Touchless shampoo for a self-service car wash
Touchless shampoo is applied to the body as foam or solution and rinsed with pressurised water, without a brush or sponge. Products differ in pH and dilution: there are versions for hard water, the first washing phase and dosing systems. The table below brings them together; a process specialist will send the exact setting for your water and equipment with the quotation.
- 30 shampoos
- Brands: Shine Systems, SmartOpen, Complex
- Prices from 590 ₽
All products in the catalogue
Shine SystemsActiveBasefrom 990 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsActiveGelfrom 1 390 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsBlack Line GentleWash1 590 ₽ 318 ₽/L
Shine SystemsBlack Line ReadyFoam590 ₽ 118 ₽/L
Shine SystemsDelicateWashfrom 1 490 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsDosatronfrom 3 490 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsEcoFoamfrom 590 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsEuroWashfrom 1 290 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsLightfrom 2 590 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsMultiTecfrom 3 190 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsMultiWashfrom 3 990 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsPinkFoamfrom 1 790 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsPPF PreWash1 390 ₽ 278 ₽/L
Shine SystemsPreWashfrom 1 490 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsPreWash Activefrom 4 490 ₽Choose pack size
Shine SystemsSuperStarfrom 4 090 ₽Choose pack size- SSBL955Shine SystemsBlack Line Citrus PreWashPrice on requestRequest a price
- SSBL968Shine SystemsBlack Line PinkFoam AromaPrice on requestRequest a price
SmartOpenSAFE 013 951 ₽ 165 ₽/kg
SmartOpenSAFE 01 Series 23 135 ₽ 142 ₽/kg
SmartOpenPOWER SAFE 403 685 ₽ 157 ₽/kg
SmartOpenTURBO SAFE 414 158 ₽ 173 ₽/kg
SmartOpenMULTI SAFE 423 300 ₽ 150 ₽/kg
ComplexTUTOR3 951 ₽ 188 ₽/kg
ComplexMASTER3 314 ₽ 166 ₽/kg
ComplexProfy4 010 ₽ 191 ₽/kg
ComplexROBOX3 317 ₽ 166 ₽/kg
ComplexSENZA3 992 ₽ 190 ₽/kg
ComplexMercury3 139 ₽ 157 ₽/kg
ComplexMiracle (pink foam)4 567 ₽ 228 ₽/kg
Comparison: pH, dilution, pack sizes and prices
| Product | Brand | pH | Dilution | Pack sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveBase | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:60 – 1:120 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 5 L / 20 kg / 60 kg / 1150 kg | from 990 ₽ |
| ActiveGel | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:100 – 1:200 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 5 L / 20 kg / 60 kg | from 1 390 ₽ |
| Black Line GentleWash | Shine Systems | — | 1:5 – 1:10 — professional foam lance, PROMAX system | 5 l | 1 590 ₽ |
| Black Line ReadyFoam | Shine Systems | 12 – 12,5 | Not required — foam lance | 5 l | 590 ₽ |
| DelicateWash | Shine Systems | — | 1:5 – 1:10 — foam lance, PROMAX system | 5 L / 20 kg | from 1 490 ₽ |
| Dosatron | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:50 – 1:100 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 20 kg / 60 kg / 1150 kg | from 3 490 ₽ |
| EcoFoam | Shine Systems | 11.5 | 1:20 – 1:50 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 5 L / 20 kg / 1100 kg | from 590 ₽ |
| EuroWash | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:50 – 1:100 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 5 L / 20 kg / 60 kg | from 1 290 ₽ |
| Light | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:30 – 1:70 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 20 kg / 60 kg / 1100 kg | from 2 590 ₽ |
| MultiTec | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:40 – 1:100 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 20 kg / 60 kg / 1150 kg | from 3 190 ₽ |
| MultiWash | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:100 – 1:150 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 20 kg / 60 kg / 1200 kg | from 3 990 ₽ |
| PinkFoam | Shine Systems | — | 1:50 – 1:100 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer | 5 L / 20 kg / 60 kg / 1150 kg | from 1 790 ₽ |
| PPF PreWash | Shine Systems | 11 – 11,5 | 1:5 – 1:10 — foam lance, PROMAX system | 5 l | 1 390 ₽ |
| PreWash | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:50 – 1:120 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 5 L / 20 kg / 60 kg / 1200 kg | from 1 490 ₽ |
| PreWash Active | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:70 – 1:150 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 20 kg / 60 kg | from 4 490 ₽ |
| SuperStar | Shine Systems | 12 | 1:50 – 1:120 — foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer, DOSATRON | 20 kg / 60 kg / 1200 kg | from 4 090 ₽ |
| Black Line Citrus PreWash | Shine Systems | — | — | 5 L / 750 mL | on request |
| Black Line PinkFoam Aroma | Shine Systems | — | — | 5 L / 20 kg / 750 mL | on request |
| SAFE 01 | SmartOpen | — | Foam lance 1:5–1:10 | 24 kg | 3 951 ₽ |
| SAFE 01 Series 2 | SmartOpen | — | Foam lance 1:4–1:8 | 22 kg | 3 135 ₽ |
| POWER SAFE 40 | SmartOpen | — | Foam lance 1:5–1:10 (100–200 g/L) | 23,5 kg | 3 685 ₽ |
| TURBO SAFE 41 | SmartOpen | — | Foam lance 1:5–1:20 (50–100 g/L) | 24 kg | 4 158 ₽ |
| MULTI SAFE 42 | SmartOpen | — | Foam lance 1:4–1:8 (125–250 g/L) | 22 kg | 3 300 ₽ |
| TUTOR | Complex | — | Foam lance: 100–300 mL per 1 L of water | 21 kg | 3 951 ₽ |
| MASTER | Complex | — | Foam generator: 500–1500 mL per 50 L | 20 kg | 3 314 ₽ |
| Profy | Complex | — | Foam generator: 500–1000 mL per 50 L | 21 kg | 4 010 ₽ |
| ROBOX | Complex | — | Dosing systems and robotic washes — concentration 1–2% | 20 kg | 3 317 ₽ |
| SENZA | Complex | — | Foam generator: 400–1000 mL per 50 L | 21 kg | 3 992 ₽ |
| Mercury | Complex | — | Foam generator: 500–1000 mL per 50 L | 20 kg | 3 139 ₽ |
| Miracle (pink foam) | Complex | — | Foam lance: 100 mL per 1 L | 20 kg | 4 567 ₽ |
Data comes from manufacturers' price lists and descriptions. The price is the final retail price: the product manufacturer arranges and pays for delivery, which is already included in the product price. Purchase terms are in the public offer.
How products in this category differ
The category contains thirty products, with essentially four differences: alkalinity, dilution, response to water and what is already applied to the bodywork.
Most concentrates have pH 12, the working alkalinity of the first phase. EcoFoam is lower at 11.5 and PPF PreWash at 11–11.5: their manufacturers designed them for gentler cleaning. Some products have no pH specified in the data sheet, so those cells in the table above are blank.
Dilution is the second figure to compare. ActiveBase uses 1:60 – 1:120 for a foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer and DOSATRON, and 1:6 – 1:12 for a foam lance; MultiWash uses 1:100 – 1:150 and 1:10 – 1:15. The range matters more than the price per canister: higher dilution yields more solution from one canister. All catalogue ratios are in the article How to dilute touchless shampoo.
For your water
Manufacturers do not specify water hardness for every product. Those explicitly designed for hard water include ActiveBase, MultiWash, PreWash Active, SAFE 01 Series 2, TUTOR, Mercury and SENZA. MASTER is described as suitable for medium-hard water; TURBO SAFE 41 is stated to work with water of any hardness. If you do not know your water hardness, start with an analysis: in soft water, a hard-water product simply costs more without an advantage. Product-by-product guidance is in the article Shampoo for hard water.
For your equipment
A foam lance, foam generator and dosing system dilute concentrate differently, which is why one data sheet can contain two settings. Dosatron is designed for centralised supply, with matched viscosity and moderate foam. Complex ROBOX is designed for robotic washes and self-service bays and works at a concentration of 1–2%. Black Line ReadyFoam does not need dilution at all: pour it into the foam lance ready to use.
For the coating on the bodywork
A car with ceramic coating, wax, rain repellent or film should not be washed with the same product as a truck. The catalogue has separate products for protected bodywork: DelicateWash — an alkali-free first phase; PPF PreWash for film, including matt film, without dyes or fragrances; and Black Line GentleWash, which according to the manufacturer does not strip wax, ceramic coatings or rain repellent. At the other end is POWER SAFE 40: an enhanced formula for trucks and buses that dissolves oily dirt and insect marks.
Mistakes visible on the bodywork
Everything below is specified in the data sheets of products in this category: these are manufacturers' requirements, not general advice.
- Hot bodywork and direct sunlight. Nearly all data sheets repeat the prohibition: on heated metal, the solution dries before it can work.
- Over-dried foam. Contact time is 2–3 minutes, or 1.5–3 for SmartOpen, and the product must stay wet throughout. Dried product is difficult to rinse and leaves marks.
- Diluting by eye. Confusing the foam-lance and foam-generator settings means either no foam or using a month's concentrate supply in a week.
- Skipping the initial dirt rinse. Where the data sheet says “first remove heavy dirt with pressurised water”, doing otherwise wastes product on a layer that plain water can remove.
- Yesterday's solution. ROBOX explicitly states that the working solution must be used within 24 hours.
- One tank for several products. The data sheets do not recommend mixing concentrates.
- Storage below freezing. Almost all products in this category are stored at +5…+25 °C away from direct sunlight; the only exception in the data is MASTER, with a range of −30…+30 °C.
What comes before shampoo and what follows it
At a wash bay, touchless shampoo is the middle of the cycle. Before it comes active foam: it softens the film of road dirt through contact time and coverage. Shampoo follows to finish cleaning the softened dirt and produces less foam. After it comes wax — according to manufacturers' descriptions, it speeds up body drying and protects against renewed soiling — while remaining water is removed with microfibre. The article explains why one stage cannot replace another Active foam or touchless shampoo.
Choose the pack size separately from the product: a bay's working format is a 20–24 kg canister, while 5 L and 750 mL packs let you test the product with your water before purchasing in volume. Read more in Canister, drum or IBC.
Questions and answers
How do you choose touchless shampoo for a self-service wash?
Start with three things: the site's water hardness, the foaming equipment and the condition of customers' bodywork. Manufacturers designed ActiveBase, MultiWash, PreWash Active, SAFE 01 Series 2, TUTOR, Mercury and SENZA for hard water; Dosatron and ROBOX for centralised supply and dosing systems; and DelicateWash, PPF PreWash and Black Line GentleWash for cars with ceramic coatings, wax or film. A process specialist will select the exact concentration for your water and site temperature when preparing the quotation.
How does touchless shampoo differ from active foam?
These are two stages, not two names for the same thing. Active foam comes first: a thick solution coats the body and stays there while softening road dirt. Shampoo follows to finish cleaning the softened dirt and produces less foam. Skipping the first stage is visible on the bodywork, so one cannot replace the other at the wash bay.
Why does the table show two dilutions for one product?
Because the figure depends on the foaming equipment. ActiveBase uses 1:60 – 1:120 for a foam generator, sprayer, pump sprayer and DOSATRON, and 1:6 – 1:12 for a foam lance: the former dilute concentrate themselves; the latter supplies an almost ready-to-use solution. Use the foam-generator dilution in a foam lance and there will be no foam; reverse them and a month's supply will be gone in a week.
Can this shampoo be used on a car with a ceramic coating or film?
The catalogue has separate products for protected bodywork. DelicateWash is an alkali-free first phase for cars with ceramic coatings, wax and film. PPF PreWash is designed for film, including matt film, without dyes or fragrances. According to its manufacturer, Black Line GentleWash removes road dirt without stripping wax, ceramic coatings or rain-repellent treatments.
How long should the product stay on the body before rinsing?
2–3 minutes according to Shine Systems and Complex data sheets, or 1.5–3 minutes for SmartOpen products. The main requirement is the same for all: do not allow the solution to dry, and do not apply it to hot bodywork or in direct sunlight. Rinse with high pressure and plenty of water.
Related articles
SelectionTouchless shampoo for hard water: which products are suitable
Which touchless shampoos and foams manufacturers specifically designed for hard and medium-hard water, which product works with water of any hardness, and where to begin your selection.
PurchasingCanister, drum or IBC: which car-care pack size to buy for a wash
What volume to buy for a bay, when a 60 kg drum or an IBC offers better value, and why choose five litres — with per-kilogram and per-litre prices from the catalogue.
ExplainedHow to dilute touchless shampoo: a table for all products
Why one product has two dilution settings, how a foam lance differs from a foam generator, and a table of ratios for every touchless shampoo and foam in the catalogue.
ExplainedActive foam or touchless shampoo: the difference and what a wash needs
Two washing stages, not two names for one product: what active foam and touchless shampoo do, where wax fits in, and why one cannot replace the other.