Wash your PT with water only

[SMCruizer]

I wash my PT with water only. I have had good results from this with previous cars. My ten year old Eagle Talon still has decent paint from this method. I would recommend soap for a really dirty car, but other wise why strip off the polish? Soapy water can tend to dull the paint if it dries before you have a chance to rinse.

I have built a good coating of polish on my PT that really help protects it. Since there is no soap to strip the polish, it has built up to a strong protective layer. I usually just have to rinse it to get it clean, the dirt just comes off that easy with the buildup of polish. I use Liquid Glass polish, and no wax. Anyone else use only water to wash?

[PT_Sean]

Although water only might be okay, CAR WASH SPECIFIC SOAP should be used. Not only does it act as a cleaner where you need it (usually removing that scummy stuff that plain water doesn't), it does a better job on glass, it will NOT strip wax, AND it acts as a LUBRICANT, moreso than just water. Something that comes into play when the vehicle is real dirty and dusty.


Youe mileage may vary.

[SMCruizer]

You may be right about most of the car wash liquids out there not stripping polish or wax, but my experience is it does tend to remove some of it, and that seems logical. With Liquid Glass, I applied it right away when my car was new. They recommend a cleaning product if your car is not new before using the polish. Anyway, the protective layer built up with over five coats of polish now is great. I have had tar wipe right off of the paint with no effort.
I only wanted to share my experience with using water only, others may feel a car wash product is necessary, and maybe for them it is.

[PT_Sean]

I wholeheartedly AGREE that the bestest ( ) defense against the elements is multiple layers of a wax/polish.

Thanks.

[PT Frank]

Water only? Not the way to go. Talk about scratching a finish up. You need the lubrication that soap contains to reduce surface scratching as you wipe. Without it, your introducing fine scratching that water alone cannot prevent. The whole idea is to get the dirt up, so, with those suds and lubrication, your lifting the particles away from the surface. Just like it's designed to do. Also, use a good lambs wool mitt (no sponges, they scratch too), two buckets, one for suds and one for rinse, and finally, a microfiber drying towel (preferably the waffle weave type). Cotton towels can cause scratches. Yes, even 100% cotton can scratch the finish. Write to me if you need good links for supplies.

[LuvMyCar]

You guys are forgetting the most important reason for using soap! You get to spend MORE TIME caressing the cruiser!!! And we all know the value of quality time with our loved ones

[MCRUZ]

[quote=Frank's PT]
I agree, you need the lubrication of the soap, I can't imagine how many scratches would show up on my black clearcoat without the lubricating effect of the soap (quality car wash soap of course).

[KRUZR2]

Frank Is Right On... You Need Soap To Emulsify The Dirt So It Does Not Scratch The Surface......
Just My 2 Cents.... I'm Still Using Soap... Kruzr2

[Mark1]

Water alone will remove the polish. One study said an avarage coat of wax will be gone after 7 rains. So unless you wax your car after every seven times it gets wet, you are losing polish anyway.

[JOEM]

Yes...how can do perform such an act on your baby without proper lubrication?