For what purpose? There are strong shampoos designed to remove existing wax coats and pre-washes for removing traffic film which can be quite harsh, but an acidic wash doesn’t really exist as it kind of defeats the purpose of washing. Most shampoos are ph neutral specifically to avoid the effects of acid/alkaline on lsp’s and paint finishes, not to mention the effects on rubber and trims.

 

Just for decon washes

 

I think you are looking for the wrong thing. Is there a specific kind of thing you want to decontaminate, normal suspects are fallout, which is usually iron particles from rail dust and airborne pollution (look for a fallout remover) and road tar or tree sap which needs a fairly hefty solvent so should be used sparingly.

 

Garage Therapy’s Zero DMS and Zero Decon Shampoo have you covered on the decon front.

 

Another vote for GT decon. Under a Tenner in the sale.

Garage Therapy /ZERO: Decon Shampoo

/ZERO: Decontamination Shampoo is a premium deep cleansing car shampoo that is super concentrated with advanced detergents, emulsifiers and lubrication system for optimal cleaning performance. Utilising premium grade surfactants and high foaming action to intensively tackle traffic film, grease...

www.cleanandshiny.co.uk

 

When it comes to just mentioning the word Acid frightens people, when it's only ignorance of much that is not factual.

A classic Misnomer.
The whole topic it taken way out of context by too many.

However it does need more scrutiny and careful reading up on which could allay many incorrect assumptions.
This has been posted many times and a classic for being dismissed out of hand with one word "Acid".

Acidic products have their use and can be used without so much fear as the range of Ph is the factor that needs to be known/tested.
What type of Acid needs to be known, there are so many different useful types.

HCL or Sulfuric arguable the most dangerous, but used with the right dilution can be very useful and affective without danger in many situations.

Enough! Don't be alarmed out of all proportion, with the word Acid, learn a little more on them and their good uses before totally dismissing them out of hand with a default reaction. Acids have so many uses when used the with a little simple knowledge.

Personally HCL is a personal must have, although not so easy to locate due to people deciding to use as a weapon in recent years making it quite restricted. Not the acids fault.
Dilution is key for the task. How, where and when to use is a must.

Misnomer covers it well!

 

I assume you want to remove mineral deposits and the like. I just bought some Infinity Wax Synergy Refresh shampoo which is mildly acidic and designed to refresh ceramic coatings. CarPro Reset is similar but I believe is pH neutral. I haven’t tried the IW Refresh shampoo yet.

Not sure but I think Labocosmetica do an acidic wash too, though it may be just a prewash? Calling @Clean and Shiny

 

Labocosmetica Purifica.Use this to bring back the ceramic coat beading.

 

I agree its a good one for unclogging not even ceramics, Does a good job on my mums car with SiRamik Lustrous on. If you want to wash with regular shampoo and have a dedicated mineral deposit remover I can recommend DIY Waterspot Remover, had good success with it on the SiRamik. Had some flatter spot on the Arona after washing and it was right under the fuel flap so she's probably spilt petrol down the paint, DIY WSR and beading is back good as ever

 

@Mcpx there are quite a few acidic shampoos these days, they are not for normal use, they are for periodically unclogging a ceramic coating

I use the Koch one personally but I've only ever used that one so can't comment on others

 

In terms of true acidic shampoos the only one I've used is CarPro Descale. As @BRUN says above, it's used for unclogging coatings/sealants that are bunged up with mineral deposits and, if improved water behaviour is what you're looking for, it does a good job. Especially, I find, on the rear of my car where water tends to settle and dry. It is expensive though and requires a relatively high dilution when compared to many other regular shampoos. I tend to use it a few times a year after my regular pre-wash (BH Touchless) and contact wash (CP Reset at the moment). That way I'm dealing with a car that is essentially clean already so can use a smaller bucket and less product without risking damage to the paintwork. I wouldn't use it as a regular shampoo though, I don't see the benefit for the added expense.

 

labocosmetica purifica is very good

 

Jumping in on this, if I may. Anyone use an acidic shampoo in a foam lance, as most seem to compatible with this method? Any preference. The KC appears to be the best value at this method?

 

I've used Labocosmetica Purifica through the foam lance, the dilution would take a considerable amount in a bucket although I believe they updated it a while back so its not quite so much needed. I either use it to foam the shampoo on the car and have a bucket of rinseless to capture any dirt as you come back to the rinse out between panels, or wash as regular, rinse and have spare bucket with a small amount of Purifica in to wash the car with, its already clean at this point so don't need much.

 

Purifica best out there to bring back the life of a coating. Their Primus 2.0 is also very good as part of their 3PH wash system. Ideal for a decon wash

 

Primus is the only one worth using, as it is around Ph1. Most others are PH4 which is around 1000 times weaker, so cannot really remove minerals.

 

You can’t go wrong with Bilt Hamber Korrosol! its basically fallout remover, it a fantastic option for safely removing embedded iron and other contaminants from paint and wheels.

 

Carpro Descale is another product which has good reviews which can also be used through a foam connon

 

Best on the market - #Labocosmetica Purifica - Waterspot & Limescale Decon Shampoo & Snowfoam 1L