Griot’s Garage Brilliant Finish Car Wash vs The Super Soaper

Is Griot’s Brilliant Finish still the best choice, or does The Super Soaper outperform it in foam, slickness, and paint safety? This in-depth review compares both head-to-head.

Introduction

Car wash soaps are the foundation of any safe detailing routine. A good soap provides lubrication, encapsulates dirt, and prevents scratches during contact washing. Two popular options are Griot’s Garage Brilliant Finish Car Wash and The Super Soaper from Jimbo’s Detailing. While both promise to be gentle on paint, their performance differs significantly when it comes to foam density, slickness, and modern wash techniques.

Product Overviews

Griot’s Brilliant Finish Car Wash

Brilliant Finish is a long-standing Griot’s product aimed at enthusiasts. It produces moderate suds, rinses clean, and is designed to leave behind a glossy finish. Many detailers like it as a traditional bucket wash soap, though some note that slickness isn’t as strong as newer formulations.

The Super Soaper

The Super Soaper was engineered for today’s wash methods—especially foam cannons and pre-soaks. It creates thick, shaving-cream-like foam that clings to panels, breaking down dirt before you touch the paint. Its formula prioritizes lubrication, making it safer against swirls and scratches. It’s also versatile: it can be used in a bucket, pump sprayer, or cannon.

Comparison Table

Feature	Griot’s Brilliant Finish	The Super Soaper
Foam Quality	Moderate suds, dissipates quickly	Thick, clings like shaving cream
Slickness	Decent lubrication	Ultra-slick, reduces swirl risk
pH Level	pH balanced, wax safe	pH balanced, coating safe
Best Use	Traditional bucket wash	Foam cannon + semi-touchless
Rinse-Off	Leaves slight gloss	Rinses clean, no residue

Durability & Protection

While soaps don’t offer true long-term protection, they can impact how clean and safe your wash is. Brilliant Finish leaves behind a slight gloss, but it doesn’t provide hydrophobic properties. The Super Soaper, by contrast, was designed to work hand-in-hand with modern protection like Tough As Shell. It rinses clean with no residue, ensuring your protection layer (wax, sealant, or ceramic) can perform at its peak.

Real-World Testing

Foam Cannon Test

We tested both soaps in a foam cannon at a 1:10 dilution. Brilliant Finish produced moderate foam that slid off panels quickly. The Super Soaper created thick foam that clung for over five minutes, allowing dirt to soften and rinse away before contact.

Bucketing Washing

Both performed fine in a two-bucket wash, but slickness was noticeably higher with The Super Soaper. When running a mitt across paint, it glided smoother, reducing the chance of dragging grit across surfaces.

Semi-Touchless Wash

This is where The Super Soaper shines. Used in a pump sprayer or cannon, it can safely remove most loose dirt without even touching the paint—perfect for maintenance washes or winter cleaning.

Scent & User Experience

Griot’s Brilliant Finish carries a mild, pleasant scent, while The Super Soaper is lightly fragranced but focuses on performance over fragrance. The ease of use and foam behavior of The Super Soaper made the wash process more enjoyable and faster.

Value & Cost Efficiency

Brilliant Finish is competitively priced but requires more product to achieve foam in a cannon. The Super Soaper is highly concentrated: just 1–2 ounces is enough for a full foam cannon, making it more cost-efficient in the long run.

Customer Feedback

“I used Brilliant Finish for years, but once I tried The Super Soaper, I never went back. The foam alone makes it worth it.” — David, WA

“Super slick and super safe. My black car hasn’t had new swirl marks since switching.” — Amanda, FL

Final Verdict

Brilliant Finish remains a solid traditional wash soap. But for modern washing techniques—foam cannons, pump sprayers, and swirl-free maintenance—The Super Soaper clearly outperforms it. Its thick foam, slick lubrication, and cost efficiency make it the superior choice for enthusiasts and pros alike.

FAQ

Can I use The Super Soaper in a bucket?

Yes, while it excels in foam cannons, The Super Soaper also works in bucket washes with outstanding slickness.

Is The Super Soaper safe for ceramic coatings?

Absolutely. It’s pH balanced and designed to clean without breaking down protection layers like Gloss Boss or Tough As Shell.

Does The Super Soaper replace the two-bucket method?

In many cases, yes. Its pre-soak power and lubrication reduce the need for heavy contact washing, though using a safe wash mitt still maximizes results.