Suds, suds, suds! Our customers often ask, “What soap should I use now that my investment is protected?” Choosing the right car soap can be a big deal. The answer is automotive soap. Similarly to when we are choosing a tire cleaner, our main goal is not to use something that could cause damage to your car.
What not to choose
Everyone has probably done this before, but you don’t want to use dish soap! It is the most readily available since it is in your kitchen already, but everything under the sink is going to be too strong for the surface of your paint. Any non-automotive soap is not going to be suited for your car and could deteriorate the protective wax that protects your paint.
Pro Tip: Don’t scrub in circles when washing your car. Continuous circular scrubbing can cause marring and circles in the paint. Try going from side to side instead.
How does dish soap harm your car?
The cleaning power of these products is very powerful. If you use dish soap on your cars paint it will strip all the protection of the vehicle, which will then open the pores of the clear coat. Once the sun hits these open pores the oxidation process starts. In no time, your paint is looking dull and beat up. The only way to get your paint looking new again is a two-step paint correction.
Then what do you use?
It doesn’t need to be fancy. Expect if your car has a special coating, then you will need a certain soap to keep your coating hydrated and performing at its best. If you’re not coated then you can choose the soap of your choice. Basic car soap is pH balanced while household soaps are not. Car soap also contains a lubricant that helps you paint last longer, while household soaps are made to do the opposite.
Pro Tip: Try using a bucket with soap and a second bucket with water. Get suds from one bucket while rinsing in the other to avoid scratching your car with dirt that is already washed off.
More suds the better! Remember to find a car soap you like. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it just has to be made for cars. Happy washing!
