What is a shampoo
Written by: Vinnie van Rooij
Car shampoo is a specially formulated cleaning liquid that is used in combination with a washmitt to clean a car in a safe way. It is recommended to wash a car with a proper car shampoo and the 2 (or 3) bucket method.
Contents
Difference between car shampoo and household cleaning liquids
Household cleaning liquids (like all purpose cleaning or dishwashing soap) doesn’t rinse off easily, has a negative effect on wax and similar products, can actually dry out the paint and doesn’t remove all the dirt a car comes into contact with.
Car shampoo has a very different formulation. Combined with water, it creates a slightly slippery liquid that allows for the washmitt to glide over the paint, decreasing the risk that dirt is rubbed over the paintwork. It also allows for much easier rinsing, which decreases the risk of dried up soapy substance.
Wrong terminology
The word ‘shampoo’ actually means a product that is designed for washing hair. Since a car doesn’t have any hair, the term ‘shampoo’ isn’t really correct terminology. However, the word is so common among detailers and valeters, that perhaps the meaning of the word should be adjusted.
A more correct term for this product would be ‘car washing liquid’. Some people have even tried to make the term CWL a popular term, with no luck.
To compromise, most manufacturers call it ‘car shampoo’.
Additives
Shampoo can contain certain additives to achieve a certain result. There are shampoos that contain gloss enhancers, Glaze oils or extra cleaning abilities such as fallout removers. Other shampoos can also contain rinsing agents, anti-watermarks agent or have a certain quick detailer effect. A difference between shampoos can be that one is a bit more slippery, others are thicker, some can be diluted a lot more. Most shampoos are very similar in cleaning abilities, the biggest difference is in how they feel, smell, rinse off, dilute etc.
Snowfoam
Shampoo and snowfoam are not the same products, although some shampoos can be used as snowfoam, they don’t offer the same cleaning properties. Snowfoam is designed to be sprayed on, left to soak and then rinsed off. Shampoo is made to to applied via a washmitt or sponge and then rinsed off.
Different related articles
- ODM stands for "Original Design Manufacturer". This refers to a situation in which a manufacturer is asked to create a product according to the designs made by the client, with the intend of re-branded sale....
- Washing is the act of replacing unwanted particles/substances from a surface to a carrying medium. This act is used to clean the surface that is being washed....
- It is often asked on detailing fora and social media: "what is the best rotary". Off course there is a difference between certain products and brands, but it is important to know what you are asking. In this guide I will try to explain what the problem is with this question unless it is asked more in-depth....
- Road spray is a dirty mist of contaminants in the air, thrown up by a vehicle driving over the road. Road spray is partly the cause for traffic film and can cause dirt and grime, even when the weather has been dry and there is no obvious origin for dirt on a vehicle....
- ODK is the abbreviation of Obi-Dan Karnubi. A nickname given to Dan who started homebrewing in December 2012. His home brewing eventually evolved into a detailing brand called ODK, who is known for his waxes....
- Zymöl is a manufacturer of different car care product and is located in America. The history and links with the Swissvax company has caused for some problems in the past. Zymöl products are generally aimed at varies parts of the detailing process....
[…] je meer wilt lezen en leren over autoshampoo, dan kun je dit handige artikel op DetailingWiki nog […]