Choosing a Car Shampoo For Black Cars
You probably own a black car and have gone through endless shampoos and soaps, and for some reason, that black shine deems after every wash, the scratches on there are cringe-worthy and not to mention the swirls. Products such as Chemical Guys Mr. Pink are here to put your mind at ease.
Black on cars is transformational. It gives an air of class and luxury that wouldn’t be experienced with other colored cars. That’s why you’ll find celebrities and other high profiled individuals choosing black cars.
Maintaining these cars is however, not a walk in the park and that’s why choosing the best car wash shampoo for black cars is important. A black car will show the dirt more and scratches will be hard to miss. You therefore want a shampoo that will clean excellently, leaving a brilliant shine and at the same time not leave scratches and swirls behind.
We’ll be looking at 8 of the best products in the market right now that are sure to give you maximum results to ensure you continue enjoying the experience a black car brings with it.
Note here that the products are not in any order but are all top ranking products. We well however, give our top pic from the list.
In a Hurry! Best Car Shampoo
Best Car Wash Shampoo for Black Cars
1. Chemical Guys Blacklight Hybrid Radiant Finish Car Wash Soap
Chemical Guys have outdone themselves in this Blacklight Hybrid Radiant Finish. And it is no wonder because it has been formulated specifically for black cars and dark colored vehicles. It is a great cleaner and enhancer for these colors taking the shine to new levels. This is thanks to its gloss technology agents.
It has thick, slick and rich foam that unlike other products, where the foam is non-existent by the time you’re done foaming the car, the Blacklight will last through the entire wash period. You can use it in any method be it a foam gun, foam cannon or the traditional two-bucket wash.
You will enjoy the experience this shampoo brings especially if you’re using a foam cannon because of its thick suds that will cling effectively to your car for a gentle wash free of scratches.
When it comes to cleaning, it cleans out dirt, road film and any other dirt safely and doesn’t strip your wax or sealant. It is also clearcoat safe and is pH balanced so you can rest easy knowing your car is in good hands.
Pros
- Gloss Technology Agents
- pH balanced
- Thick suds
- Deep, lustrous shine for dark/ black colored vehicles
- Removes dirt, grime, film dirt
- Cleancoat safe
- Suds to last entire wash
Cons
- Claims of streaks and residue
2. Meguair’s Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner
Meguair’s Gold Class Shampoo is our top pick because it has undoubtedly proven itself to be a worthy contender with many preferring it to top rated brands such as Chemical Guys.
It cleans your car in one easy step as it shampoos and conditions your car all in one go. It has an advanced formula that removes grime, dirt and other contaminants without damaging your paint and wax.
The ultra-rich conditioner reveals the color and clarity of your car and can even be used with pressure washers.
Pros
- Shampoo and condition in one go
- Biodegradable with safe detergents
- Ultra-rich conditioner to real clarity and color
- Cleans even those hard-to-clean vehicles
- Easy to use
- No streaks or swirls
Cons
- None
3. Chemical Guys Mr. Pink Super Suds Shampoo
Chemical Guys’ Mr. Pink is another great choice when it comes to gently and efficiently removing grime, dirt as well as debris due to its clinging thick foam. You don’t have to worry about the sealant and wax on your car getting damaged as Mr. Pink is quite gentle.
The shampoo is pH balanced so you can have frequent baths for your car without damaging parts like rubber, plastics, glass, metals, paint, vinyl as well as the clear coat.
The slick lubricants are responsible for guiding the dirt off your car gently to prevent any scratches and swirls from that shiny paint finish. The rinsing is beautiful leaving behind a clean elegant look regardless of washing the car under direct sunlight.
You can use it in the traditional bucket wash or to get that touchless experience, you can use it in a foam gun or a foam cannon as the results will be seen in whichever method you choose to go with.
Pros
- Advanced foam technology
- pH balanced
- Clean rinsing
- Superior surface cleanser
- Removes grime, dirt, debris
- Versatile- bucket wash, foam gun or foam cannon
Cons
- ÂNot so great under sunlight, reports of streaks after
4. Chemical Guys Honeydew Snow Foam Auto Wash
This Snow Foam Auto Wash has surfactants that will cut through grime as well as dirt, lifting them off gently from the paintwork because of the many scrubbing bubbles and lubrication ensuring you have a scratch-free wash.
It is a pH-neutral product that is great and gentle on the wax and better yet you can enjoy your Sundays washing under direct sunlight. It is surface safe which basically means you can count on it to wash every part of your car from your wheels to the paint work.
As is the case with most Chemical Guys car shampoos, the rinse is clean leaving behind a clean surface with no residue.
Due to its high-tech detailing shampoo, it produces thick foam perfect for foam guns and foam cannons giving you a fun touchless wash. The results are sure to get the attention of many.
Pros
- Superior surface cleanser
- Versatile for two bucket wash, foam gun and foam cannon
- Clean rinsing for clean surface
- Advanced foam technology
- Safe on wax and sealant
Cons
- Some claims of inefficiency in cleaning
5. Mothers California Gold Car Wash
Mothers California Gold Car Wash is great at efficiently cleaning your car while at the same time protecting the wax. It has been created with a delicate balance of powerful cleaning as well as exacting care.
It also contains carnauba wax which is great for your car since you get a free layer of wax just from washing your car because this wax binds with the paint. While it may not be the best when it comes to foaming, it is strong enough to ensure bugs, bird droppings, dirt, grime, airborne pollutants and other contaminants, are history.
It is a perfect bucket wash product that is pH balanced so you can wash your car often without making the paint dull or damaging the wax.
Pros
- Water spot resistance
- pH balanced
- Biodegradable
- Great shine without wax damage
- Balance of powerful cleaning and exacting care
- Regular use beneficial to your car
Cons
- Hard to find any
6. Chemical Guys Citrus Wash & Gloss
Yet again, Chemical Guys brace our list with their product Citrus wash and Gloss which combines its cleaning power with some synthetic shine agents. These are designed for protection because your wax and sealant are very delicate.
It is biodegradable but it is not pH balanced so you want to make sure you’re not frequently cleaning your car. If you have to clean your car on a weekly, then use only a small amount.
It contains a gloss enhancer that will leave your car with that shine you really want to have on your car after a wash. The Citrus Wash and Gloss produces thick suds meaning that it is good to use on a foam cannon, foam gun or the old school bucket wash.
Pros
- Brilliant shine
- Slick lubricants for gentle cleaning
- Surface safe to clean paint, metal, wheels, etc.
- Shampoo and gloss enhancer
- Protects wax and sealant
Cons
- Not pH balanced
- No additional wax or sealant
7. No Rinse Wash & Shine
This is a great option that will save you water as it requires no rinsing after you’re done and will leave your car with that showroom glow. It uses a high specialized formula that will easily bond with the paint on your car to remove the dirt as well as debris from your car’s surface.
You will only need a gallon or two of water for an efficient clean car and thanks to its optimum formula, no soap residue is left behind. It is a fast and easy way to get your car clean. During cleaning, you are required to use a microfiber cloth with the Optimum No Rinse.
The one thing that sets this product apart from the rest is that you can quite literally wash your car anywhere at any given time, and the results will be incredible.
Pros
- Good for cold months
- Brilliant shine on minimal water
- Surface safe on cars trucks, RVs, ORVs, airplanes etc.
- Blend of high lubricating polymers
- Car washing can be done anywhere at anytime
- Professional car detailers choice for fast, cleaning results.
Cons
- Not good with very dirty cars
8. Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wash and Wax
As the name suggests, this product will both wash and wax your car. It comes with high quality ingredients aimed at protecting the paint on your car and is gentle on the most sensitive vehicles. Added to its pH balanced nature, ensure that the sealant and wax are protected and you could therefore wash your vehicle on a weekly.
It is created with synthetic polymer sealants that aid in bonding with the paint to give a brilliant shine that will not go unnoticed. The product contains lubrication that lifts off the dirt gently enduring a scratch-free wash.
Pros
- pH balanced
- sealant and wax protection
- High quality ingredients
- Synthetic polymer sealant
- Encapsulating technology helps in swirls reduction
Cons
- Not enough suds
Buyer’s Guide
Before buying any car wash product, you need to look at a few factors before committing to a purchase. Your car paint and wax are sensitive and some products can be damaging, causing you more in trying to repair the damages. Here are a few things you’ll need to look out for:
Types of Soaps
First things first, we need to identify the types of soaps being offered in the market right now as being favorable options for your car.
Conventional Car Wash Soap
This is the most basic soap that doesn’t include any extra additives that come with car washing soaps. It just foams up allowing you to clean your car and for some varieties they can add a touch of color or scent to give it some life.
Car Wash Soap & Conditioner
As the name would suggest, this type of soap comes as a 2-in-1 soap where you get to wash with your usual soap but as you wash, the soap contains in it conditioner. Just as you would wash your hair and then condition it after to boost health, is the same way the car’s paint gets conditioned to give that extra shine.
Car Wash Soap & Wax
If you’re a car owner, then you know that you need to keep your car waxed throughout and when you notice your car dulling, you’re always looking to wax it for that radiant polished look.
With this type of soap, it saves you the time it would take you to wax your car as all you have to do is wash your car. During the wash, the car gets the waxing required after rinsing your car and drying it, you’re good to go with a beautiful layer of wax.
No-Rinse Car Wash Soap
This a great type of soap that is especially beneficial if you live in an area with minimal water or in an area where there are water rations. As is in the Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine we discussed earlier, you can give your car a good wash anywhere and at any time. This is because you use very little water combined with the soap on your car’s surface and finish off the process by drying it off. It saves you resources and time.
Concentration
When shopping for a good shampoo, looking at the level of concentration is key. The more concentrated the product, the longer it will last you and vice-versa.
If you take for example, Chemical Guy’s Mr. Pink, and have a gallon of concentrated shampoo and another gallon of the same product but this time a diluted version, these two will have different lifespans. The concentrated version will serve you longer; a year maybe, while the latter will only give you a few washes.
To know whether the product is highly concentrated or not, look at the dilution instructions. If you require more water to dilute the product, then you’re dealing with a concentrated product and this is exactly what you want.
Average dilution is one ounce of shampoo to a gallon of water. The more water per ounce, the better.
Eco-Friendly
The environment is an important part of our lives. Caring for it should be equally if not more important. It’s not just plastics polluting our world but in everything that is manufactured, it has the potential to increase or decrease the level of global warming.
It’s no different in car wash products since some of them are made with zero thought of the environment and are therefore harmful to mother earth. This is not the case with all products as you will easily find 100% biodegradable car soaps. Go for the environment-friendly options.
pH level
This is an important factor you want to look out for. pH level in your car shampoo is the level of acidity or alkalinity that’s in there.
For a great product, you need a shampoo that is neither too acidic nor too alkaline as having either will lead to damage of your car. You want a balance where the solution is neither too acidic nor is it too alkaline, but that is slightly more alkaline. A slightly more alkaline solution will break up the dirt a lot easier.
Foaming Capabilities
Throughout the article we’ve been highlighting whether the products have thick foam or not. This is because foaming is an essential part in car soaps. The thicker the foam, the better and easier it will be for the dirt to be easily lifted off your car. If foaming is not great, then the possibility of your car getting clean is pretty low.
Streaking and Spotting
This is undoubtedly a nightmare for those looking to wash their cars; spending time to clean a car only to have it covered in water streaks and spots is not the result anyone wants. Look for products that will quickly dry off leaving behind no residue.
Since products will be great at advertising that the products will leave behind no residue, look at online reviews of people who have tested the product you are interested in buying to get a sense of what you’ll be buying.
Scent
While this isn’t an important aspect of shampoo selection, it is worth noting that different products will come in different scents such as pineapple, lemon, melon, etc. This is not the case with all products since you will find some with no scent at all while some can kill a fly due to their pungent smells.
Look for what is favorable to you and go with that.
Applying Car Wash Soap for Black Cars
There are a few methods in which you can use to clean your black car without damaging the paint. We will be looking at how you shampoo your car using different methods.
Bucket Method
This method is the oldest method there is to clean a car and is still used because its results are still that good. When using this method, you’ll need a wash mitt and of course, a bucket.
Mix your car shampoo in a bucket with water and for the mixing part, do it with your mitt to form the suds. Proceed to soap your car with the wash mitt ensuring that every section of your car is soaped.
Foam Cannon Method
This is another growing method of washing cars that is enjoyable and at the same time it saves you time. In this method, mix your soap and water in the bottle but don’t shake. Rather, swirl the bottle in a gentle circular motion just to ensure the solution mixes well. You want to avoid the bottle foaming up so again, avoid violently shaking.
Once done, attach the foam cannon to a pressure washer and then you can spray your car. Foam cannons are a safer way to wash cars because there is no contact with the car’s surface hence reducing the chances of scratches getting on your paint. They also use very little water to wash.
Touchless Method
For the full experience of a totally touchless wash, you will need a foam cannon, pressure washer and a leaf blower.
We’ve seen how you will apply soap using a foam cannon. After you’ve soaped the car, pick your pressure washer in removing dirt and debris from the car’s paint and then dry it off with a leaf blower. It is that easy and there’s no contact with the paint or car’s surface.
If you have a new car, then you can comfortably use this method but if your car is a bit older, then it is not ideal. Why? Most modern cars are layered with a protective layer meaning that you are not necessarily cleaning the paint directly but you’re cleaning the protective layer.
If you just got a new car and can’t help it but want to bucket wash your car to keep an eye on any changes such as scratches and swirls, it is advised that you avoid constant washes with wash mitts. The reason for this is that the more you make contact with the protective layer, the weaker it gets.
FAQs
Is It Hard to Keep a Black Car Clean?
Yes. Keeping a black car clean is a full time job. They may look sophisticated but they are great at showing dirt, scratches as well as water streaks and swirls, making them stand out.
Before you purchase a black make sure you are ready to deal with the care that comes with it. If you already own one, then look out for car care products you can use to bring out the best of your car.
Will These Products Strip Off the Wax?
The products we have discussed here are aimed at protecting the wax and sealant on your car. Some products will add another layer of wax saving you time you would have otherwise spent waxing your car. Others however, might not add this layer but they will protect the existing layer of wax on your car.
Do You Have to Use Products Specifically Made for Black Cars?
Yes, and no. If you can get a shampoo that is specifically made for black cars as well as dark colored cars, then go for that because it is made with black car related issues in mind.
However, some products will work just as well on your black car as they will on other colored cars. It’s all in the formulations as most products we have on our list are not black car specific products, yet perform great.
Conclusion
While black cars might be the toughest to deal with, the best car wash shampoo for black cars will be one with no residue left behind, minimum scratches and gentle while they lift the dirt off. Look for products with great lubricity, pH balanced formulas and all the things we have discussed in this article.
