Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

[bobb]

Arrrhhh! I typically go to my neighbourhood car wash just to use their water but yesterday I mistakenly hit the wrong button and soap came out and after the washing now my car has "soap streaks" all over it as if rained on by acid. Re-wash with my own soap doesn't get rid off it.

Oh detailing Gods, what's my next step? Admittedly the places where the streaks are obvious are places where there is no wax left, car wasn't been waxed for a couple of years.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

It's a real simple fix that will usually make your paint look better anyway, simply use any cleaner/wax or paint cleaner, apply to paint, work in, if it's paint cleaner wipe it off if it's a wax let it dry and then wipe it off.

Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner would be a great choice followed by your normal choice of wax.

Any of our cleaner/waxes would be a one-step approach that will remove the staining and leave your paint waxed.

Meguiar's Cleaner/Wax
ColorX

All three are easily available at any auto parts store.

[bobb]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

Thanks Mike, appreciate it!

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

You will definitely need to use a mild polish/cleaner wax to remove it. I did a Honda Pilot which had soap streaks on the flat black pillars between the front and back windows. A cleaner wax removed these streaks by hand.

[Joe's detailing]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

Soap alone, doesen't cause spotting, etching, etc. Water is usually culprit, even the car wash doesn't use filtered water, unless it's in that spot free rinse setting ...
The best advice is after washing use filtered water to rinse ...

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

If there's soap in the rinse water, believe me, if it dries, it will cause marks.

Wash your car and let soap dry on it for an hour. You'll see.

[Joe's detailing]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

Soap spots vs water spots..? I'll take the soap....Joe

[bobb]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

Phew, all done!

Took my time with the 3-steps system, wanted to do a little touch-up between the steps.

Smooooth like a baby's bottom! It's now so well protected I fully expect it to resist an nuclear blast.

This site is GREAT.

[yalerd]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

Glad so see that everything turned out OK for you!
Any pictures of the car, post so we can see your job

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Commercial Wash Soap Streaks

Phew, all done!

Took my time with the 3-steps system, wanted to do a little touch-up between the steps.

Smooooth like a baby's bottom! It's now so well protected I fully expect it to resist an nuclear blast.

This site is GREAT.

Thanks for the follow-up! We love to hear we were able to help.