Everything you need to get the best from SoapX, from choosing a formula to caring for your towels. Always read the label on the bottle before you start, because it has the exact directions and safety advice for that product.
Formula guide: S, W, X and D
Most of our formulations come in up to four versions. The letter after the product number tells you which one you have, for example No.02W is Snow Foam in the Winter formula.
| Letter | Formula | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| S | Summer | Everyday washing in warmer, drier months with light road dirt, dust and bugs. |
| W | Winter | Salt, road grime and traffic film from October to March. |
| X | Extreme | Heavy soiling, neglected vehicles and track or off road use. Stronger, so it is diluted less. |
| D | Delicate | A gentler choice for delicate or sensitive finishes. If you are unsure what your finish needs, ask us first. |
Not every product comes in every formula. Each product page shows the ones available.
Dilution made simple
A ratio such as 1:10 means 1 part product to 10 parts water. Measure the product first, then top up with water to the total amount.
| Ratio | Product in a 1 litre mix | Product in a 20 litre bucket |
|---|---|---|
| 1:5 | about 165 ml | not used in a bucket |
| 1:10 | about 90 ml | not used in a bucket |
| 1:15 | about 65 ml | not used in a bucket |
| 1:100 | 10 ml | 200 ml |
| 1:200 | 5 ml | 100 ml |
Mixing a different amount? Our dilution ratio calculator works it out for any ratio and any container.
The 3 step wash
Our 3 Step Wash Rig uses No.01, No.02 and No.05 in the formula that suits your car and the season. Do your wheels first (see below) so you do not splash dirt back onto clean paint.
Step 1: Pre rinse with No.01
- Dilute No.01 S, W or D at 1:10, or No.01X at 1:5, in the 1.5L Pump Sprayer.
- Spray the dry car from the bottom up, focusing on the lower sills, bumpers, the front end and mirrors where bugs build up.
- Leave it to soften the dirt for a few minutes, but never let it dry on the paint.
- Rinse off thoroughly with your pressure washer or hose.
Step 2: Snow foam with No.02
- Mix No.02 S, W or D at 1:15 (about 65 ml topped up to 1 litre), or No.02X at 1:10 (about 90 ml), in the Snow Foam Cannon bottle. Warm water helps it mix.
- Attach the cannon to your pressure washer. Our hardware is rated up to 160 bar.
- Cover the whole car from the bottom up. Use the dial on top to make the foam thicker or wetter.
- Let it dwell for a few minutes so it can lift the dirt, then rinse from the top down before it dries.
Step 3: Contact wash with No.05
- Set up two buckets with grit guards, one marked WASH and one marked RINSE, as in our Two Bucket Wash Kit.
- Add No.05 S, W or D at 1:200 (100 ml in a 20 litre bucket), or No.05X at 1:100 (200 ml), to the WASH bucket. Fill the RINSE bucket with clean water.
- Load the Wash Mitt or Wash Pad, wash one panel at a time from the top down in straight lines, then rinse the mitt in the RINSE bucket before loading it again.
- Leave the dirtiest areas, such as the lower sills and rear bumper, until last.
- Rinse the car thoroughly from the top down.
Drying
- Use the 1400 GSM Twisted Loop Drying Towel. Lay it flat and gently drag or pat it across the panel. Do not rub or press hard.
Wheels and tyres
- Make sure the wheels and brakes are cool to the touch before you start.
- No.03 Wheel and Rim Cleaner is ready to use. Spray it onto the wheel face, barrel and tyre wall.
- Agitate with the Soft Bristle Wheel Face Brush on the faces and nuts, and the Caliper Safe Wheel Wand behind the spokes. Use the Long Handle Wheel Arch Brush on arch liners only.
- Do not let it dry. Rinse each wheel thoroughly before moving on to the next.
- Keep the Wheel and Dirty Jobs Cloths for wheels only, and never use them on paint.
Decontamination and polishing
No.06 Fallout and Tar Remover
- Use on clean, cool panels. It is ready to use.
- Spray on, leave for the time shown on the label, and rinse off thoroughly. Do not let it dry.
- Wear gloves and avoid spraying onto hot surfaces or in direct sun.
No.07 Polish and Paint Prep
- Apply a small amount to a Microfibre Applicator Pad and work it into one small section at a time.
- Buff off with a Laser Edgeless Buffing Cloth. Use the Delicate (D) formula on soft or sensitive paint.
Protection, glass and interior
- No.08 Wax and Sealant: ready to use. Mist lightly onto a clean panel, spread with a clean cloth, then flip to a dry side and buff.
- No.09 Glass and Visor Cleaner: ammonia free and ready to use. Spray onto the Waffle Weave Glass Cloth, wipe, then buff with a dry side.
- No.10 Interior and Trim Cleaner: ready to use with a matt finish. Spray onto a Short Pile Interior Cloth, not directly onto screens or electrics, and wipe.
Motorbikes and bicycles
- No.04 Drivetrain and Chain Degreaser is ready to use. Spray onto the chain, cassette and chainrings, agitate with a detailing brush and rinse thoroughly.
- Keep degreaser away from brake discs and pads. If it gets on them, clean them straight away with plenty of water.
- Always re lubricate the chain once it is dry.
Caring for your microfibre
- Wash microfibre separately from other laundry at up to 40°C with a mild detergent or a dedicated microfibre wash.
- Never use fabric softener or bleach, because they clog the fibres and cause streaks.
- Air dry, or tumble dry on a low heat.
- Keep paint, glass, interior and wheel cloths separate, and wash wheel cloths on their own.
- If a cloth is dropped on the ground, do not use it on paint again until it has been washed.
Looking after your hardware
- After foaming, run clean water through the Snow Foam Cannon so product does not dry in the nozzle.
- Check the O rings on quick connect fittings now and then and replace any that are worn.
- Always release the pressure on the Pump Pressure Sprayer after use and before opening it.
- Rinse buckets, grit guards and brushes after every wash and let them dry.
Common questions
What is the difference between the SoapX Summer (S) and Winter (W) formulas?
Summer is for everyday washing in the warmer, drier months, when the car picks up light road dirt, dust and bugs. Winter is made for salt, road grime and traffic film from October to March. Both are diluted at the same ratio, so you can swap between them as the season changes.
Which formula is safe for matt paint, vinyl wraps and ceramic coatings?
Delicate (D). It is the gentler choice for sensitive finishes. The Delicate snow foam is safe on matt wraps and ceramic coatings, and the Delicate sealant is matt safe and adds no gloss. If you are unsure what your finish needs, email us first.
When should I use the Extreme (X) formula?
For heavy soiling, neglected vehicles and track or off road use. Extreme is stronger, so it is diluted less: 1:5 for the pre rinse, 1:10 for the snow foam and 1:100 for the shampoo. The Extreme shampoo is a strip wash, so plan to protect the paint again afterwards.
What dilution ratio should I use in a 1 litre foam cannon?
Mix No.02 Snow Foam at 1:15 in the Summer, Winter or Delicate formula. That is about 65 ml of product, topped up to the 1 litre line with water. The Extreme formula is mixed at 1:10, which is about 90 ml.
How much car shampoo do I put in a 20 litre bucket?
No.05 Contact Shampoo is diluted at 1:200 in the Summer, Winter and Delicate formulas, which is 100 ml in a 20 litre bucket. The Extreme formula is 1:100, which is 200 ml.
Which SoapX products do I need to dilute?
Only three: the No.01 pre rinse, the No.02 snow foam and the No.05 shampoo. No.03, No.04 and No.06 to No.10 are ready to use and should not be diluted.
What does the letter after the product number mean?
It is the formula. S is Summer, W is Winter, X is Extreme and D is Delicate. No.02W, for example, is the snow foam in the Winter formula.
Still stuck? Email hello@soapx.co.uk and tell us your car, the finish and the products you have, and we will help.
