Is dish washing soap that bad?

[Ryan L.]

Hey guys...

While working on my moms car this weekend, I used the normal 2 bucket wash with Gold Class then clayed. I was going to do a full 5 step so I decided to use some dish washing soap after the clay to make sure the car was clean, and just a test type of thing. I found that the trim looked much better after the dish washing soap wash.

Is it all that bad to use dish washing soap maybe 1-2 times a year? Seems like it gave me a cleaner surface to work with and started out better.

I know there are alternatives, like using DC 1 or another paint cleaner, but I was going to wash after claying anyways.

Ryan

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

I'm sure dish soap has degreasers in it, I think that's the problem with it.

[OhioCarBuff]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

FWIW- I've always had my cars oil sprayed every fall because they salt the heck out of our roads here in the winter. They spray the oil everywhere on the undercarriage, door seams, up the drain holes, etc etc, so it makes a mess and a lot of it gets all over the paint. You need to wash one time with dishwashing soap which dissolves and washes off the oil right away, when you wash with regular car soap it just smears the oil around. This is a testimony to how much more gentle dedicated car washing soap is

[christian6984]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

apparently it can bring rust on, i have done it before. i used Fairy Washing up liquid with Tesco APC it did a great job then tackled all the green stuff growing in the edges of window rubbers etc, also removed the wax from black trim, this was aggitated with a brush stiff-ish brush. (may get some photos up of the car soon, as it was its final clean, it sold pretty quick).

The rust idea does worry me a bit, sure someone else will say if it is true or not

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

There's a time and purpose for using a detergent wash but for regular maintenance of your car's finish Meguiar's recommend using a non-detergent wash.

See sig line...

[Ryan L.]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

FWIW- I've always had my cars oil sprayed every fall because they salt the heck out of our roads here in the winter. They spray the oil everywhere on the undercarriage, door seams, up the drain holes, etc etc, so it makes a mess and a lot of it gets all over the paint. You need to wash one time with dishwashing soap which dissolves and washes off the oil right away, when you wash with regular car soap it just smears the oil around. This is a testimony to how much more gentle dedicated car washing soap is

I dont have the salt problem, but a lot of oil from the highways. 90% of my moms driving is highway, so it gets covered in junk.

And like I said, I'm not planning on doing this all the time, just 1-2 times a year.

Ryan

[Murr1525]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

Seems like maybe you saw some benefit from the degreasing ability of the product. Perhaps a pre-wash spraying with a regular degreaser/APC would help also?

I would be worried to wash with it as the dishsoap wont have the same lubricating ability as a car soap. Same with the APC, etc.

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

I use Dawn when doing a car for the first time. I usually foam it on via foamer and let dwell and then rinse. I then come back and wash with a mitt. I'm telling you........it is a lot stronger than any car wash.

For routine washes I use NXT Tech wash. I only use Dawn before correction/protection. I've actually foamed it on after polishing to remove dust and any polish left.

[Justin Murphy]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

Seems like maybe you saw some benefit from the degreasing ability of the product. Perhaps a pre-wash spraying with a regular degreaser/APC would help also?

I would be worried to wash with it as the dishsoap wont have the same lubricating ability as a car soap. Same with the APC, etc.

Dawn actually has more lubricants than car wash. Just has a higher alkaline content.

[Black Bart]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

When I want to strip the LSP and polish my show car I wash it with Dawn.
Washing you mothers car a couple times a year will not harm it.

Dish soap will remove dressing from the trim and weather stripping but after polishing and applying your LSP you should treat the weather stripping and all will be fine.

[seth1066]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

I use a pure (m5, M7) or semi-pure polish (M3, M80) on single stage paint to put back the oils and resins. I would think using Dawn between the polish and LSP, would remove those paint nutrients.

[Black Bart]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

I use a pure (m5, M7) or semi-pure polish (M3, M80) on single stage paint to put back the oils and resins. I would think using Dawn between the polish and LSP, would remove those paint nutrients.

You are correct but the OP ask about washing after claying.

Washing once or twice a year before polishing will not harm anything if a full detail follows the wash.

Be sure to treat the trim and weatherstripping

If you are not comfortable using dish soap then don't use it.

I would not use it for a regular wash but once or twice per year under the conditions the OP ask about won't be a problem.

[Ryan L.]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

You are correct but the OP ask about washing after claying.

Washing once or twice a year before polishing will not harm anything if a full detail follows the wash.

Be sure to treat the trim and weatherstripping

If you are not comfortable using dish soap then don't use it.

I would not use it for a regular wash but once or twice per year under the conditions the OP ask about won't be a problem.

Thanks Black Bart...I think most didn't realize the conditions I was talking about.

Ryan

[seth1066]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

You are correct but the OP ask about washing after claying.

In my cautionary suggestion I should have quoted this poster: "I've actually foamed it on after polishing to remove dust and any polish left."

[EPHIOS]

Re: Is dish washing soap that bad?

Oh yeah! Dish washing soap is bad for the entire exterior of the car. It's efficient, however, on stripping wax.