Understanding pH
pH is a measure of acidity in aqueous solutions, including car shampoo. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where lower numbers indicate higher acidity, while higher numbers indicate increased alkalinity. In the context of shampoo, a pH of 7 to 7.9 is considered neutral, neither acidic nor alkaline. It's important to note that "balanced" and "neutral" are not the same when referring to pH. Alkaline shampoo and often wheel cleaners are also called pH "balanced".
pH neutral car shampoo, unlike those with stronger chemicals in them, will not damage your car's paint or the Ceramic Coating protecting your car's paint. The same applies if you use any different kind of paint protection like automotive wax, polymer sealants, or paint protection film.
Why pH-neutral car shampoos instead of regular more acidic, or more alkaline car shampoos?
If you are using paint protection of any sort, Ceramic Coating included, stronger pH value car shampoos will neutralize it to the point it is completely removed from the paintwork of your car. Leading to unprotected paintwork.
So if you have a Ceramic Coating on your car and expect it to last the full duration. By using pH-neutral car shampoos, you are ensuring the Ceramic Coating isn't being damaged and will last as long as the manufacturer advises.
Many modern ceramic coatings will resist pH levels from pH 1 to pH 13. However, Resisting something doesn't mean that you will be unaffected. It just means you will be affected less.
Why choose an Acidic shampoo?
Acid-based car shampoos are designed for maximum cleaning efficiency against tough dirt, hard water and other stubborn grime. Acidic soaps break down the built-up contamination that reduces gloss and clogs the surface of neglected paint and coatings.
Why choose an Alkaline shampoo?
An Alkaline shampoos main purpose is to remove as much dirt as possible. Like pH neutral shampoos are generally made to glide especially well over the paint. The Alkaline shampoo does not necessarily look at paint protection, but mainly at the dirt. Alkaline shampoos want to get all the dirt off the car as well as possible, preferably with as little contact as possible. Alkaline cleaners are often much better at removing dirt than the pH neutral shampoos.
Best Acidic Shampoos
Gyeon Restart Wash (Slightly Acidic pH 6)
Q²M RESTART WASH is a concentrated and slick shampoo designed to cleanse coated surfaces from contamination effortlessly. Q²M Restart Wash is an all in one product - it will clean, decontaminate and restore initial properties of coated surfaces. It has the ability to remove ferrous deposits thanks to an iron remover infusion. It might be used as foam or a traditional shampoo - make it a versatile maintenance solution for your coated vehicle.
Infinity Wax Synergy Refresh (Mildly Acidic pH 4.5 - 5)
Synergy Refresh is a mild yet incredibly powerful shampoo that is designed to "unclog" and restore hydrophobic surfaces, such as ceramic coated paintwork, or protected paintwork such as waxes and sealants. The formula is rich in lubricating surfactants that are on the lower end of the PH scale. This creates a shampoo that is not only safe to use on delicate paintwork with incredible anti-marring properties, but one which performs strongly even in hard water areas, where some shampoos struggle to produce the desired levels of suds and lubricity. Its ability to remove water marks and mineral deposits with ease makes it an essential for any detailers kit bag. In addition Refresh can be applied via a snow foam lance to create a creamy blanket of foam that aids your contact wash or as a gentle pre-wash with water spot removing abilities.
Carpro Descale (Slightly Acidic pH 6)
CARPRO Descale Acidic Soap is designed for maximum efficiency against tough dirt, hard water and all manner of nastiness. It breaks down the built-up contamination that reduces gloss and clogs the surface of neglected paint and coatings. Like many other CARPRO products it can be used in full circle to remove waxes and sealants, prepare paint for polishing, degrease afterwards, as well as to remove traffic film and minerals on coated and non-coated vehicles during regular maintenance washes.
If your car has a carnauba wax or polymer sealant and you do not want to re-wax or re-seal the vehicle. As a regular weekly wash. For regular washes use CARPRO Reset instead! (See More on Reset Below)
Best Alkaline Shampoos
Carpro Reset (Neutral pH 7)
Although neutral on the pH scale, Carpro reset has the same cleaning power as an Alkaline shampoo. Developed for use with all CarPro Nanotechnology Sealants and Coatings, Carpro reset has No gloss enhancers, No polymers, No wax inside. Intelligent pH Surfactants provide a strong cleaning and foaming action, whilst remaining mild and pH-Neutral n use. A 1:500 Dilution ratio allows for very economical cleaning.
