But………I really enjoy using this product. The foam, despite being thinner, clings to the paint for a long working time and the coconut lime scent is delightful. It’s wont clean as well as Reset or NV Snow, nor is it as slick as GSF, but as a workhorse soap, it’s a pleasure to use. I like it so much I have gone and bought a gallon of the stuff.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Coconut-Lime
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Slightly thick
Overall Rating – 8.5/10
Auto Finesse Lather – I’m not going to beat around the bush here, I hate this soap!
Some of this dislike will come down to my usage patterns though. During my maintenance wash process, I rinse the car, foam it down and then do the contact wash with the foam still on the paint. I have the same soap in my wash bucket too.
Auto Finesse offer two maintenance soaps, Avalanche and the pH neutral Lather. Avalanche is geared towards pre-wash foaming and Lather is designed for bucket washing. In my opinion, I see no reason for using two different soaps during a regular maintenance wash. Lather is said to be “super foamy”, which led me to giving it a try. Except, it doesn't foam, at least not in an effective manner. The consistency is super runny and unlike other soaps that offer a thinner film, Shine Supply Shift or Optimum Car Wash for example, it doesn’t cling to the paint. The Scent had a hint of citrus, the cleaning ability ok and lubrication is fair. Overall, not a soap I will be re-ordering.
Lubrication – 6/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Tangerine / Citrus
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 1/10
Angelwax Fast Foam – A pH neutral maintenance soap designed primarily as a pre-soak. This is another soap I took a punt on, and I’m glad I did. The foam quality is exceptional, dwell time is fantastic with Angelwax saying the longer it stays on the paint, the more it will break down contaminants. It may not be Reset or GSF slick, but it’s not far behind. The only thing I would change about this soap would be to add a scent, Fast Foam is essentially fragrance free. A brilliant soap and certainly gets a pass from me!
Lubrication – 8.5/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – None
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 8.5/10
Bowden’s Own Snow Job – This is an Australian brand, one that I don’t believe is available outside of Australia and New Zealand. The original formulation of Snow Job was junk! Sure, it foamed well but it offered little to no cleaning ability. The new version is said to be an all-new formulation, addressing a few key problems with the original, including cleaning ability and the consistency of the liquid.
Snow Job v2 is now much runnier, making it easier to measure out. Like the original, Snow Job foams like a champ, producing thick and clingy foam. It also cleans better than the original, although still not to the level of the leaders. I also don’t really like the scent, almost like a commercial men’s room cleaner. Overall, an improvement on the original but not a leading contender.
Lubrication – 6/10
Cleaning Ability 6/10
Scent – Said to be “refreshing”
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 6/10
Wowo’s Detailer’s Shampoo – I ordered this soap without any expectations and ended up pleasantly surprised. The big selling point of this product is the versatile formulation. Use less (1:500), and you have a gentle maintenance wash. Use more (1:100) and you have a soap which can deal with heavier soiling. It’s also a pure soap, with no gloss enhancers or added sealants.
In use, Detailer Shampoo produces thick, shaving cream type foam, allowing it to have an extended dwell period. Slickness is great, as is cleaning ability, I also found it to be very free rinsing. The scent is rather strange, but apart from that, I found this soap to be a bit of a sleeper.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Violet, An acquired taste
PH Level – Variable, but 7.5 when diluted to 1:500
Consistency – Medium Runny
Overall Rating – 9/10
Ethos Foam Party – A pH neutral soap that is geared towards foaming and pre-wash soaking. Ethos is supplied by B&B Blending, which is owned by Adam's. As such, I'm fairly certain Foam Party shares a formula with Adam's Mega Foam, save for the color, scent and label design. That also means shares the attributes that makes Mega Foam great.
The ultra-thick foam is up there with the best and the dwell period excellent. Foam Party also performs well as a bucket wash, offering great slickness and cleaning ability. The pineapple scent is described as a “tropical getaway”. For the bottle size, it’s a touch expensive and the yellow colouring is not unlike diluted Betadine antiseptic, not a particularly pleasant visual in my opinion. But apart from that, I really like this soap.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 9/10
Scent – Pineapple
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 9/10
Mirch Blue Candy - This is a pH neutral maintenance soap that is extremely well priced. A 500ml bottle is only $14.99, 1000ml $22.99 and a 5 liter jug sits at $49.99. For comparison, NV Snow is $20.95 and $32.95 for 500ml and 1000ml respectively, a 4 liter bottle sitting at $76.50. If you are pro detailer, you can even get this product in a 20 liter drum for just on $110. (Prices in AUD)
Blue Candy is at home in a bucket or foam cannon, delivering thick shaving cream foam. Slickness and cleaning ability is on par, the rinse off easy without excessive reactivation. The scent is a strong bubblegum aroma, one that I didn't really care for. Blue Candy is not a favorite, but I can see the appeal and value it provides. If you keep an eye out, those above prices are often even cheaper on sale.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Sweet Bubblegum
PH Level – 7.5
Consistency – Moderately thick
Overall Rating – 7/10
DIY Detail Incredible Suds - A pH "balanced" soap that can be dialed up or down depending on your cleaning needs. While it can be used in a bucket, its main claim to fame is the ultra-thick foaming ability. So thick that DIY had to put out an updated dilution ratio to dial it back some. The candy-like fragrance is enjoyable, as is the slickness and excellent cleaning ability. But what makes it a winner in my opinion is the exceptionally easy rinse off, I have never used a soap that rises so freely. I could see this aspect being very attractive to pro-detailers looking for time efficiency. But..........
The price of Incredible Suds is just too much. A 473ml bottle is $34.95, a gallon priced at a ludicrous $179.95. Those prices rule it out for pro use, in Australia at least. A real shame, because this is an excellent product. (Those are AUD prices, so this aspect is not all that relevant for US readers, so go buy some, you will love it!)
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 9/10
Scent – Candy
PH Level – Balanced but variable
Consistency – Moderately thick
Overall Rating – 9/10
Gyeon Q2M Foam - Gyeon seem to be a bit cagey with this product by not quoting a pH level. As a pre-wash soap designed to soften and lift dirt prior to the contact wash, I suspected a higher pH is what delivers that. Tested with my pH meter, that theory played out with a reading of about 12.0. As such, I would only be using this as an occasional wash on dirtier vehicles or as a restorative decon for ceramic coatings. There is a hint of a lemon fragrance, and the foam quality is extremely thick. Think of Q2M Foam as Gyeon's version of Carpro Lift.
Lubrication – 8/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Mild Lemon
PH Level – 11.95
Consistency – Thin
Overall Rating – 8/10
3D Pink Car Soap - This is a soap from a brand aimed at professional users, where ultimate showmanship is not top of mind. Its pH neutral, and excellent value in gallon format. Despite the ultra-thick consistency of the concentrate, the foam quality is thin and watery. Having said that, the soap has a long dwell period and great slickness. The cherry scent is nice and rinse off is super easy.
Not a WOW soap, but a workhorse for professionals who don't need to impress the neighbors with a heavy snow job.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability 7/10
Scent – Sweet Cherry
PH Level – 7.8
Consistency – Thin
Overall Rating – 6/10
Gtechniq W4 Citrus Foam – This is a pH balanced foaming pre-wash designed as a first step in removing heavier contamination and road grime before the contact wash. Its citrus formulation provides added cleaning ability, while the balanced pH helps protect waxes and sealants. The mild citrus aroma is nice, and it foams thickly.
During the dwell period, W4 Citrus Foam breaks down and begins to run down the panel, taking dirt with it. I like to use W4 Citrus to loosen up accumulated road grime and bugs, in turn making the contact wash safer. I will note that this product is not as aggressive as something like Carpro Lift or Bilt Hamber Touchless, but sometimes that level of grunt is not needed. W4 Citrus Foam is the happy medium.
Lubrication – not rated
Cleaning Ability - 8/10
Scent – Citrus, quite muted
PH Level – 6.4 (as tested)
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 7/10
Koch Chemie GFX – Now, this is probably a pointless addition here considering it was never offered in Australia, and the fact it was a limited edition, but I have used it and so it deserves a ranking. In theory, GFX is apparently the same as the brilliant GSF, save for the cinnamon and pine Christmas themed scent. However, there is a pH difference between the two, with GSF rated at 7.5 and GFX sitting at 8.0. I have since found out that the difference in pH was to allow the scent to hold true.
In any case, GFX performs the same as the regular version, delivers top tier lubrication and foaming ability. And yes, the scent is delightful and one that lingers long after the buckets have been emptied. GFX is about as festive as I get these days. Considering how lovely the scent is, I can see this reappearing at some point in the future.
Lubrication – 10/10
Cleaning Ability - 7/10
Scent – Cinnamon and Pine
PH Level – 8.0
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 10/10
Bilt Hamber Touchless – I’ll be honest up front in saying this soap is not designed for me, I simply don’t need its extreme cleaning power. Uniquely, this is a sugar-based soap that contains corrosion inhibitors, and with a pH of 12.0, this is one of the most alkaline soaps you can use on your car.
Touchless was designed to do what the name suggests, removing accumulated road grime, bugs and dirt without touching the vehicle. The tricky part with this soap is what Bit Hamber like to term “panel impact ratio”, which translates to the ratio achieved once the soap hits the paint after being diluted by your foam cannon. Bilt Hamber present a rather complicated process to calculate this ratio, something that will vary depending on your foam cannon and pressure washer output. Some suppliers of Touchless provide a value to start with, but frankly, you really need to calculate this for your specific application. For me, this is needlessly complicated.
In use, it’s important to note that this is not a soap you would use for a contact wash, rather it’s a pre-wash foam to make the contact wash safer. Touchless is also a runnier foam than most, blanketing the vehicle in a thin layer of soap that breaks down contamination and allows it to be drawn from the vehicle as it drips onto the ground. After rinsing, you will be surprised at how effective this product is at removing dirt without laying a hand on the car. All I can say is, be careful with it.
Lubrication – N/A
Cleaning Ability - 15/10
Scent – Unscented, slight sugar cane type aroma
PH Level – 12.0
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 8/10
Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow Foam – One of the brands best products, this is a pH neutral soap that boasts impressive foamability and suitability for use on waxes and sealants. I note that it has gloss enhancers, which could work against you on a ceramic coating.
In use, Honeydew is easy to dispense due to its runny consistency. The foaming ability is exceptional, the slickness middle of the road. The scent is pleasantly fresh, although not a standout like GSF or Reset. The soap also rinses freely. I used this soap on vehicles with Gyeon Pure EVO ceramic coating and didn’t seem to have compatibility issues from the glossing agents.
This is a very competent soap. However, in Australia Honeydew is priced against some heavy hitting soaps, making it a hard sell for me. The overall score reflects this.
Lubrication – 7/10
Cleaning Ability – 7/10
Scent – Subdued honeydew aroma
PH Level – 7.5 (claimed)
Consistency – Runny
Overall Rating – 5/10 (At US prices, I would put this at 7/10).
Meguiar's Hyper Wash D110 – A highly concentrated soap with a 400:1 dilution ratio that is aimed at professional or bulk usage. In the US market, Hyper Wash is exceptionally affordable, priced below something like Adam's Car Shampoo or Mega Foam. In Australia, the $95 RRP puts it above the excellent 4-litre NV Snow or 3.8-litre Optimum Car Wash.
According to the SDS, Meguiar's doesn't provide a number in their marketing information, pH value of Hyper Dressing is about 9.0 to 9.8. In in theory, this delivers increased cleaning ability and improved wash efficiency. The formula is biodegradable and can be used in a professional metering system.
Meguiar's claim of "rich, stable foam" certainly rings true, Hyper Wash blanketing the car with shaving cream thick foam. The scent is pleasant but somewhat muted, so it won't "out scent" a soap from the likes of KCx, Carpro or Gyeon. While not class leading, slickness is agreeable and cleaning ability impressive. The thicker consistency of the concentrate does require more diligence when mixing up foam cannon and bucket solutions. Due to that thickness, this is a soap I would highly suggest fitting a dispensing spout/tap, especially if you have a narrow foam cannon opening.
Overall, an impressive workhorse soap that I have enjoyed using far more than I expected. If you are looking for something different as bulk soap, Hyper Wash is an attractive proposition. Just wait until its on sale though.
Lubrication – 9/10
Cleaning Ability 10/10
Scent – Mild, Pleasant.
PH Level – 9.0 to 9.8 (Note – I recorded 7.89)
Consistency - Thick
Foam Quality - Thick
Overall Rating – 9/10
P&S Frostbite - Debuting earlier this year, this is an alkaline leaning soap aimed at ceramic coating maintenance or when additional cleaning power is required. Frostbite was primarily designed as a foaming pre-wash, the ultra-thick foam clings to the vehicle to soak, break down and encapsulate contamination.
In use, Frostbite immediately impresses with thick shaving cream foam, in fact this is the first P&S soap that actually foams properly. I have used this soap as a pre-wash and as a contact wash, its abilities on both counts average at best. Diluted, foamed and allowed to dwell as recommended, I found most of the road grime still on the paint. Frostbite is nowhere near as effective as Bilt Hamber Touch-less in this regard. As a contact wash, it's not the most lubricious either. The scent is quite unique, a "Eucalyptus-mint" aroma. Measured pH sits at around 10.77.
Overall, not a standout product in my opinion.
Lubrication – 5/10
Cleaning Ability 6/10
Scent – Mild, Pleasant.
PH Level – 10.77 (measured)
Consistency - Thin
Foam Quality - Ultra Thick
Overall Rating – 6/10
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