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Turtle Wax

Max Power Car Wash

$0.84COST/WASH

A concentrated alkaline car shampoo with high surfactant loading designed for adjustable cleaning intensity from gentle maintenance washes to heavy degreasing applications. Turtle Wax Max Power Car Wash ranks #2 among 80 car shampoos for strip-wash strength, designed to remove old wax, sealant, or coating layers during paint correction prep. It also contains chelating agents that help prevent water spots, especially useful in hard water areas.

Key Chemistry

pH Level

10.3

Active Mechanism

alkaline surfactant cleaning

Surfactants

8 (anionic, amphoteric)

Expert Analysis

This alkaline formula centers around dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid as the primary cleaning agent, supported by amphoteric surfactants to balance performance and mildness. The high surfactant concentration enables the adjustable dilution strategy, allowing users to dial in cleaning intensity from wax-safe maintenance washing to aggressive degreasing by varying concentration ratios.

Key Differentiators

  • Variable dilution strategy allows single product to serve multiple cleaning intensities
  • Full ingredient transparency with all 30 components disclosed

Potential Concerns

  • High alkaline pH (10.25) may be aggressive on certain surfaces if used at strong concentrations
  • Wide dilution range (3-9 ounces per bucket) requires user judgment to avoid over-concentration

Ingredients

30 disclosed
Dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid1.6 - 1.8
CAS: 27176-87-0Surfactant
Benzenesulfonic acid, 4-C10-13-sec-alkyl derivatives1.6 – 1.8
CAS: 85536-14-7Surfactant
Benzenesulfonic acid, C10-16-alkyl derivatives1.6 – 1.8
CAS: 68584-22-5Surfactant
Sodium lauryl sulfate0.4 – 0.9
CAS: 151-21-3Surfactant
Sodium hydroxide< 0.4
CAS: 1310-73-2pH adjustment
D-Limonene<0.06
CAS: 5989-27-5Fragrance
1,2,3-Propanetriol< 0.03
CAS: 56-81-5Humectant
Sulfur dioxide< 0.002
CAS: 7446-09-5Trace Contaminant
Methanol< 0.002
CAS: 67-56-1Solvent
Chloroacetic acid< 0.001
CAS: 79-11-8Trace Contaminant
Dichloroacetic acid< 0.001
CAS: 79-43-6Trace Contaminant
Citral< 0.001
CAS: 5392-40-5Fragrance
Myrcene< 0.001
CAS: 123-35-3Fragrance
Ammonia< 0.0006
CAS: 7664-41-7pH adjustment
WaterN/D
CAS: 7732-18-5Solvent
Cocamidopropyl BetaineN/D
CAS: 70851-07-9Surfactant
Benzyl BenzoateN/D
CAS: 120-51-4Fragrance
Sodium MetasilicateN/D
CAS: 6834-92-0Chelating agent
Alkyl Benzene-Ln (C10-13)N/D
CAS: 129813-58-7Surfactant
Alkyl Benzene-Ln (C10-13)N/D
CAS: 67774-74-7Surfactant
Sulfuric AcidN/D
CAS: 7664-93-9pH adjustment
Tetrasodium EDTAN/D
CAS: 64-02-8Chelating agent
Linalyl AcetateN/D
CAS: 115-95-7Fragrance
Ethyl HydroxypyroneN/D
CAS: 4940-11-8Fragrance
LinaloolN/D
CAS: 78-70-6Fragrance
BenzisothiazolinoneN/D
CAS: 2634-33-5Preservative
Cocamidopropyl DimethylamineN/D
CAS: 68140-01-2Surfactant
Acid Yellow 73 Sodium SaltN/D
CAS: 518-47-8Colorant
Sodium SulfateN/D
CAS: 7757-82-6Thickener
Magnesium NitrateN/D
CAS: 10377-60-3Trace Contaminant

Source: both

Safety Profile

Signal Word
Warning
Eye Hazard
May cause slight irritation to eyes
Skin Hazard
May cause an allergic skin reaction
Corrosive to Metals
No
Flammable
No

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