Tell us what you are washing and what the job is. The finder gives you the SoapX products to use, the formula, the dilution and the order to use them in. It follows the same rules as our vehicle guide and product labels.
Work in the shade on cool panels. Never mix products together. Always read the label first.
Quick picks by job
The short version of what the finder tells you. Every product comes in a 250ml sample, so you can try a routine before you buy full size.
| Job | What to use | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| Regular wash | No.01 Pre Rinse and Bug Remover, then No.02 Snow Foam, then No.05 Contact Shampoo. That is the 3 Step Wash Rig. | Summer |
| Winter wash | The same three steps, then No.08 Wax and Sealant on the paint and No.09 Glass and Visor Cleaner on the screens. | Winter, October to March |
| Heavy dirt | Pre rinse and snow foam with a shorter dwell, then shampoo. | Extreme for the pre rinse and foam. Summer for the shampoo. |
| Matt paint, wraps and ceramic coatings | Pre rinse, snow foam, shampoo and sealant. No polish. | Delicate throughout |
| Wheels and brake dust | No.03 Wheel and Rim Cleaner with a face brush, a barrel wand and an arch brush. | Summer for all finishes. Delicate for anodised, polished and painted rims. |
| Rough paint after washing | No.06 Fallout and Tar Remover on clean, cool panels. | Summer for iron fallout. Extreme for tar, sap and glue. |
| Strip, polish and protect | Strip wash with the shampoo, then No.07 Polish and Paint Prep, then sealant. Gloss paint only. | Extreme shampoo, then Summer polish and sealant |
| Interior and glass | No.10 Interior and Trim Cleaner, then glass cleaner. | Summer. Delicate for Alcantara and suede. |
| Motorbike | No.04 Drivetrain and Chain Degreaser on the chain, pre rinse, shampoo, sealant on painted panels and glass cleaner on the visor. | Summer or Winter. Delicate on matt paint. Never Extreme pre rinse. |
| Mountain bike or bicycle | Chain degreaser on the drivetrain, shampoo for the rest. | Summer. Delicate for carbon and anodised parts. |
How the formula letters work
Most SoapX products come in up to four formulas. The letter after the product number tells you which one you have.
- Summer (S) is the everyday choice for light road dirt, dust and bugs.
- Winter (W) is made for salt, road grime and traffic film from October to March.
- Extreme (X) is for heavy soiling, neglected vehicles and track or off road use. It is stronger, so it is diluted less.
- Delicate (D) is the gentler choice for matt paint, wraps, ceramic coatings and sensitive finishes.
Not sure which snow foam suits your car? The snow foam finder asks four questions and picks one. To see how long a bottle lasts, use the product planner. Full directions are on how to use our products.
Common questions
What do I need to wash a car properly?
Two buckets with grit guards, a wash mitt, a car shampoo and a drying towel are the minimum. Add a pre rinse and, if you have a pressure washer, a snow foam and a foam cannon, so most of the dirt rinses away before you touch the paint.
Do I need a pressure washer to wash my car safely?
No. Snow foam needs one, because a foam cannon only works on a pressure washer. With a garden hose or buckets, spray a pre rinse from a pump sprayer, rinse it off, then wash with two buckets.
What order should I wash a car in?
Wheels first, so you do not splash dirt back onto clean paint. Then pre rinse, snow foam, a contact wash from the top down with two buckets, a final rinse and drying.
Which products do I need to dilute?
Only three. The pre rinse is mixed at 1:10, the snow foam at 1:15 and the shampoo at 1:200. The Extreme formulas are mixed stronger, at 1:5, 1:10 and 1:100. Everything else is ready to use.
Can I use car wash products on a motorbike or bicycle?
The shampoo, yes. On two wheels, keep degreaser, sealant and polish off brake discs, pads and tyres, keep the pressure washer well back from bearings and the chain, and lubricate the chain after every wash.
You are welcome to link to this finder. For the reasons behind every pick, see which product for which vehicle.
