Would you wash your car with Dawn?

[rst08tierney]

Im very curious and surprised on why so many "car enthusiast" turn to Dawn for their go to car wash soap for regular washings.

Why is this?

I have seen some discussion in other threads that some people swear by Dawn and other such as my self who would never let that product touch any of my vehicles paint.

Is it cost? I dont think it is. 38oz of Dawn is $4.00 compared to 64oz of Deep Crystal for $6.99

Its is just old school method and lack of knowledge? Like the guy cleaning and scratching his windows of his 58 Caddy at the car show with newspaper and vinegar?

[greg0303]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

I keep my car far away from Dawn and any other kitchen detergents.

I mainly use Next Car Wash, Ultimate Wash & Wax and Super Soap (with my foam gun).

If I need to strip wax I use clay bar and one of pre-wax cleaners.

[roguetadhg]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

From what I was aware of DAWN helps to loosen up the stuff for the claybar to pickup.

But also, since DAWN is a grease cutter... I'm sure it helps to take away what's left of the old wax. Which seems bad at first.. but this would allow a detailer to put on his/her coat(s) of sealant/wax. If I wasn't happy with the finish on my car, i'd use DAWN to get rid of the junk.

Now, if I just needed to add another coat of paste wax a day later, ontop of the liquid wax I had just done a day earlier - i wouldn't be using DAWN, because the new wax could be stripped. In this case I would definitely, definitely use Gold Class Car Wash.

[rst08tierney]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

From what I was aware of DAWN helps to loosen up the stuff for the claybar to pickup.

But also, since DAWN is a grease cutter... I'm sure it helps to take away what's left of the old wax. Which seems bad at first.. but this would allow a detailer to put on his/her coat(s) of sealant/wax.

Since it's not abrasive, it would not hurt the paint and clear coat.

If your claying your most likely going to be using a 3 step afterwards, so your already cleaning the vehicles paint, why take a chance of dawn getting on your vehicles plastics and rubber seals and drying them out.

Again, im talking about using dawn as a regular car wash soap, not for your once a year detail.

[Murr1525]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

Some companies instruct that their products must be used after washing with a strong cleaner/degreaser like Dawn.

[Malo83]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

I use it before giving a good paint cleaning and wax

[Shawn T.]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

I have switched over to rinseless and waterless washing for the most part so really no need for dawn. However, on cars that are super trashed like heavy caked mud, I would not be opposed to a Dawn wash.

[TXShine]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

I really don't understand why anybody would use Dawn Dishwashing soap on their car? But to each his own...... If you need to remove old wax, then claying should do the job. Also, I believe I read somewhere that Dishwashing soap will dry things out......... like weather striping and everything else it comes in contact with.

[stephensdetail]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

some detailers would use Dawn on first time customer cars to make sure the paint was stripped of any wax from other detailers. and it is an older day method and lack of knowledge. continues usage of Dawn will dry out weather strippings. and with the advancement in proper car cleaning products there are soaps that are made specific for cars that will do the same and be safe to weather stripping

[Lasthope05]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

If your claying your most likely going to be using a 3 step afterwards, so your already cleaning the vehicles paint, why take a chance of dawn getting on your vehicles plastics and rubber seals and drying them out.

Again, im talking about using dawn as a regular car wash soap, not for your once a year detail.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/22836-optimum-opti-coating-durability-test-review.html

David Fermani ran a test and did weekly washes with dawn on his car to test the durability of optimum's opti-coat. At the end he found no differences in trim appearance from the treated side vs non treated side.

In fact, there is no documentation of dawn drying out plastics and seals. Its one of the assumptions that people believe just like how armor all dries out your dash and cracks it. Now, I'm not saying it does or doesnt dry rubber and trims but there is been no long term tests on the matter so everything you hear about it drying is hearsay.

Anyways, I usually use dawn or regular shampoo w/ APC to strip paint before claying and doing a full correction because some lsps/silicone glazes reduce the effectiveness of claying and polishing , but I dont use it as a regular maintenace wash because I dont like wasting wax by waxing every time I wash.

[Don]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

I'll use Dawn for the first major wash in the spring, but not any other time.

[roguetadhg]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

speaking of, the first major wash should be coming up soon for us outdoors-undertree people. Im going to try for today actually

[mis3]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

I never use Dawn but I will try it.
I think people use it to save time. You can combine the wash and clean steps into one easy step.

My question is why only Dawn? Can the other dish washing do the same job?

[jfelbab]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

Here is what Procter & Gamble, the maker of DAWN has to say about this.

Your car surface and the dirt that gets on it are a lot different from the food soils and dishes that dishwashing liquids clean effectively. We don't recommend them for cleaning your car.

Use what you want but if it was harmless, why wouldn't P&G say go ahead and use it?

[rst08tierney]

Re: Would you wash your car with Dawn?

Here is what Procter & Gamble, the maker of DAWN has to say about this.



Use what you want but if it was harmless, why wouldn't P&G say go ahead and use it?

thats a very good point