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I Just Washed My Truck With Dish Detergent

WFO

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WFO Enthusiast

WFO

Posted
Posted

I just tried using dish detergent on my truck before waxing. It seemed to take all the baked on dirt off and hopefully all the old wax. I read about this some where and just tough I'd try it. I normally use Maguire's NXT for my routine washing.

Rosedog Enthusiast

Rosedog

Posted
Posted

Why would you use/do that? JMO I think you're going to ruin your paint that way.

saxdogg Enthusiast

saxdogg

Posted
Posted

Dish soap like Dawn works fine, it removes all the wax too though, so it makes a good prep-wash for re-waxing...

WFO Enthusiast

WFO

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Dish soap like Dawn works fine, it removes all the wax too though, so it makes a good prep-wash for re-waxing...

 

 

That's what I've read.

WFO Enthusiast

WFO

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I guess you did say that, huh....I must've misread your post. ME <--- :cool:

 

 

Hey, It happends to all of us sooner or later. :)

hodo78 Enthusiast

hodo78

Posted
Posted
Dish soap like Dawn works fine, it removes all the wax too though, so it makes a good prep-wash for re-waxing...

 

 

+1 :cool:

omegafiler Senior Enthusiast

omegafiler

Posted
Posted

Don't do it! :)

 

I would never recommend using dishwashing soap to wash your car. That stuff is way too abrassive for your paint and finish. It might appear to do a good job of removing grease and wax from your paint, but it can also cause damage in the long term. Those strong detergents in dish soap can strip not only wax but other protective coatings from the paint and leave the paint dull over time.

 

However, this is why some might think it's OK to use dish soap; because it removes wax, allowing you to cleanly apply your own wax to the vehicle. Which by the way, you DO need to apply wax if you've used any type of dish soap. However, this is not the proper way to remove wax or prep your vehicle for other cleaning products.

 

If you want to take care of your vehicle, use a car wash soap meant for cleaning vehicles that is safe and won't hurt anything. Then if you want to remove contaminents, wax, and other stuff on the surface of you paint, then look for a good quality Clay Bar. Meguiars and Mothers both have great products there. And that's what they are designed to do. Once that is done, then it's safe to apply your polishes, waxes, etc. This will produce far better results, it's safe, and won't hurt the paint.

 

Bottom line... dish washing soap is for dishes. It belongs in the kitchen. Not in the garage. :cool:

cm5 Enthusiast

cm5

Posted
Posted

i myself have never used dish washign soap to wash a vehicle, but on the zaino website, before wax they do suggest using liquid dish soap. they only suggest using the blue Dawn soap tho.

 

i'd figure it would be ok if they suggest it?

 

personally i use clay bar to strip old wax. plus makes my paint feel so nice!

omegafiler Senior Enthusiast

omegafiler

Posted
Posted
i myself have never used dish washign soap to wash a vehicle, but on the zaino website, before wax they do suggest using liquid dish soap. they only suggest using the blue Dawn soap tho.

 

i'd figure it would be ok if they suggest it?

 

personally i use clay bar to strip old wax. plus makes my paint feel so nice!

 

Yeah, I've seen that before on their site and a few select others. But that's about it. There could be something about Dawn in particular that they feel is safer for the paint, they might like the way it sounds, or perhaps they get ad revenue from Dawn. Who knows. :)

 

But I think you'll find that most detailers and experts would probably not recommend any dish soap to wash your car. I'm sure if you search around you'll find that most consider it a false Myth more than a proper car cleaning product. Of course everybody has their own unique way they detail, and if it works for them, I'm not going to stop 'em. :cool:

Bish Senior Enthusiast

Bish

Posted
Posted

I'm a satisfied Dawn user for pre-wax cleaning. I've used it for brand new vehicles fresh off the lot and I generally keep my vehicles for 8-10 years and they look GREAT after 8 years of outdoor living.

 

In fact, I just washed with Dawn this past weekend in advance of clay bar, polish, and 2 coats of Zaino. NEVER wash with Dawn unless you WANT to remove wax. I even think ZAINO recommends using Dawn to clean before application.

Zembonez Senior Enthusiast

Zembonez

Posted
Posted
I'm a satisfied Dawn user for pre-wax cleaning. I've used it for brand new vehicles fresh off the lot and I generally keep my vehicles for 8-10 years and they look GREAT after 8 years of outdoor living.

 

In fact, I just washed with Dawn this past weekend in advance of clay bar, polish, and 2 coats of Zaino. NEVER wash with Dawn unless you WANT to remove wax. I even think ZAINO recommends using Dawn to clean before application.

I've done it and seen it done using Dawn a few times. Not as a weekly wash mind you but as a precleaning for using a clay bar and wax. That was back when I waxed my cars. Never was able to see and damage over time... Now I just keep them clean and get rid of them after a year or so. :cool:

 

I don't think it will damage anything using Dawn on rare occasion.

Outbacker Enthusiast

Outbacker

Posted
Posted

This last weekend I washed the truck with dish soap to remove any excess wax, then followed up with clay, 2 coats of polish and a final coat of Meguires NXT wax, and the truck looks great. But for regular washing, I use Turtle Wax ICE soap. The only time I would ever touch my truck with dish soap is if I am looking at stripping off wax.

ws6_guy Senior Enthusiast

ws6_guy

Posted
Posted
Don't do it! :D

 

I would never recommend using dishwashing soap to wash your car. That stuff is way too abrassive for your paint and finish. It might appear to do a good job of removing grease and wax from your paint, but it can also cause damage in the long term. Those strong detergents in dish soap can strip not only wax but other protective coatings from the paint and leave the paint dull over time.

 

However, this is why some might think it's OK to use dish soap; because it removes wax, allowing you to cleanly apply your own wax to the vehicle. Which by the way, you DO need to apply wax if you've used any type of dish soap. However, this is not the proper way to remove wax or prep your vehicle for other cleaning products.

 

If you want to take care of your vehicle, use a car wash soap meant for cleaning vehicles that is safe and won't hurt anything. Then if you want to remove contaminents, wax, and other stuff on the surface of you paint, then look for a good quality Clay Bar. Meguiars and Mothers both have great products there. And that's what they are designed to do. Once that is done, then it's safe to apply your polishes, waxes, etc. This will produce far better results, it's safe, and won't hurt the paint.

 

Bottom line... dish washing soap is for dishes. It belongs in the kitchen. Not in the garage. :lol:

 

Very well put man.

Lances07Z71 Enthusiast

Lances07Z71

Posted
Posted

Nothing wrong with using Dawn once or twice a year to remove wax to start over.Even Zaino recommends it.I've been detailing mine and other vehicles for years and have always done it that way.It is the ONLY time I would ever use it.

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