Baby Shampoo

[Setsu]

Hey guys. So I live in florida, and if you live out here you know and hate Love Bugs. They're hell when they're in season. Anyway. A local newspaper suggested baby shampoo for removing them quickly from your hood and I thought It made a really good car washing product all around. Is there anything wrong with using baby shampoo long term? I can't imagine there's anything less harsh.

[nsmitchell]

It'll make you car as smooth as a baby's bottom!

[Meteorite Man]

Make sure you use the tear-free kind. I know my Yaris is a sensitive lass and I'd hate to see her cry...


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[Razr]

Generally speaking, anything other than specifically formulated car wash soaps are designed to strip off everything - including wax - so aren't a great idea for use on cars. If you don't have any wax on your car it's not a problem though :)

[Nabisco]

Pressure wash at your own risk. Anyone seen the clear 3M film that supposedly protects the paint for headlights and dower body panels? Available for the Yaris? I think it would be a good idea.

[nsmitchell]

Originally Posted by Razr

Generally speaking, anything other than specifically formulated car wash soaps are designed to strip off everything - including wax - so aren't a great idea for use on cars. If you don't have any wax on your car it's not a problem though :)

Wait a minute... baby shampoo is some of the weakest/gentlest soap on the market. Harsh soaps strip wax, but baby shampoo should leave the wax in place for the most part. They don't want it to wash the skin oils from the baby to make their skin chapped. Also tear-free must be quite gently. I think it will work like a champ.

Now GoJo, on the other hand, would not be a good car wash ...

[Razr]

I hear you, but can you vouch for that?

I'd err on the side of caution myself ;)

[Nabisco]

I had one person swear up and down that dish soap is wonderful for the paint.
The worst soap to use on any car.

I understand the concept of the baby shampoo but
I'll stick to that stuff labeled "car wash".

[eTiMaGo]

I use oven cleaner...

[Thirty-Nine]

First off, I read this thread title as "Baby Shamoo," and I thought, "I wonder what the heck that's about." LOL

Secondly, I use a car-specific wash. It's not much ($4.00 a gallon?) and a little bit goes a long way. It's worth it, IMHO.

[nsmitchell]

Originally Posted by Nabisco

I had one person swear up and down that dish soap is wonderful for the paint.
The worst soap to use on any car.

I understand the concept of the baby shampoo but
I'll stick to that stuff labeled "car wash".

Dish soap is harsh as hell, it removes grease and oils.

Car Wash soaps are so darn cheap nowadays, I think it is actually cheaper than baby shampoo, but I still think baby shampoo would not hurt your paint at all. Too mild to hurt.

I also like to smear Boudreaux's Butt Paste 1oz. on the rear hatch so I don'ts gets the road rash!

[Thirty-Nine]

LOL!

You're absolutley right about the price of car wash soap. I think I have Blue Coral and it works great. It's like $5.99 for 64 oz.

Without sounding like a commercial, you spend thousands of dollars on your vehicle. Why cheap out on the soap? (Okay, I'm going to get off my "soap box" now. Sorry -- I couldn't resist.)

[fnkngrv]

The whole bug issue is a big one...I have heard stories of using the baby shampoo to peanut butter (non crunchy ), to pledge, to windex to remove then easily however I have been very leary to try any of them. I refuse to put a brush on my paint so I can't do that and the pressure washer idea only does a little when it comes to big bugs like bees, grasshoppers, crickets and such. I have to worry about all those since we have a lot of potato and broccoli fields around. Any real life usage info would be wonderful in all honesty. I should be able to trust my fellow Yarii owners right????

[slvryaris]

Just get one of those washing mitts with the mirofiber on one side and netting on the other. Little to no effort is needed to get bugs off. I just took pictures of my Yaris and had to clean all the bug guts off of it. Just wet the car down and use that mitt and they come right off.

[drifto]

meguires has a soft wash soap. for new cars and waxed finishes. it works nice. anyways if you keep the front clip waxed regulaly, the bugs dont stick as much they sort of just skim off lol. plus they wipe off with ease. an old trick if your taking a long trip is to take a fabric softner sheet and wipe down the front clip after washing it. bugs and road dirt wont stick. it only temporary though. a good wax is always best

[drifto]

Originally Posted by Nabisco

I had one person swear up and down that dish soap is wonderful for the paint.
The worst soap to use on any car.

I understand the concept of the baby shampoo but
I'll stick to that stuff labeled "car wash".

dawn dishwashing soap the "oxi" one that protects your hands etc. is good for cleaning your wheels/rims, but not your car. its a little too abrasive. ive used it on my rims before even powercoated or colored rims. cleaned them up nice and didnt fade or damage the surface.

[fnkngrv]

Originally Posted by slvryaris

Just get one of those washing mitts with the mirofiber on one side and netting on the other. Little to no effort is needed to get bugs off. I just took pictures of my Yaris and had to clean all the bug guts off of it. Just wet the car down and use that mitt and they come right off.

I will have to try that...I tried just a microfibre cloth and it didn't do very well however I hadn;t tried the mitt cause I was fearful of damage...but I will give it a holler...

[Ferret_san]

Originally Posted by Razr

I hear you, but can you vouch for that?

I'd err on the side of caution myself ;)

I can. It's one of the many oldskool car detailers tricks. Use a small amount and you'll be fine.

Personally, as mentioned in the earlier replys, I use one of the many quality car shampoos out there from Mothers/Meguires etc. If you don't want to do a full was, do a spot clean with a product like Meguires Quik Detailer etc.

Edit: spelling