Car wash soaps

[Greif]

My first time playing and putting on a good sealant (Wolfgang's). Just wondering how harsh automatic car wash soaps are and if they would strip the sealant?
Thanks

 

[Pull Ya]

Welcome to the forum!!! I don't know anything about the soaps themselves, but auto car washes(better know as tunnels of destruction) will surely damage your paint--almost guaranteed-- no matter what sealant or wax you have on your truck.
Jay

 

[Kinetic]

I'm assuming you're referring to the touchless washes and not the Swirl-O-matics. They do use harsh chemicals in their washes and is generally accepted that they will harm any protection you have on your vehicle short of most coatings, but even then i wouldn't risk it.

 

[ThunderMug95]

Just run it through a Blue Beacon...oh no!!!

 

[Quick_Shifter]

PH balanced soaps don't take off sealants, If you are running through automatic car washes they are using whatever was on sale that week. I would bet on the safe side and say automatic washes will strip off your wax/sealant. If you're gonna use public washes I would get in the routine of using meguiars fast finish after every wash. Its quick to apply and protects

 

[gixxer]

I would just avoid the automatic car wash. I find they don’t do much but drain the wallet.

 

[BTD07]

Look at it this way, if you are willing to take the time to put a sealant on your vehicle, you would in turn also be willing to take the time to wash it correctly. The touchless washes are notorious for hot temps and harsh chemicals. If you put a sealant, a regular 2BW will be much easier and quicker than no sealant.

 

[jpaskell]

Living in Phoenix and trying to keep a good looking vehicle, I use the tunnel. It is soooo hot, I would die washing this thing my self in the summertime.

 

[MarshRam]

NNNNNooooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh, don't do it man. Sinning is bad.....enough said above^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Sportznut]

I ran my 2014 Ram 1500 through the local car washes at least twice a month for 3 years and did not notice any problem with the finish.

Looked great when I trade it in. Maybe a change in the soap formula or in the finish?

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[BTD07]

I ran my 2014 Ram 1500 through the local car washes at least twice a month for 3 years and did not notice any problem with the finish.

Looked great when I trade it in. Maybe a change in the soap formula or in the finish?

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Its not that youre going to notice if youre not looking for it. Swirls and micro marring or the like are noticed by us OCD guys. To your average joe they will never notice it. Hell when I was younger I just assumed black cars paint is SUPPOSED to have swirls because everyones did. Boy was I naive.

 

[Sportznut]

Its not that youre going to notice if youre not looking for it. Swirls and micro marring or the like are noticed by us OCD guys. To your average joe they will never notice it. Hell when I was younger I just assumed black cars paint is SUPPOSED to have swirls because everyones did. Boy was I naive.

Thanks. Did not realize I was an average Joe. My parents always thought I was a little slow so I have made progress[emoji28][emoji28][emoji41]

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[BTD07]

Thanks. Did not realize I was an average Joe. My parents always thought I was a little slow so I have made progress[emoji28][emoji28][emoji41]

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Haha no offense meant man, I am just saying it is the type of damage youd need an LED on a light colored vehicle to notice sometimes

 

[Hudson]

Wolfgang is a pretty tough sealant, but its just that...a sealant. Sooner or later it will degrade on the paint an you will have no protection. As the others mentioned, use of ph balanced soap will extend the life of the sealant. You should also consider topping a sealant with a good wax like collinite 845 or 915. the wax layer will become the sacrificial layer before the chemical get at the sealant.

 

[Pull Ya]

Depending on the weather conditions, how often you wash your truck and how you wash it and if it is garage kept will usually determine how long a wax or sealant will last. Wolfgang sealant is usually good for about 6 months of protection and a wax is usually 2-4 weeks. Collinite 845 wax is an exception to the rule--it is a wax but also it is synthetic so you can expect a lot more longevity from it than you would from a regular wax. Wolfgang with a Collinite topper is a great combination IMHO.
Jay

 

[Sportznut]

Haha no offense meant man, I am just saying it is the type of damage youd need an LED on a light colored vehicle to notice sometimes

Haha. No offense taken. Do you think the swirls will be very noticeable on flame red? Never noticed them on the white.

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[Pull Ya]

^^^^ Yes
Jay

 

[jimh4662]

Note this: The gear heads with a four wheel drive out seeing how easy 4X4 get stuck in mud are running them through the washers. Crud doesn't get rinsed off the brushes,wipers, or what they are using. Touchless is just rinsing . Get a good boars head brush, bucket, and quality soap. Use a leaf blower to dry the truck after rinse. You will be happier. Ran an older truck through a wash on a 32 degree day. Ice crystals on the brushes. Ruined the paint. Looked like I ran 60 grit sandpaper down the sides. Take your time and put a good sealer on it. It will rinse and wash better, wont need to clean as often. I just tried Polish Angel cosmic v2. (I've tried them all). This one seems slicker, easier to apply,great shine, Water slides off with little drying, wash brush slides over like quicksilver . supposed to by H9 hard (benchmark for wax/sealant. It's a little expensive, small bottle but got three coats out of the bottle.
Wolfgang's also not a bad sealant.

 

[Pull Ya]

Polish Angel products are a deep and expensive rabbit hole to go down. But the results are unbelievable. Instead of a boars head brush I prefer as microfiber mit.
Jay