What is a gentle car wash to use that won't strip wax and isn't rough on the paint?

Accumulator said:
By "pretty close" I gather you consider Griot's to be inferior to, but in the same ballpark as, the Optimum- any particular reasons for your preference? (NO, not an :argue: I'm just always interested in this stuff).



Kinda suprised you find Gold Class anywhere comparable to the Optimum and the Griot's though :think:
Click to expand...



Gold class is a pretty distant third, I didn't really mean to lump it in with those three in particular, but they're the three I wind up using most (I have a gallon of gold class from costco that I use on friends cars, pre polish washes, etc). I don't really dislike gold class, just don't like it nearly as well as the other two.



I like Griots fine (and I can get it OTC around here which is a bonus), but it still doesn't feel as slippery to me as Optimum. The suds seem to die quicker as well, but that could just be my water too. Now all that said, following the instructions, you use half as much Griots as optimum to a 2 gallon bucket, so that might be where some of my perception is coming from too. It's good stuff though too. I've been playing around with some of the chemical guys washes too, and Citrus Wash is about the best thing since sliced bread for breaking down lsp's before polishing, I love that stuff. I got a couple samples of Maxi Suds II as well, nice but I still like Optimum better.
 
Phishy4- Thanks for explaining. I never really want suds, so that diff is the sort of thing I wouldn't have thought of, but it makes perfect sense now that you mention is. And yeah...I do pretty wacky dilutions by the time I mix up concentrate and then shoot it through the foamgun at various settings, so who knows what strength my mix turns out to be :nixweiss The shampoo mix in my wash bucket is about 1 oz/gallon but that's really just someblace to rest my wash media as I figure the foamgun does most of the shampooing.
 
Quick note: Carquest stocks the Duragloss wash if you're looking for something local. Well, my local one in Tacoma does. May be worth a phone call to check.
 
Accumulator said:
Phishy4- Thanks for explaining. I never really want suds, so that diff is the sort of thing I wouldn't have thought of, but it makes perfect sense now that you mention is. And yeah...I do pretty wacky dilutions by the time I mix up concentrate and then shoot it through the foamgun at various settings, so who knows what strength my mix turns out to be :nixweiss The shampoo mix in my wash bucket is about 1 oz/gallon but that's really just someblace to rest my wash media as I figure the foamgun does most of the shampooing.
Click to expand...



So I did a little experiment today (since I'm out of optimum). I mixed griot's at 1oz per gallon (usually I use it as they specify, 1oz per 2 gallons) which is what optimum is mixed at. It felt nearly identical to Optimum to me, and worked great. It worked fine before, but that extra slickness that I didn't feel like it had compared to optimum was definitely there @ 1oz per gallon. Good stuff. I might have to put of ordering another gallon of Optimum if I can keep getting griots at Advance Auto for online prices.
 
Phishy4- Hey, that's interesting, thanks for posting back about it! Almost funny that something as simple as the recommended dilution could explain it, huh? It's been so long since I read a shampoo label (or even just mixed it up normally...what with my foamguns and all) that it woulda slipped right past me!
 
Since we are at the Griot's performance I had my first try today on Acc's advice to compare with my current favourite FK118.



I used 1oz per gallon as per the label. My question would be if they mean 1US gallon as opposed to 1 gallon (almost 1,5lt difference on the 2 gallons...). I took the US assumption as GG is an American brand.



US gallon = liters 3.785

gallons = litres 4.546



On the important factors:

* Cleaning power: similar to 118. Happy.

* Lubricity: I felt my mitt glided somewhat easier with GG. Very happy.

* Water sheeting: similar to 118. Happy.

* Spotting: My take is that GG is more prone to dry spots than 118. Cautious.

* Looks: Similar to 118. Happy.

* LSP safety: comparable to 118. My RG55 is still there. Happy.



On the less important factors:

*smell: GG smells better that FK. Happy.

*suds: similar suddsing perhaps FK foam stays there a little more. Happy.

*quantity used: equal between both. Happy.

*packaging: GG is a lot more user friendly with the cap and the side oz scale. Very happy.

*cost: GG is more expensive than FK oz to oz. Cautious.



Overall a decent shampoo, which I will gladly use along side my still favourite 118. DG901 is up next.
 
Ch96067 said:
Since we are at the Griot's performance I had my first try today on Acc's advice to compare with my current favourite FK118.



I used 1oz per gallon as per the label. My question would be if they mean 1US gallon as opposed to 1 gallon (almost 1,5lt difference on the 2 gallons...). I took the US assumption as GG is an American brand.



US gallon = liters 3.785

gallons = litres 4.546



On the important factors:

* Cleaning power: similar to 118. Happy.

* Lubricity: I felt my mitt glided somewhat easier with GG. Very happy.

* Water sheeting: similar to 118. Happy.

* Spotting: My take is that GG is more prone to dry spots than 118. Cautious.

* Looks: Similar to 118. Happy.

* LSP safety: comparable to 118. My RG55 is still there. Happy.



On the less important factors:

*smell: GG smells better that FK. Happy.

*suds: similar suddsing perhaps FK foam stays there a little more. Happy.

*quantity used: equal between both. Happy.

*packaging: GG is a lot more user friendly with the cap and the side oz scale. Very happy.

*cost: GG is more expensive than FK oz to oz. Cautious.



Overall a decent shampoo, which I will gladly use along side my still favourite 118. DG901 is up next.
Click to expand...



Ch96067,

I just picked up some FK118 and used it a three times over the course of a week.



I would agree with you on several point comparing it to Griots-



I would say the Griots has more lubricity compared to FK118 but I would also say FK118 is the better cleaner of the two.There was some dried tar and bugs on one of the cars and both came off rather effortless when I used Finish Kare.



FK118 produced great foam in my Gilmour foam gun too, which I was surprised with as FK118 is one of the thinnest soap I have in my rotation of car soaps.



Overall both are excellent choices.



Curious as to your thoughts on Duragloss once you try it out.



Jeff
 
Anyone have input on Meg's Shampoo Plus? Strikes me as a very mild shampoo, so it should be LSP-safe. Cleaning power seems about on par with Gold Class, as well. And the price is good too.
 
mikenap said:
Anyone have input on Meg's Shampoo Plus? Strikes me as a very mild shampoo, so it should be LSP-safe. Cleaning power seems about on par with Gold Class, as well. And the price is good too.
Click to expand...



My neighbor uses it and it works well for him.
 
mikenap said:
Anyone have input on Meg's Shampoo Plus? Strikes me as a very mild shampoo, so it should be LSP-safe. Cleaning power seems about on par with Gold Class, as well. And the price is good too.
Click to expand...



Crappy lubricity the one time I tried it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top