Soap or Just Water?

Back in the day (I started with it in 1986) it was a chrome type flat bottle (tin) with a picture of a plane, boat, and Porsche on the label, and the petrollates in it would have you high in 10 minutes-now it's in a grey plastic bottle and just says "Klasse High gloss Sealant Glaze" no more fumes now, still the bomb though!!

 

you are making me want some klasse to try out. where do i get it....online???? i havent seen it in any store round here.

 

I saw your question and I put it in search and there's a ton of online spots with it. I'm proud of this stuff-I got my family, my inlaws, my friend, the guys I work with all using it. I get it at a speed shop here in South San Francisco. I used to get it at a Porsche/Caddilac dealer in Burlingame. I say call a Porsche, Jaguar, BMW or Caddilac dealer around you and see if they have it. If I can I'll try to see if I can find where they send their stuff to

 

Ridgerunner - My response was my opinion, just like yours was. I will say though, I detail for a living and strive for the best quality. I basically live on detailing boards when I'm online. I would never recommend, nor have I ever heard a good detailer recommend washing with water only. It just doesn't make sense. If it works for you, GREAT! You won't catch me recommending that method or even trying that method. And when you think about it, how much does car shampoo cost per wash? We are talking about less than a dollar. If the money a person spends on washing a car is going to effect their budget, then they probably should be riding a bike back and fourth to work.

I would ask for close-up pics of your paint with halogen lights shining on it, but this is the Internet so I don't really care that much.

Again, if using nothing but hot water works for you, great! More power to you. I on the other hand don't mind spending pennies on the dollar to ensure a better wash.



BTW, just b/c the guy owned a Porsche or got the info from a Porsche dealer doesn't mean it was good advice. Honestly, car dealerships (even exotic) are known for bad detailing....and I mean BAD. There's a reason they have the reputation that they do on all the detailing message boards. You wouldn't believe the hack jobs that come from dealerships, including the high-end ones.

To the OP - Klasse is great for protection. However, it can be a little finiky to work with so take that into consideration. Klasse is good stuff, for sure, but if you want other recommendations for paint protection, let me know. Plus, as with anything, manufacturers are always coming out with new/improved products. I've used Klasse many times and have a lot of respect for their AIO and sealant. That being said, I buy other products than Klasse these days.

BTW, if you spend $95+ at AutoGeek.net (best detailing product selection online, including the Klasse line), use coupon code AGO to get free shipping (best deal they offer).

 

yeah, i feel ya there. i live in a condo neighborhood........almost the same way here. alotta old folks, set in their ways. they dont like when you work on cars round here, but i do it anyway, since the wifey and i do own the condo. they dont like parties either, but we do that too!! the old people like to stare!!

 

i think im going to also. i like what i use ,as i always have, but i dont mind trying new stuff. i just aint gonna pay an arm and a leg for something like zaino...........im fine with my mothers and meguiars. klasse sounds awesome though. will definitely buy some and try it real soon.

 

we do have a few of those different dealers around here, i will call around and see what they have, as far as klasse goes. i may also try to find some duragloss products around here, as i have heard its really good, and i think i used some duragloss wash one time and it was good.

 

Look Mike-this is your thing. Have it your way-you win anyway, YOU are the detailer here. They will heed your advice not mine. I didnt go to YOUR thread and say this-I just offered that there's this method too. It works, it doesn't damage, and not only do you save money on soap, you save the extra water it takes to evacuate all the suds and soap residue. You damm right I'll keep on with my method.

 

If you live in a condo/apartment and get harrassed or don't have access to a hose, look into Optimum No Rinse Wash & Shine (AKA - ONR). It is a rinseless wash (no suds to rinse), that not only washes with out scratching, but also leaves a little protection on the paint. If you go to Autopia.org (the biggest detailing forum online), search for it and you'll get more threads than you care to read. Also, search YouTube.com for video demo's, including mine (username - mshu7). You only need 2 gallons of water and 1oz. of ONR to wash the body of your Tacoma. I rarely do traditional washes anymore b/c it's easier, faster, and actually leaves a better finish. The polymers in the product give it a "just waxed" look. If you find video's from Scottwax, he's one of the most respected detailers on Autopia and he only uses ONR for washing. He's mobile but only carries enough water to use ONR for his washes. He's got a few videos out there that show how well it works.

Before/after ONR wash pics of my wife's Mazda3: http://s229.photobucket.com/albums/ee25/DrivenAutoDetail/Mazda3/

My ONR demo video on my Tacoma:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=vR8z8boxPXw

 

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

thanks for the link......i'll have to check out autotopia sometime.

 

Anytime! It's Autopia.org, by the way!

Also check out AutoGeek.net's forum (AutoGeekOnline.net)

 

Righton Mike! Hey I still need ya too on stuff

 

I was a bodyshop detailer for 6 years. I never use soap unless I'm planning on claybaring it followed by waxing. In between I just use hot water and a microfiber mitt. *every soAp on the market strips wax. Especialy noticeable on my metallic black paint.

 

Every time you wash your vehicle, with soap or without, you are going to be removing a minuscule layer of wax. Yes, some soaps are more harsh than others, but there are some gentle soaps out there (ie - Meg's Gold Class). People don't realize that part of the job of the shampoo is to lubricate the surface to minimize the risk for scratching. When you use water only, there's not really any lubrication. This is why it's not recommended (by any quality professional detailer that I know) to wash with water only.

Soap costs like .25 cents per wash (boutique shampoo, I might add) so I don't really get why people wouldn't use it.

 

Do they have hot water in a bottle? I don't have access to hot water except at the car wash, if you want to call that hot...

 

i agree with the others about NOT using dish washing soap. i don't even know why someone would consider it. all dish washing soap is designed to cut through grease and oil. your cars paint is oil based...