Product Review: Prima Mystique Auto Wash

Bunky

Detailing Gnosis
Review: Prima Mystique Auto Wash

Introduction
I received this free sample from John

Product Description
Mystique Auto Wash is a concentrated wash solution that lubricates the surface as safely lifts dirt and sheets it away. Unique polymers brighten the paint while leaving it feeling slick and conditioned. With regular use, you will notice your wax lasting longer and looking better. As you rinse Mystique from the surface of your vehicle, keep an eye on the glass and you will see tight beads as the water flows across it.

Product Details:
Packaging: High quality PETE bottle with flip top dispenser, slick looking labeling (all Prima line)
Directions from package: Mix 1-2 ounces with 5 gallons of water.
Size: 16 oz. (also available in 1 gallon)
Current Price: $9.99 (product used was sample provided free of charge)
Manufacturer: Prima Car Care, Denver, Colorado
Country of Origin: USA
Interesting warning on label: First aid: Eye or SKIN (capitalization added). Flush with water for 15 minutes and call a physician if irritation persists.

Additional products used:
Wash buckets (x2), grit guards,
Wash mitt: Race Glaze wool mitt
Drying: Metro Master Blaster, 19A while running
Vehicles Used: 1997 Dodge Dakota, 2009 Lincoln MKZ

Product notes:
Scent: light perfume (?) soap smell
Consistency: medium (not watery or gelish)
Color: Purple tint

Method of Preparation, Application, and noted Observations:

For both washes, I ended up using 1/2 oz per gallon which is on the high end of the recommendation. On the Dakota, I washed the wheel area first with a dedicated wash bucket and on the MKZ I washed the wheels last last with the residue soap. I used the two bucket method with the grit guard only in the rinse bucket.

Mixing the soap
When mixed, the between the finger slickness is on the low end compared to many soaps. It is not quite like 1z Perls whch is more like ONR. It is my understanding the choice of surfectants used that determines this slickness attribute. It may also explain the suds characteristics noted below.

I added the soap to the wash bucket and then added the water so this would generate the maximum amount of suds. It generated very light suds that fill up the bucket





Wash process
In my process, I usually do the upper surfaces first, then each side, rear and front. I do the wheels depending on the mood. With the Dakota, I washed them first with a dedicated bucket and on the MKZ I washed them last. I rinse each section and then slow rinse prior to drying so soap and water sit on the paint for longer than some do so rinsing ease is a plus. I do have a whole house water softener system.

As used on the paint with the mitt, it did not feel as slick as some soaps but I think sudsy soaps make thick wool mitts glide easier over the paint (my theory). From a practical sense, I did not really think there is any difference in terms of safety. It may be this soap should be used with a mf mitt which I also prefer with ONR rather than a lambs wool.

Suds during wash 1


Suds during wash 2


End of wash wash bucket after doing wheels


End of wash rinse bucket


Drying
I used a Master Blaster to dry both vehicles although I had to come back on the Dakota since the sun came out during the middle of the wash and it spotted so I had to wipe it down with PB's Spray and Wash so I discounted that drying experience.

The other UDM (Ultimate Drying Machine)


Water sheeted, ,moved inside the garage, and ready to dry


There is a claim that "as you rinse Mystique from the surface of your vehicle, keep an eye on the glass and you will see tight beads as the water flows across it". If I judge it by the sheeted look, I never saw "tight" beads but it rinsed well. I was applying a new LSP after this wash since the LSP was not in great shape.

Dried (after jambs wiped down)


Observation Summary
Suds: At 1/2 oz per gallon, generates very light suds that will fill the buclet. Did not use a 0.2 oz per gallon (minimum recommended dilution)
Suds regeneration: OK.
Suds at end of wash: light suds at end of wash after washing wheels
Rinseability: Very Nice
Rinseability when left on paint: Nice
Cleaning ability: OK
Between the finger lubricity: Lower end of range
General lubricity: OK
Sheeting: Very good
Ease of drying with master blaster: Very Good
Post Wash Gloss/slickness: No obvious gloss difference but given the ease of drying I consider it did leave the surface slicker
Foam Gun: Not used

Summary
Mystique is a little bit different than other soaps given it's very light sudsing characteristics. It rinsed nicely with minimal soapy residue and also dried nicely with the master blaster. The open note is cleaning ability. I did not really get a chance to try it on something really dirty to see how it performed. Price wise it could be considered fairly economical if you used the 1 oz to 5 gallon dilution. BTW, I did not notice any irritation (did not use nitrile gloves). I will probably try again later with a mf mitt and use something closer to 1 ounce per 5 gallons.
 
Great review Al. This was one soap that I can honestly say that I didn't care for. I found I had to really use a lot of this product to get it to foam and the suds just didn't seem to last for me. It seems to clean ok but there are other soaps that I prefer over this Mystique.
 
Nice review. This Mistique sounds alot like Meguiars Shampoo Plus from their Detailer line. What are your thoughts on that?
 
Nice review, Al. I have been wanting to try this product for a while and I'm glad you did a review on it!
 
Very nice review Al. What would you compare Mystique to as far as other soaps you have used? (ONR, Meg Shampoo+)
 
Great stuff, Al. I do remember hearing from Richard@Blackwow or perhaps Nick@Prima directly that the foaming capabilities is not Mystique's bread and butter. The actual lubricity and cleaning ability is where the Mystique excels in.
 
Thanks all.

Suds is definitely a personal thing. I also think lubricity can be tricky too because if you put your hand in a bucket of ONR and a bucket of soap many people will say the soap is far slicker. I also think the choice of mitt can be a variable so I will try it again with a mf mitt.

My favorite soap as of late is Optimum but it can be too sudsy even at 0.5 ounce per gallon so I will try using less to see how that works. It works great in a foam gun.
 
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