Chemical Guys Total Reset Review – Is It Worth It?

Jimbo Balaam on

Chemical Guys Total Reset promises to prep your paint—but does it strip too much? Here's how it performed against The Super Soaper in a real-world test.

Chemical Guys Total Reset Review – Is It Worth It?

Chemical Guys Total Reset Review – Is It Worth It?

Is Chemical Guys Total Reset a true decontamination soap, or just another high-foam marketing gimmick? We tested it against real road grime to find out.

This review breaks down what Total Reset is supposed to do, how it performs in real-world washing, and whether there’s a better foam soap that actually delivers cleaning power without damaging coatings.

What Does Chemical Guys Total Reset Claim?

Total Reset is marketed as a “decontamination wash” meant to strip waxes, remove embedded road film, and prep for coatings or sealants. It promises:

  • High-foaming, touchless-style application
  • Strong cleaning power for pre-detail prep
  • Safe for ceramic coatings (but also able to strip wax?)

Right away, there’s a contradiction—safe on coatings, but strips protection?

Our Real-World Testing: Foam, Cleaning, Safety

We tested Total Reset against The Super Soaper on 3 types of vehicles:

  • Waxed black SUV
  • Coated daily driver (ceramic applied 3 months ago)
  • Unprotected truck with road film and brake dust

### 🧪 Results: | Category | Total Reset | The Super Soaper | |----------|-------------|------------------| | Foam Cling | Medium | **Thick, clingy** | | Smell | Strong chemical | **Neutral / clean** | | Strips Wax? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (if used strong) | | Safe on Coating? | ✳️ Mixed results | ✅ Fully safe | | Leaves Behind Gloss? | ❌ No | ✅ Slight sheen | | Cost Per Wash | Higher | Lower |

Total Reset foamed okay but didn’t break down road film without agitation. On coated paint, it noticeably dulled the slickness—even after rinsing thoroughly.

What to Use Instead: The Super Soaper

We designed The Super Soaper to solve this exact problem: foam cannon soaps that either don’t clean, or clean too aggressively and strip protection.

  • pH balanced — doesn’t dull coatings
  • Can be boosted for decon washes (via dilution)
  • Massive foam cling = more dwell time
  • Smells clean, not chemical-heavy

If you want to remove wax safely or prep for coating without risking your ceramic layer, this is the smarter solution.

More Honest Product Breakdowns

Better Foam. Safer Wash.

The Super Soaper is the safe, strong, and smart alternative to gimmicky foam soaps. Use it for maintenance, prep, or full decon—your call.