Stars + Stripes: The Ultimate Touch Free Vehicle Wash
When it comes to deep-cleaning vehicles without touching the surface, nothing beats the proven performance of Stars and Stripes. This two-step acid-alkaline system is engineered to safely remove road film, grime, oxidation, and organic buildup from fleet vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment, and more— without the need for brushing.
If you want to achieve a clean that looks hand-washed without ever picking up a mitt, this guide will show you how Stars and Stripes delivers professional-grade results in a truly touch-free wash.
Shop Stars + Stripes: The Ultimate Touch-Free Vehicle Wash
What Is Stars and Stripes?
Stars and Stripes is a two-step chemical wash process built around the principle of pH reaction. Each soap plays a unique role:
Stars (Step 1 – Acidic Pre-Soak)
- Acid-based cleaner
- Breaks the static bond between road film and surfaces
- Loosens oxidation, minerals, and grime adhesion
- Safe on polished aluminum, chrome, stainless steel, glass, and paint when used correctly
Stripes (Step 2 – Alkaline Neutralizer)
- Alkaline foaming soap
- Lifts and removes organic grime like bugs, oils, soot, and grease
- Neutralizes the acidic base from Stars
- Creates rich foam with excellent dwell time and rinsability
Together, they produce a chemical reaction that dissolves grime and film without the need for agitation.
Why Two Steps? The Science Behind It
Most tough grime is bonded to vehicle surfaces by a combination of mineral and organic layers. A single soap can’t effectively attack both.
- Stars (acid) breaks the mineral bond
- Stripes (alkaline) lifts the organic layer
- The pH reaction between them emulsifies the grime and allows it to rinse off clean
✅ The result: A deeper, safer clean—with no physical contact required.
How to Use Stars +Stripes
Step-By-Step Application:
Before You Start...
- No situation is the same in the world of washing & degreasing. Different seasons, paint conditions, power washers, etc all play a huge role in how you wash.
- Each gallon of soap is SUPER concentrated. Stretch it out or go a little heavier. This is up to you. Wash a small section and adjust your soaps if needed. Use this technique whenever starting a new wash.
- Before applying STARS, we recommend performing a high-PSI pre-rinse to remove any heavy buildup.
Apply Stars (Blue)
- Use a foamer or soap nozzle
- Foam bottom-up to avoid streaking
Dwell time: 30–60 seconds (do not let dry)
Apply Stripes (Red)
- Foam directly over Stars—no rinse in between
- Apply again, bottom-up
- Dwell another 30–60 seconds
If you’re working on a vehicle with heavy grime or buildup, you can extend the dwell time for better results—just be careful not to let the soap dry on the surface.
Rinse Thoroughly
- Rinse left to right, starting at the bottom of the foamed section.
- Rinse using a high-PSI and stay within 12" of the surface. Missing a section while rinsing will leave behind road film.
Optional Step 4: Add Snake Oil For Protection
- Apply downstream after rinse
- Let sit for 30–60 seconds
- Rinse to reveal a slick, glossy, water-beading finish
Equipment Options
You can apply Stars and Stripes using various Chem-X-compatible setups:
| Method | Required Equipment | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| ST-164 Dual Foam Injector | ST-164 Dual Injector + Foamer Lance | Pro 2-step setups |
| Foam Cannon (DIY) | 2 separate Chrome Cannons (one for each soap) | Mobile detailers, light use |
| ST-160 Single Foam Injector (1 soap) | Single-step use, switching soaps manually, not recommended for Stars + Stripes, but possible. | Budget setups, trailers |
💡 The ST-164 Dual Injector is the most efficient—allowing you to switch soaps instantly with a selector lever.
Dilution Guidelines
| Soap | Application Method | Starting Dilution |
|---|---|---|
| Stars | Downstream | 1:10 to 1:15 (via dosing nozzle) |
| Stripes | Downstream | 1:10 to 1:15 |
| Stars | Foam Cannon | 2–3 oz in cannon bottle |
| Stripes | Foam Cannon | 2–3 oz in cannon bottle |
Use green (100:1) or blue (70:1) metering nozzles for typical downstream use. Adjust based on water hardness, GPM, and soap strength needed.
✅ Best Practices for Maximum Results
- Always apply to cool surfaces – avoid direct sunlight and hot paint
- Do not let soap dry – work in sections on larger vehicles
- Rinse completely – incomplete rinsing can leave white film or streaks
- Use deionized water or towel-dry if spotting is an issue
- For extreme grime, repeat process or pre-rinse with high pressure
Safe Surfaces
Stars and Stripes are safe for use on:
- Clear coat
- Painted surfaces
- Chrome and stainless steel
- Glass and plastic trim
- Polished aluminum (when rinsed quickly and applied at proper dilution)
Ideal Applications
- Fleet washing (box trucks, semis, trailers)
- Heavy equipment (tractors, dump trucks, rigs)
- Wash bays and commercial cleaning setups
- RVs and large vehicles that are hard to hand-wash
- High-turnaround mobile wash businesses
Liquid vs. Powder (Patriot Powder)
Chem-X also offers Patriot Powder, a dry version of Stars and Stripes.
- Mix 3.2 oz per gallon of water to create liquid versions
- Same performance with lower shipping cost and more storage efficiency
- Ideal for high-volume operations or remote mixing
Final Thoughts
Chem-X Stars and Stripes is the ultimate touch-free wash solution for professionals who demand fast, consistent, and safe cleaning—without scrubbing. The acid-alkaline combination delivers the cleaning power of a hand wash in a fraction of the time, making it the gold standard in touchless vehicle care.
Whether you’re maintaining fleets or detailing rigs, Stars and Stripes will help you deliver elite results—one foam pass at a time.