Which car soap?

[Retrospekt]

I went by Walmart today to have a look and I have these (cheap) options:

Blue Coral Car Wash
Rain-X Wash & Wax
ZIP Wax Car Wash
Rain-X Foaming Car Wash
Ice Car Wash (This was the most expensive)

Which one should I get? I don't need a Wash & Wax combination because I have a seperate wax that I'll use after I was.

Also, what should I use to wash the car? It hasn't been washed in ages (Previous owner was a bum) and it has a lot of particles on it. I don't have the money for a clay bar kit. Just a regular cloth towel I'm guessing..

Thanks guys.

[mmasse]

I happen to like Meguiars Gold class car wash. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Plus it really has an intoxicating smell to it.

[TrailDust]

Ph neutral is a must. Call the manufacturer if that info is not on the product label.

[humanoid]

Save the money and get the clay bar. If it really hasn't been washed in ages then the paint has a lot of contaminants on it and waxing it may put some very fine scratches on the paint when you do so.

[desentrix]

Originally Posted by mmasse

I happen to like Meguiars Gold class car wash. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Plus it really has an intoxicating smell to it.

I used it for the 1st time, right before I Plast-X 'd my family's head/tail lights. I gotta agree.

Oh and invest in a decent sheepskin glove or something to the extent. Later on, invest in a Mother's Clay Bar-- its not that expensive...

[TheKevin]

Originally Posted by humanoid

Save the money and get the clay bar. If it really hasn't been washed in ages then the paint has a lot of contaminants on it and waxing it may put some very fine scratches on the paint when you do so.

+1. i clay bar all of my cars every 6 months.

as for the soap, i use meguiar's deep crystal car wash
which i buy from wal mart as well.

[Tydog07]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

Ph neutral is a must. Call the manufacturer if that info is not on the product label.

That being said, what do you use?

[PhatRoyale]

Neither of those.

I would go with any car wash from Mother's or Meguiars.

[eddie926]

If you're buying from the local big box store, Meguiars Gold Class is about the best you can get. Some auto parts places like Car Quest carry Duragloss products and you can sometimes find Duragloss #901 which is also excellent.

Definitely get some clay. You'll be amazed what it will pull off after you think the car is clean. The Mother's clay kit available from Wal Mart, Advance Auto Parts and elsewhere is pretty good. Or, Clay Magic from Autozone is good too. I haven't personally tried Meguiars clay. Anyway, they're not that expensive, and well worth it.

Also, if the paint has been neglected, I'd consider getting a cleaner wax, or some polishes to clean/correct the paint. This is most easily accomplished by machine, but can be done by hand as well. Getting the paint in the best possible shape will make waxing and everything else easier afterward. And, the condition of the paint contributes more to how the car looks than the wax you put on top of it.

Definitely read the How Tos and get some good wash media for washing and drying. Poor washing techniques and tools cause most of the swirls and marring that you see on your vehicle.

[EKam]

http://www.p21s.com/products/bis_taw.html

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by Tydog07

That being said, what do you use?

I know there's some here who'll laugh, but Turtle Wax Car Wash is certified as Ph neutral while most of the competitors are not.

[Cooper S]

Dawn liquid dish soap - this will remove any wax/polish/silicone, grease, oil that is already on the vehicle. Then clay the vehicle and then wax it. If you have swirl marks, get a good swirl remover/reducer and then wax it.

[Dana_15]

^^^X2. Poor prep work with result in a poor shine. If you are not going to remove the old wax/residue and clay don't bother...

[AXMACD]

I use the Zip Wax wash!