Best car shampoo and car wash

If I had to say what is best overall it would be something like 3D Pink or Meguiar's Hyper Wash just because the cost/performance.

However.there are a lot of good soaps at various price points based upon such criteria as: foaming, lubricity, scent, cleaning, skin irritation, ease of rinsing, cost, added wax, added gloss, etc.
 
+1 for both of those (Meguiar's Hyper and 3D Pink), they are my fav's right now for same reason Value. Perform very well and cost is very reasonable near cheap once you figure in dilution ratios its usually cheaper then the watered down junk from local wally world or parts store.
 
Good all purpose wash I like Poorboys super slick and suds. Just got a gallon. I like optimum care wash.

I also have tried some More expensive shampoos and I see little difference.
 
3D Pink, DP Power Wash, CG Honeydew, and Optimum Car Wash. Just use whatever I feel like enjoying the smell of.

The only dedicated soap I use is Iron-X Snow Soap for decon (along with traditional Iron-man) and prior to correcting work.

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Optimum car wash , Pink 3d is a good cleaning soap does not leave gloss enchancers which is good if you going to wax / seal..
 
I rarely do a traditional car wash anymore. Mainly Rinseless and Waterless these days. But when I do, I've used 3D Pink with excellent results.
 
Yeah the rinseless alternative is really becoming so popular that it will soon replace soaps and foam as the preferred method if it hasn't already. With newer products such as WG Uber rinseless, these types of products keep getting better and better. I rarely ever use soap and even then I usually ask myself afterwards...why did I do that? Also keep in mind that a lot of this rinseless craze is because the LSPs are also getting better including coatings which are practically self cleaning when rained on or driving in the rain. Cars just don't get as dirty as they once did for the most part. That's another reason why I gave up waxes years ago.
 
There are so many shampoos that are so similar. Really - you can use anything from PBMG and most of them work just fine. Here are some that stand out off the top of my head for various reasons:

All shampoos at dilutions recommended on the bottle...

1. Prima Mystique: Just a crappy soap. Doesn't foam well. Costs a lot. Smells like lavender if I recall, which I don't like. Basically, a crappy soap from a company who makes great stuff.

2. Sonax Gloss: a nice shampoo. Reminds me of hair shampoo. Can't fault this one. Extra points for being German.

3. PBMG soaps: Most are good. None are worth the $$$.

4. Optimum shampoo: Amazing in the fact the suds will literally last in the bucket piled high for days. You can foam up a bucket, leave it there, and suds will be there 2 days later. Would buy this by the gallon when the time comes.

5. CG Honeydew: One of the only soaps I buy by the gallon. Nothing seems to work better in a foam cannon and price isn't bad. Love the smell. Foam seems to cling to paint better than anything else I've tried in a cannon.

6. DP Foam: Not as good as Honeydew. Costs more. Smell is mint which I like. Only get if on BOGO.

7. 1Z Gloss: Great shampoo for 2 reasons. First, it's super concentrated. An ounce per 5 gallons is more than enough. Second, you can see the gloss it adds. Would buy this again. Plus +1 for being German...

8. PBs SSS: Great shampoo. Does everything well. I like it and like supporting PBs.

9. Lusso Oro: Luxury. Luxury. Luxury. Super smelling, rich, foamy shampoo. Cost a lot. If you roll wax & $80+ gallon shampoos - this is for you.

10. P21S: I like this. It feels special, but it's not super foamy. Says it's made of a bunch of natural junk. I use this when the car is only a little bit dirty. I shy away now from saying a soap is "mild" - because I'm not sure how you even determine that.

11. CGs Citrus Red: Use this before polishing, because I've bought into the hype it's a "strong cleaner". Really, when you dilute it an oz per gallon it makes a ton of foam and the solution feels substantial. I also use it 1:30 in a spray bottle to clean wheels. I buy this by the gallon. Not sure why you can't buy it from CGs directly.

12. CG's Gloss Works: the smell is awesome (watermelon) and it's a solid shampoo. Whatever the "gloss" stuff is in it, it inhibits beading - won't buy this again.

13. CGs Citrus Wash n Gloss: Same beading problem as above. It's a pain you have to shake it. After a while it looses its bright yellow color in the bottle and looks like old milk. Having to shake up a gallon of this would be a real PIA. Although, dilution ratio is very good - so it's a bargain.

14. Duragloss: A real good shampoo. Wash solution is very substantial and foamy - but you use a lot (1oz : gallon). Smells like Robitussin with Codeine (cherry) - not a big fan of the smell.

15. Ultima: People seem to love this, I'm not quite sure why. It's OK - not great. Doesn't smell like much. Works fine enough.

16. Dodo's B2BM: Expensive for what you get. Nice packaging. Prolly would only buy this if your using a Dodo wax.

17. Vic's Super Soap: Very concentrated, uniquely smells like apples. Color is clear. Use with wax. Good suds. You should try this is you are into wax.

18. Mothers Wash n Wax: Not bad. Doesn't stand out much. A little weak on suds. The color of snot. Works just fine if your not looking to spend a lot.

19. CG's Mr Pink: Doesn't excel at anything. Reminds me of Maxi Suds just diluted down. Basically, you can do without this one.

20. Sonus: completely unremarkable soap. Skip it. But if can get it for free it will work OK.

21. CarPro HydroFoam: only use this for wheels in a spray bottle, and I like it. Clean and protect in one step. Awesome beading. Decent foaming. Way to expensive to use on paint on a car with LSP. Basically, a great niche soap.

22. Megs OTC "Crystal" shampoo: Skip it. Just a cheap shampoo. You need a ton of it to make even decent foam. It's clear and I don't recall it smelling like anything. Dunno if they even make this anymore. If you have to go OTC - go Mothers.

23. CGs Maxi Suds: Works well in foam cannon and in bucket. Priced right. Good all around soap. May degrade wax. Prolly good choice is you roll a sealant and don't want to spend a lot.

24. Griots car wash: Unremarkable. Doesn't foam well. Nice packaging. You use a lot. Expensive. Skip it and get PoorBoys or Vic's.

This is all I can think of off the top of my head, without going through my collection.
 
If money is no option, Dodo Born to be Mild, otherwise, either the red or blue Adams, HD, or Hyperwash.
 
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