[trixirangler]

Me and the roomate wash our cars, usually weekly (yes, I'm proud of my jeep ), and as a college student always looking to save money. I've been using meguiars car soap I found at a local autozone but was browsing online and it looks like I've been overspending.

Ok this might seem a little silly to some of you, but is there really a difference between car soaps? A quick google search and there is plenty of information (ex: https://www.pricenfees.com/best-car-wash-soap.html or https://www.chemicalguys.com/category_s/296.htm) about pH balanced formulas or super foaming soaps with/without emulsifiers, wax gloss enhancement etc. Is this all marketing tactic or is there really a difference in the quality of soap you can find?

I found a 100 ounce rainx brand soap for cheaper than meguiars I've been using which comes in 65 ounces.

Would my car even notice if I made the switch? Could I use dish soap or are those claims about it doing damage true as well?

 

[PAK325]

I use Meguiars, but that's because Sears regularly has the detail kits with the soap, quick wax, detail spray, and glass cleaner for $7. So I stock up often.

http://www.sears.com/meguiars-gold-class-car-care-kit/p-02811001000P

 

[trixirangler]

Well for that price I should probably be doing the same as you. So your choice is meguiars not because of any added benefit to using their soap, its just because you get it for a good deal - right?

 

[BuckeyeBud]

Try this site on for size

http://www.autogeek.net/

 

[PAK325]

Well for that price I should probably be doing the same as you. So your choice is meguiars not because of any added benefit to using their soap, its just because you get it for a good deal - right?

Yeah, I'm pretty price sensitive with everything, but if the difference is negligible, I'll lean toward a bigger brand.

The reality in America today, and this is true with most things, is that big brands tend to have more margin due to scale than off-brands, but also room to price discriminate, so if you're willing to put in a little work, there are deals to be found. They want every possible penny out of you, but they also want to make sure they don't miss the sale.

You would enjoy slickdeals.com. Put in an alert for "meguiars" and you'll get an email any time someone finds a nice deal.

 

[raz-0]

Dish soap will strip wax in general. Lemon soaps are way more acidic than you'd think. Skip the dish soap.

I use some never heard of them soap with polymer wax that comes in gallons. Seems to work pretty well at cleaning and leaves something slick on the finish that makes getting bird poop off a bit easier.