Soap or Just Water?

Lane Cypert · 06-05-2008, 08:06 AM

I have heard that it is best to use just water and not soap when washing your truck if it's not extremely dirty. I heard that the soaps can stay in th paint and be bad for the paint over time. My truck usually doesn't get that dirty so I usually just use water and a microfiber mit to wash my truck. I was checking to see if it is better to go with or without soap to wash the truck. I would like to hear some feedback!

lsocoee · 06-05-2008, 08:07 AM

I've always heard that the soap helps to lubricate the grit and make it slide away easier. I've never washed with just water.

humanoid · 06-05-2008, 08:13 AM

Use soap, but just don't let a soaped up truck dry with it on, it'll leave streaks. Don't use regular soap either use a car washing liquid.

Ridgerunner · 06-05-2008, 08:30 AM

..........this truck has seen nothing but HOT WATER its entire 7 yrs. The secret is keeping it up with a high end sealant glaze. I swear by "Klasse"

Janster · 06-05-2008, 08:34 AM

I'd definately use soap.... just don't use any old soap. Get car wash type soap or even the specialty brands like Zaino, Mothers, McGuiares etc. There's a lot of oily grime that water won't necessarily break it down and remove it.

You don't wanna use dishwashing soap - as that can remove the polish/waxes.

05TacoTRD · 06-05-2008, 08:45 AM

ONLY use car wash liquid. Don't try using dish soap, I don't know why people think thats a good idea.

Ridgerunner · 06-05-2008, 08:54 AM

Well I'm outnumbered as usual but hot water has worked for me and I've used nothing BUT that for years. Ive saved THOUSANDS by not buying car soap and my 7 year old finish is like showroom with pics to prove it. So let my ONE testimonial show you the possibility. Try it a couple times after you wax your truck. You'll like it. By the way-I've heard that soap acts as a 'lube'-that's true if you have gritty dirt to get off. I have no swirls or scratches on mine and I use hot water to wash even after a rain.

mShu7 · 06-05-2008, 03:07 PM

NEVER wash your vehicle with water alone. Buy a quality car shampoo that contains lubricating and conditioning oils. Water alone isn't a lubricant so using a quality shampoo will leave you with a better finish than water alone. Just don't use dish soap. Dish soap is what will dry out the paint, trim, and everything else on the car.

Ridgerunner · 06-05-2008, 05:46 PM

So everything I said about doing it for years and NOT having finish issues you are saying I'm full of it?? Look at the pics man-my finish is perfect and I think you could at least acknowledge that if it's working for me then it works sometimes. I dont get the disrespect here mShu7

tacomaman06 · 06-05-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

So everything I said about doing it for years and NOT having finish issues you are saying I'm full of it?? Look at the pics man-my finish is perfect and I think you could at least acknowledge that if it's working for me then it works sometimes. I dont get the disrespect here mShu7

hey man, relax. i think mshu7 is just giving his opinion on what the original poster was asking about. i dont believe he was ripping on you. hey, if it works......keep on doin it bro

!!

Ridgerunner · 06-05-2008, 05:55 PM

Hey T-dont mean to come across bad I just think it's a slap to come in right behind me and say NEVER use just water as if to say dont listen to that guy like Im lying about my results with plain water. I got this hot water technique from a guy I lived next door to and he owned Porsches! He got the concept from his Porsche dealer. They wrong too?

chris4x4 · 06-05-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

..........this truck has seen nothing but HOT WATER its entire 7 yrs. The secret is keeping it up with a high end sealant glaze. I swear by "Klasse"

That truck looks SWEET! Very nice shine!

tacomaman06 · 06-05-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

Hey T-dont mean to come across bad I just think it's a slap to come in right behind me and say NEVER use just water as if to say dont listen to that guy like Im lying about my results with plain water. I got this hot water technique from a guy I lived next door to and he owned Porsches! He got the concept from his Porsche dealer. They wrong too?

i get what you are saying bro, but dont take it as anything. its just an opinion. i use hot water also, but i use carwash soap too. no one is really wrong, just have different ways of doing things. like i said, since it has worked for you for this long.....keep it up, hell, your truck looks awesome man!! i prefer soap and hot water, but thats just my preference.............if it works.......keep on workin it

!!

chris4x4 · 06-05-2008, 06:02 PM

When I was in High Skrewel, I worked for a company that washed Iported exotic cars and air planes. We used only HOT water. It worked really good. People who have $200,000.00 and up cars seemed happy with how their cars turned out. My Dad would only wash his plane with hot water as well. Me? I dont feel like tying into my water heater and installing a hose bib. With my luck, I would go to water the plants and burn the Crap out of myself because I turned on the wrong faucett.

Ridgerunner · 06-05-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomaman06

i get what you are saying bro, but dont take it as anything. its just an opinion. i use hot water also, but i use carwash soap too. no one is really wrong, just have different ways of doing things. like i said, since it has worked for you for this long.....keep it up, hell, your truck looks awesome man!! i prefer soap and hot water, but thats just my preference.............if it works.......keep on workin it

!!

.............I value your response T-thanks and I'll cool out.

tacomaman06 · 06-05-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridgerunner

.............I value your response T-thanks and I'll cool out.

no prob man........and im gonna have a beer for ya right now

!!! hell, i may have 4 or 5 for ya!!!

Ridgerunner · 06-05-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris4x4

When I was in High Skrewel, I worked for a company that washed Iported exotic cars and air planes. We used only HOT water. It worked really good. People who have $200,000.00 and up cars seemed happy with how their cars turned out. My Dad would only wash his plane with hot water as well. Me? I dont feel like tying into my water heater and installing a hose bib. With my luck, I would go to water the plants and burn the Crap out of myself because I turned on the wrong faucett.

............Chris thanks for the props bud

It's all about the GLAZE on the finish. I am SO glad you mentioned planes because Klasse was BORN of planes, boats and moved into high end cars after.

chris4x4 · 06-05-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomaman06

i prefer soap and hot water,

I prefer a handfull of quarters, and an enclosed place with a high pressure wand!

Oh, and my HOA doesnt allow for vehicles being washed on the property.

06-05-2008, 08:06 AM	#1
Lane Cypert Member Joined: Apr 2008, #5786 Location: Lewisville, Texas Posts: 98 2008 silver prerunner double cab TRD 2008 Double Cab Automatic 4.0	Soap or Just Water? I have heard that it is best to use just water and not soap when washing your truck if it's not extremely dirty. I heard that the soaps can stay in th paint and be bad for the paint over time. My truck usually doesn't get that dirty so I usually just use water and a microfiber mit to wash my truck. I was checking to see if it is better to go with or without soap to wash the truck. I would like to hear some feedback!

06-05-2008, 08:07 AM	#2
lsocoee Like my shive haircut? Joined: Feb 2007, #872 Location: Metairie, LA Gender: Dude Posts: 6,037 2007 PreRunner SR5 Double Cab Long B 2007 Double Cab Automatic V-6 Bed mat, URD CAI, URD MAF Calibrator, C2C Hood Struts, Wet Okole Seat Covers, Pop-n-Lok, Wet Okole Underwear	I've always heard that the soap helps to lubricate the grit and make it slide away easier. I've never washed with just water. __________________ Tacoma World: One big happily dysfunctional family.

06-05-2008, 08:13 AM	#3
humanoid 867-5309 Joined: Jun 2007, #1932 Location: Sunny SoCal Age: 40 Gender: Male Posts: 1,184 I had a '99 Xtra Cab PreRunner SR5 V6 1999 Xtra Cab Automatic 3.4L V6 5VZ-FE deckplate mod, TrueFlow air filter w/ TrueFlow MIT, ScanGauge II	Use soap, but just don't let a soaped up truck dry with it on, it'll leave streaks. Don't use regular soap either use a car washing liquid. __________________ She's sold and gone for good...

06-05-2008, 08:34 AM	#5
Janster Pre Senior Citizen Joined: Mar 2007, #1138 Location: Lancaster, PA Age: 41 Gender: Female Posts: 2,707 2007 4.0L 4x4 TRD Sport Access Cab A 2007 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L Advantage Torza top (tri-fold), Husky floor mats, RuffTuff seat covers, C2C hood struts, Homelink mirror, Ipod2car (80gig Classic/4gig nano), Garmin Nuvi 660, Protecta Bed mat, Pop-n-lock, TSB Springs, Scangauge II, Heated drivers seat, Fumoto drain valve, Aries pushbar, PIAA 540 fog lights, Hood scoop grahics, Flowmaster 50 series dual catback exhaust.	I'd definately use soap.... just don't use any old soap. Get car wash type soap or even the specialty brands like Zaino, Mothers, McGuiares etc. There's a lot of oily grime that water won't necessarily break it down and remove it. You don't wanna use dishwashing soap - as that can remove the polish/waxes. __________________ Our Homepage http://www.lieblweb.com/ My truck photo gallery http://www.lieblweb.com/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=16

06-05-2008, 08:45 AM	#6
05TacoTRD (Custom User Title) Joined: Feb 2008, #4570 Location: North Florida Age: 17 Gender: Dude Posts: 2,511 '05 Prerunner V6 TRD Off Road 2005 Access Cab Automatic 1GR-FE All Weather Mats, Sirius Radio, Bullbar/skidplate, Rear Leaf Spring TSB, Tailgate TSB, Front+Rear Mudflap Delete, Hose Clamp DIY, Secondary Air Filter Removal DIY, Dented skid plate	ONLY use car wash liquid. Don't try using dish soap, I don't know why people think thats a good idea. __________________ Alex - Myspace - My Build Thread - Taco Lift FAQ

06-05-2008, 08:30 AM	#4
Ridgerunner Western Alliance: NorCal Joined: Mar 2008, #5269 Age: 47 Posts: 1,632 2001 prerunner doublecab limited 2001 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 V6 2001 with; cat-back twin exhaust,bullbar with hella 550's, camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.	..........this truck has seen nothing but HOT WATER its entire 7 yrs. The secret is keeping it up with a high end sealant glaze. I swear by "Klasse"

06-05-2008, 08:54 AM	#7
Ridgerunner Western Alliance: NorCal Joined: Mar 2008, #5269 Age: 47 Posts: 1,632 2001 prerunner doublecab limited 2001 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 V6 2001 with; cat-back twin exhaust,bullbar with hella 550's, camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.	Well I'm outnumbered as usual but hot water has worked for me and I've used nothing BUT that for years. Ive saved THOUSANDS by not buying car soap and my 7 year old finish is like showroom with pics to prove it. So let my ONE testimonial show you the possibility. Try it a couple times after you wax your truck. You'll like it. By the way-I've heard that soap acts as a 'lube'-that's true if you have gritty dirt to get off. I have no swirls or scratches on mine and I use hot water to wash even after a rain.

06-05-2008, 03:07 PM	#8
mShu7 Resident Detailer Joined: Jun 2007, #1839 Location: Brownsburg, IN Posts: 55 2007 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 Double-cab Indigo Ink Pearl 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L None	NEVER wash your vehicle with water alone. Buy a quality car shampoo that contains lubricating and conditioning oils. Water alone isn't a lubricant so using a quality shampoo will leave you with a better finish than water alone. Just don't use dish soap. Dish soap is what will dry out the paint, trim, and everything else on the car. __________________ -Mike 2007 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4 Double Cab - Indigo Ink Pearl www.DrivenAutoDetail.com

06-05-2008, 05:46 PM	#9
Ridgerunner Western Alliance: NorCal Joined: Mar 2008, #5269 Age: 47 Posts: 1,632 2001 prerunner doublecab limited 2001 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 V6 2001 with; cat-back twin exhaust,bullbar with hella 550's, camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.	So everything I said about doing it for years and NOT having finish issues you are saying I'm full of it?? Look at the pics man-my finish is perfect and I think you could at least acknowledge that if it's working for me then it works sometimes. I dont get the disrespect here mShu7

06-05-2008, 05:55 PM	#11
Ridgerunner Western Alliance: NorCal Joined: Mar 2008, #5269 Age: 47 Posts: 1,632 2001 prerunner doublecab limited 2001 Double Cab Automatic 3.4 V6 2001 with; cat-back twin exhaust,bullbar with hella 550's, camper shell, TRD off-road 2x4-black beauty.	Hey T-dont mean to come across bad I just think it's a slap to come in right behind me and say NEVER use just water as if to say dont listen to that guy like Im lying about my results with plain water. I got this hot water technique from a guy I lived next door to and he owned Porsches! He got the concept from his Porsche dealer. They wrong too?

06-05-2008, 06:02 PM	#14
chris4x4 Western Aliance: Fix it Division Joined: May 2008, #6497 Location: Tempe ,Az Posts: 4,711 2007 PreRunner 2007 Double Cab Automatic 1GR-FE (4.0 V6) OME 885's, OME shocks, Total Chaos UCA's, TSB springs with AAL, 5100 rear shocks, custom built fuel tank skid plate	When I was in High Skrewel, I worked for a company that washed Iported exotic cars and air planes. We used only HOT water. It worked really good. People who have $200,000.00 and up cars seemed happy with how their cars turned out. My Dad would only wash his plane with hot water as well. Me? I dont feel like tying into my water heater and installing a hose bib. With my luck, I would go to water the plants and burn the Crap out of myself because I turned on the wrong faucett. __________________ The simplest solutions are often the most clever..............they are also usually wrong.

06-05-2008, 06:14 PM	#19
chris4x4