Anyone familiar with car soaps can help?

[SFM]

Since I got a ceramic coating on my Stinger a while back, I've been washing it using water only with no problems. Recently, I decided to use car soap from a company called Sonax. The soap is called Sonax Gloss Shampoo, and they say that it's pH neutral. I washed my car using it twice now, and I can see the water beading when I first pressure washed the car before applying the soap.

After I applied the soap and rinsed it off, there was almost no water beading even after thoroughly washing off the soap. Although the second time I washed the car, the water beading was back. The same happened after I used the soap for the second time, water beading was gone (except for the windows, for some odd reason). So, I'm unsure if doing this will eventually completely remove the water beading? Thanks.

 

[Kia Stinger]

Since I got a ceramic coating on my Stinger a while back, I've been washing it using water only with no problems. Recently, I decided to use car soap from a company called Sonax. The soap is called Sonax Gloss Shampoo, and they say that it's pH neutral. I washed my car using it twice now, and I can see the water beading when I first pressure washed the car before applying the soap.

After I applied the soap and rinsed it off, there was almost no water beading even after thoroughly washing off the soap. Although the second time I washed the car, the water beading was back. The same happened after I used the soap for the second time, water beading was gone (except for the windows, for some odd reason). So, I'm unsure if doing this will eventually completely remove the water beading? Thanks.

Moved this topic into our Stinger Detailing forum...

 

[SFM]

Moved this topic into our Stinger Detailing forum...

I wasn't sure where to post this as it's just a general question about car paints and ceramic coatings. Thanks for moving it.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Why change what works? If water only works, it is at least soft water. You can use distilled or purified water and that's even better than soft water (soft just means that the particulates float instead of sticking to the surface and spotting).

 

[SFM]

Why change what works? If water only works, it is at least soft water. You can use distilled or purified water and that's even better than soft water (soft just means that the particulates float instead of sticking to the surface and spotting).

I felt like water only wasn’t removing all the contaminants from the paint, which is the reason I started using soap. But it looks the same in terms of cleanliness.

Also, using soap with a foam gun is satisfying which is why I want to continue using it if it doesn’t wear off the water beading.

 

[stoopid]

This page mentions doing an "IPA wipe down" with a ceramic coat to restore beading, which I had to google. It's the stuff on top of the ceramic that's causing water to not bead, so doing a isopropyl alcohol cleaning (20-50% concentration) supposedly fixes.

The soap you're using might have additives for wetting the water, etc that are leaving a residue on top of the ceramic coating. You really want basic basic soap and filtered water. Anything more introduces crap getting deposited on the ceramic coating. If it were me, I'd go back to water with maybe an every month or two with simple soap.

If you paid to have the ceramic applied, maybe contact the shop that did the work. If DIY, maybe contact the manufacturer of the ceramic kit you used. They'll know for certain the best next steps with their products.

IPA Wipedown: Dilution And (Safer) Alternatives | DetailDIY

IPA Wipedown Dilution - The optimal dilution ratio for most paint decontamination needs is 10% isopropyl alcohol to 90% distilled water.

detaildiy.com

 

[RedCal]

You can also do a prewash with a APC - all purpose cleaner, or wash it with a "strip wash" soap - as said above soaps with gloss enhancers or wax , cover up all that ceramic coating goodness,

 

[AYip31]

Even though the soap might say Ph neutral, it might not be made for ceramic coated cars.
the chemical that makes it add gloss might be the issue.
Gotta get something that’s made for ceramic coated cars.
Also get something from a known brand.
I use CarPro Reset for my maintenance wash, then for a drying aid I spray a mixture of CarPro Reload and CarPro Ech2o. To add extreme gloss.
Ratio of 10oz of Distilled water, 2oz of Reload, 1oz of Ech2o, into a spray bottle.
Or you can buy CarPro Elixir.
But I found the mixture is more cost effective.
Every 6 months I apply Reload

 

[SFM]

Even though the soap might say Ph neutral, it might not be made for ceramic coated cars.
the chemical that makes it add gloss might be the issue.
Gotta get something that’s made for ceramic coated cars.
Also get something from a known brand.
I use CarPro Reset for my maintenance wash, then for a drying aid I spray a mixture of CarPro Reload and CarPro Ech2o. To add extreme gloss.
Ratio of 10oz of Distilled water, 2oz of Reload, 1oz of Ech2o, into a spray bottle.
Or you can buy CarPro Elixir.
But I found the mixture is more cost effective.
Every 6 months I apply Reload

I researched about CarPro Reset and it seems to be the perfect soap. I ordered one. Thanks!