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Bunky
06-12-2011, 06:28 AM
Review: Prima Mystique Auto Wash[/B]

Introduction
I received this free sample from Autopia Car Care (owned by PBMA)

Product Description
Mystique Auto Wash is a concentrated wash solution that lubricates the surface as safely lifts dirt and sheets it away. Unique polymers brighten the paint while leaving it feeling slick and conditioned. With regular use, you will notice your wax lasting longer and looking better. As you rinse Mystique from the surface of your vehicle, keep an eye on the glass and you will see tight beads as the water flows across it

Product Details:
Packaging: High quality PETE bottle with flip top dispenser, slick looking labeling (all Prima line)
Directions from package: Mix 1-2 ounces with 5 gallons of water.
Size: 16 oz. (also available in 1 gallon)
Current Price: $9.99 (product used was sample provided free of charge)
Manufacturer: Prima Car Care, Denver, Colorado
Country of Origin: USA
Interesting warning on label: First aid: Eye or SKIN (capitalization added). Flush with water for 15 minutes and call a physician if irritation persists.

Additional products used:
Wash buckets (x2), grit guards,
Wash mitt: Race Glaze wool mitt
Drying: Metro Master Blaster, 18A while running
Vehicles Used: 1997 Dodge Dakota, 2009 Lincoln MKZ

Product notes:
Scent: light perfume (?) soap smell
Consistency: medium (not watery or gelish)
Color: Purple tint

Method of Preparation, Application, and noted Observations:

For both washes, I ended up using 1/2 oz per gallon which is on the high end of the recommendation. On the Dakota, I washed the wheel area first with a dedicated wash bucket and on the MKZ I washed the wheels last last with the residue soap. I used the two bucket method with the grit guard only in the rinse bucket.

Mixing the soap
When mixed, the between the finger slickness is on the low end compared to many soaps. It is not quite like 1z Perls whch is more like ONR. It is my understanding the choice of surfectants used that determines this slickness attribute. It may also explain the suds characteristics noted below.

I added the soap to the wash bucket and then added the water so this would generate the maximum amount of suds. It generated very light suds that fill up the bucket

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5147/5747840036_ac549d6683_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747840036/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/5747840194_c993e0bb1c_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747840194/)

Wash process
In my process, I usually do the upper surfaces first, then each side, rear and front. I do the wheels depending on the mood. With the Dakota, I washed them first with a dedicated bucket and on the MKZ I washed them last. I rinse each section and then slow rinse prior to drying so soap and water sit on the paint for longer than some do so rinsing ease is a plus. I do have a whole house water softener system.

As used on the paint with the mitt, it did not feel as slick as some soaps but I think sudsy soaps make thick wool mitts glide easier over the paint (my theory). From a practical sense, I did not really think there is any difference in terms of safety. It may be this soap should be used with a mf mitt which I also prefer with ONR rather than a lambs wool.

Suds during wash 1
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5105/5747840448_a49c388f11_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747840448/)

Suds during wash 2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2714/5747841714_c47f7a3060_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747841714/)

End of wash wash bucket after doing wheels
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3064/5747840664_8a9aa46351_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747840664/)

End of wash rinse bucket
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5747840996_017c93522f_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747840996/)

Drying
I used a Master Blaster to dry both vehicles although I had to come back on the Dakota since the sun came out during the middle of the wash and it spotted so I had to wipe it down with PB's Spray and Wash so I discounted that drying experience.

The other UDM (Ultimate Drying Machine)
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5144/5747305211_e7597a6236_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747305211/)

Water sheeted, ,moved inside the garage, and ready to dry
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5269/5747841194_b5c6361df5_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747841194/)

There is a claim that "as you rinse Mystique from the surface of your vehicle, keep an eye on the glass and you will see tight beads as the water flows across it". If I judge it by the sheeted look, I never saw "tight" beads but it rinsed well. I was applying a new LSP after this wash since the LSP was not in great shape.

Dried (after jambs wiped down)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/5747841544_cf9d3afe35_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747841544/)

Observation Summary
Suds: At 1/2 oz per gallon, generates very light suds that will fill the buclet. Did not use a 0.2 oz per gallon (minimum recommended dilution)
Suds regeneration: OK.
Suds at end of wash: light suds at end of wash after washing wheels
Rinseability: Very Nice
Rinseability when left on paint: Nice
Cleaning ability: OK
Between the finger lubricity: Lower end of range
General lubricity: OK
Sheeting: Very good
Ease of drying with master blaster: Very Good
Post Wash Gloss/slickness: No obvious gloss difference but given the ease of drying I consider it did leave the surface slicker
Foam Gun: Not used

Summary
Mystique is a little bit different than other soaps given it's very light sudsing characteristics. It rinsed nicely with minimal soapy residue and also dried nicely with the master blaster. The open note is cleaning ability. I did not really get a chance to try it on something really dirty to see how it performed. Price wise it could be considered fairly economical if you used the 1 oz to 5 gallon dilution. BTW, I did not notice any irritation (did not use nitrile gloves). I will probably try again later with a mf mitt and use something closer to 1 ounce per 5 gallons.

I am still trying to catch up with Corey and Bill on the technology front.

BobbyG
06-12-2011, 06:45 AM
Nice review and an easy read Al!

I'm wondering how a adding little more product to the water would impact the overall performance of the solution? I for one feel 1 ounce per 4 to 5 gallons of water doesn't seem sufficient enough.

That said, I've also added too much product creating a sudsy mess only to further dilute to washing solution making it easier to use...

While sudsing isn't directly related to lubricity, suds to aid in the solutions ability to "float" away surface debris.

I too am curious as to its cleaning ability and how it dissolves surface contaminates.

Thanks Al!! :props:

Bunky
06-12-2011, 07:21 AM
Nice review and an easy read Al!

I'm wondering how a adding little more product to the water would impact the overall performance of the solution? I for one feel 1 ounce per 4 to 5 gallons of water doesn't seem sufficient enough.

That said, I've also added too much product creating a sudsy mess only to further dilute to washing solution making it easier to use...

While sudsing isn't directly related to lubricity, suds to aid in the solutions ability to "float" away surface debris.

I too am curious as to its cleaning ability and how it dissolves surface contaminates.

Thanks Al!! :props:

Thanks. As said in the favorite soap thread, I think suds with a wool mitt gives the impression of better lubricity (my working theory).

I do want to try Mystique again at less concentrated dilutions. Like using 1z Perls, you need to just get used to minimal suds.

dad07
06-12-2011, 07:36 AM
Great Review Al ! It takes time,energy and thought to put together a very imformative review.

A review like this makes life for me so much easier when looking to try a new product.

Thanks Al

Dubbin1
06-12-2011, 10:22 AM
Thanks for the review Al!!!

You may want to see if someone at AG can move this to the review forum ;)

Dubbin1
06-12-2011, 10:26 AM
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5021/5747840996_017c93522f_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37800563@N07/5747840996/)



LOL I wear those same shoes when I wash

CEE DOG
06-12-2011, 10:32 AM
Thanks for the excellent review Al :dblthumb2:

Very strange about the Caution with your Skin :nomore:

Would be interesting to get the explanation of that.

ScottB
06-12-2011, 10:36 AM
very nice review .... one question, is the Grit Gard hiding below the foam or do you choose not to use one ???

WRAPT C5Z06
06-12-2011, 10:38 AM
Very, very good review Al!! :props:

Fast Eddie
06-12-2011, 10:41 AM
Thanks for the review, Prima products have really peaked my interest lately and now that AG carries them, looks like I'm gonna have to get me some!

Pats300zx
06-12-2011, 03:04 PM
Great review Al. This was one wash soap that I really didn't like. I am a suds guy. The Mystique seemed slick but really lacked on suds. I found myself using a lot of product in my wash. The rest of the Prima line is stellar.

Just used some DP Auto Bathe today. Love that smell !!!

rwright
06-12-2011, 03:12 PM
Thanks for the review. How would you compare this to CG GlossWorkz Al? The reason I ask is because they have the same dilution ratio and what appears to be low suds. I know GlossWorkz is not advertised as a soap but as a paint cleanser - which is what soap does...

Bunky
06-13-2011, 08:00 PM
very nice review .... one question, is the Grit Gard hiding below the foam or do you choose not to use one ???

I do not always use a grit guard in the wash bucket (did not this time but always use it in rinse bucket) but had I used it you still would not have seen it since I would have removed it when I do wheels last.:D