PH of car soaps on the market

[MyFirstES300]

I've been using CarPro Snowsoap, but I'm interested to know the PH level of the some of the other car soaps you all use out there. Did some research, couldn't seem to find any info here.

If there's a soap you use, and you happen to know the PH, please post here. I'm primarily looking for a soap that is strong, yet safe. Not worried about stripping off wax/sealants. Thanks to all who reply. -Ed

[BillE]

Probably the way to go is to see if you can find the MSDS sheets for the various 'soaps' you're looking at.

Bill

[Mike Phillips]

Also, I think from a practical point of view, the pH level is only important after you dilute and mix it with water according to the manufacturer's directions, not testing it as it is in the bottle.


Just a guess...

[Dogfather]

Polished Bliss, (can I say that) lists the PH of the shampoos they sell in the specs section.

[Bunky]

Polished Bliss, (can I say that) lists the PH of the shampoos they sell in the specs section.

Interesting....

[swanicyouth]

If you read the copy of most soaps, a lot will comment "safe for wax... pH neutral" without actually stating the pH (~7).

However, just because a soap is pH neutral, doesn't mean it can't strip wax (if that is what you are worrying about). Most (all?) high quality soaps are safe for wax. You would be hard pressed to find a maintenance soap that did strip wax, and none will strip sealants.

1Z Exclusiv Gloss:



Sonax Gloss:



Poor Boys SSS:



Dodo BoB:



GlossWorkz:



Mothers CW&W:



AutoGlym Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner:



DP Xtreme Foam:



Sonus Gloss:



That's the only soaps I have that specifically mention the term "pH" on the label.

And if you were wondering -

Auto Finesse Iron Out:

[forrest@mothers]

The pH will change from concentrated to diluted form, based on the pH of the water.

You'll want to take this into consideration when forming your opinion of products during testing.

[Dogfather]

Polished Bliss, (can I say that) lists the PH of the shampoos they sell in the specs section.

FWIW PB lists a few outside the neutral majority.

On the acidic side:
Megs Ultimate Wash and Wax- 6
Two from Nanolex- 5
Two from Swisswax- 5

On the alkaline side:
Megs Shampoo Plus- 8

[Bunky]

Auto Finesse Avalanche has a pH of 13 per the site mentioned earlier yet states it will not strip....who knows.

[FUNX650]

You can always use Litmus-paper to test the ph-values of car wash concentrates before and after dilution.
Comparing those results with the manufacturers' stated ph-values is an interesting exercise.

ph is just one factor that goes into formulating car wash shampoos.
There are blends of active ingredients, surfactants, conditioners, thickeners, etc...and as mentioned earlier:
The ph of the water (the universal solvent) used in the solution plays a role in overall car wash shampoo solution's ph-value.

Being ph balanced/neutral is just one way to look at acids and bases in a solution "cancelling each other out", so to say.
A "salt" is usually the end result.

Since much of the soilage collected upon a vehicle is acidic by nature:
Car wash shampoos that are slightly alkaline (7.1-8.5) would also be an excellent choice...IMO.

There are car wash shampoos that are acidic also.
I say:
'Save those for the engine bay;
and other such oils and greases,
that sometimes get in the way'.

NOTES:
1.) Car wash shampoos that are too ph-acidic/alkaline can wreck havoc on bare aluminum.
In no time flat!!

2.) AGO forum member PiPUK is a preeminent Chemist.
Perhaps he'll post some information regarding this ph subject matter.




Bob