Car Soaps & Cleaners

Q: What is the best car wash soap for ceramic coated vehicles?

A: For ceramic coated vehicles, use a pH-neutral car wash soap without wax additives or gloss enhancers. These additives can leave residue that interferes with the coating's hydrophobic properties. We recommend products specifically labeled "coating safe" or "ceramic maintenance" such as Chemical Guys CWS or Griot's Garage Brilliant Finish. These formulas effectively remove dirt while allowing the ceramic coating to perform at its best. Visit our Tampa showroom for personalized recommendations based on your specific coating brand.

Q: What is the difference between foam cannon soap and regular car wash soap?

A: Foam cannon soaps are formulated with higher concentrations of surfactants to produce thick, clingy foam when dispensed through a foam cannon attachment on a pressure washer. This dense foam clings to vertical surfaces longer, allowing the soap to dwell and loosen dirt before contact washing. Regular car wash soaps work great in buckets but may produce thin, runny foam in a foam cannon. Sundial carries foam cannon specific soaps from brands like Chemical Guys, Adam's, and P&S designed to maximize foam thickness and cleaning power.

Q: Can I use dish soap to wash my car?

A: We strongly advise against using dish soap on your car. While dish soap effectively cuts grease, it also strips wax, sealants, and ceramic coatings from your paint. Dish soap's alkaline pH can dry out rubber trim, weather stripping, and plastic components over time. Professional car wash soaps are pH-balanced (typically pH 6 to 8) specifically for automotive surfaces, providing effective cleaning while preserving your vehicle's protection. The small investment in proper car wash soap protects the larger investment in your paint protection products.

Q: What is a rinseless car wash and when should I use one?

A: A rinseless car wash is a highly concentrated formula that encapsulates dirt particles, allowing you to wash your car with minimal water and no final rinse. Products like Optimum No Rinse (ONR) and McKee's N-914 are popular choices. Rinseless washes are ideal for apartment dwellers without hose access, water-restricted areas, or washing vehicles indoors at car shows. They're also gentler on paint protection since you're using less agitation. Sundial stocks multiple rinseless wash options and can demonstrate the proper technique for scratch-free results.

Q: How do I remove bug splatter and tar from my car's paint?

A: Regular car wash soap often cannot remove dried bug splatter and road tar effectively. These contaminants require specialty cleaners formulated to dissolve their protein-based (bugs) or petroleum-based (tar) compounds. Bug and tar removers like Stoner Tarminator, Chemical Guys Bug and Tar Remover, or Meguiar's Bug and Tar Remover are designed to break down these stubborn deposits without harming paint, clear coat, or protection products. Spray on, let dwell for 30 to 60 seconds, then wipe clean before your regular wash. Keep a bottle in your garage for quick removal before contaminants etch into your clear coat.

Q: Does Sundial offer wholesale pricing on car wash products?

A: Yes, Sundial Limited offers wholesale pricing for professional detailers, car dealerships, car washes, and businesses purchasing in volume. We supply many Tampa Bay dealerships and detail shops with their ongoing car wash product needs. Contact us at (813) 960-4336 or visit our showroom at 8901 N Nebraska Ave to discuss wholesale accounts, bulk pricing, and scheduled deliveries. We can also special order products not currently in stock from our extensive distributor network.