Stars + Stripes Patriot Powder: The Ultimate Touch Free Vehicle Wash

STEP 1: Knock off any heavy build-up with a high PSI pre-rinse

STEP 2: Foam STARS onto the vehicle, working from bottom to top. Work in a manageable-sized section. Streaking can occur on polished aluminum if the soaps dry before they are rinsed off

STEP 3: Foam STRIPES directly over Stars working from bottom to top. DO NOT let the soap dwell. It's important to start rinsing while both soaps are still foamy and clinging to the surface

STEP 4: Rinse left to right, starting at the bottom of the foamed area. Use high PSI and stay within 12" of surface. Doing this creates a line in the foam and lets you keep track of where you have not rinsed yet. Missing a section while rinsing will leave behind road film.

Stars + Stripes is Chem-X’s flagship two-step liquid wash system designed for touch-free cleaning. Stars (Blue) is an acid-based pre-soak that breaks through mineral buildup and oxidation, while Stripes (Red) is an alkaline foam that cuts through grease, oils, and road grime. Together, they neutralize on contact for an ultra-effective, fast-acting clean—no brush needed.

Patriot Powder delivers the same two-step wash performance, but in a concentrated powdered form. It’s ideal for high-volume operations or setups that prefer bulk powder mixing for cost-efficiency and storage savings. Once mixed, it mimics the cleaning power of the liquid Stars + Stripes.

Stars+Stripes are designed to be used on any type of vehicle. Our customers use these on everything from cars to motorcycles and quads to big rigs with highly polished aluminum and even heavy construction equipment.

Stars and Stripes is formulated for use on mirror polished aluminum. When washing polished aluminum it is helpful not to let any type of soap dry on it before rinsing, so we recommend washing in sections if working on highly polished surfaces.

It is designed to stay within the pH tolerances of ceramic coatings and sealants, both SiO2 and SiC.

Strength: The most important thing is to find the right ratio to use touch free soaps at, the stronger the mix the cleaner the vehicle, but you want to find the strength that works in your situation while not wasting the soaps.

Impact: It is also important to keep in mind when rinsing that the water pressure is now the physical contact with the surface of the vehicle to scrub it clean, so rinse close and thoroughly, we rinse bottom to top to help get a bit more consistent impact on the surface.

Time: Dwell time once the two soaps are mixed on the vehicle can also be helpful especially on vehicles that have not been washed in a long time, 3-5 minutes of dwell time generally helps here.

Heat helps if you have it, we recommend setting a heated power washer to 140 degrees for best results, which may actually reach right up to 100% clean. However heat is not required for up to 95% perfect results with good soft water and close contact high psi rinsing.

The softer your water the better the results. Ideal water can yield up to 95% of what you could achieve with a mitt wash.

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Stars+Stripes are biodegradable. When used together these soaps will become a neutral pH, which is much better for the environment and also for your vehicle than high alkaline single step soaps.