People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash my ca

[Dusted1972]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

I would usually only use Dawn (a very small amount) if the vehicle is going to be rewaxed anyway,or if its a vehicle being prepared for paint.Just make sure you rinse it off really really good or else it tends to leave spots and streaks .

[Michael Stoops]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

I personally have been exclusively using/testing Dawn weekly on my personal vehicle for 1 year w/o any adverse effects so far. My car is in S. Florida, parked outside 24hrs/day and runs atleast 8 hours per day, 5 days a week. I believe someone on another forum compared the PH level of Dawn to other car wash soaps and found that they are comparable. What is your evidence/data supporting your statement?

Just out of curiosity, David, are you doing nothing more than washing with Dawn and then rinsing and drying? That is, you aren't putting any sort of dressing on the vinyl/rubber/plastic, no wax on the paint, etc? That would be an interesting test as so many non enthusiasts are prone to that level of care for their vehicles, and we believe that is where the use of a dish detergent starts to cause problems after prolonged use.

It is interesting that Dawn has the following on their own FAQ page:

Can I use Dawn to clean things other than dishes?

Dawn is so effective in cutting grease on dishes that over the years, consumers have used Dawn on other greasy messes around their homes, from cleaning kitchen messes like grease build up on the stove range hood to oily spots in the garage. Dawn is not recommended for window cleaning, car washing, body wash or washing hair.

Bold is theirs, by the way, not mine.

One would think Dawn would happily market their product for car washing if they believed it to be 100% safe. And it may be that in many cases it can be, but not often enough for them to stand behind such a claim. On a personal note, I find it interesting that they recommend specifically against using it for window cleaning.

In any event, while Meguiar's doesn't believe there's a real need to use a dish soap to wash your vehicle, we are firm believers in using "best practices" for all aspects of car care.

Oh, and one last thing.... I checked the Woolite website and found no reference to use, yay or nay, on automotive leather.

[Black1]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

The car wont explode if you use Dawn... But you dont have to do it in most cases either.

True... I certainly would not use it every day, or in every detailing case (ie- if MY shop has done the car before and we know what was used to wax/seal it, we wouldn't need to wash with Dawn).

And if the car is just coming in for a hand-wash, we use Gold Class Wash. And I meant to say Chemical GUYS, not Chemical Brothers in my last post.... although they both rock. lol

[Murr1525]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

The car wont explode if you use Dawn... But you dont have to do it in most cases either.

[Black1]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

I'm with David on this subject.... You will find that many pro detailers use Dawn to prep/wash the vehicle before correction. That is, if they don't use a fancy citrus product like Chemical Bros.

The amount of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH, better known as Lye) in Dawn is very small... which makes it almost negligible when mixed with 2-4 gallons of water.

[scanlessfool]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

If your car hasn't been waxed in several months then odds are there isn't much wax left on the surface to begin with. Wash with a quality car wash soap and then clay it. The claying will remove the bulk of what's left, if not all of it, and any paint cleaner will speed the balance with no effort at all.

I too had read to use Dawn dish washing soap on a car. Not with the intentions of using it specifically for washing the vehicle, but for striping any wax and starting on a fresh paint base with no containments (wax, polish, etc). I will admit that it was a consideration when I would decide to finally finish the car for by myself, after reading the above response, it is absolutely unnecessary! My car is a daily driver exposed to the elements and anything that was on there before is pretty much gone and a good claying would get the job done.

[David Fermani]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

For the record and consistent with the David is saying is that I believe Woolite specifically says that their product shouldn't be used on automotive leather, but many use it without problem.

As a matter of fact, I've read people stating that Lexus & Cadillac owner's manuals recommend using a 5% wool safe detergent solution (a.k.a. Woolite) for general interior cleaning(which I don't personally practice). That's a whole nother topic all together.

Nice link jfelbab - Definately not the 1st time (or last) TOGWT has been called to clean up his regurgitation. Again, I'm sure without it coming to fruition again in this instance.

[jfelbab]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

Interesting thread from the past that may shed some light on this thread as well. I thought something looked familiar.

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5187

Seems like déjà vu.

[3Fitty]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

For the record and consistent with the David is saying is that I believe Woolite specifically says that their product shouldn't be used on automotive leather, but many use it without problem.

Having said that, I'm not a chemist, nor have a spoken to one about the subject. I know the MOL position is that Dawn is for dishes, not for cars. I have washed both of my cars (once) with Dawn and I had NO adverse effects, although I don't think there is a lot of value in my one time anecdotal evidence.

[David Fermani]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

I'm suprised that a 'detail chemist' would claim that sodium hydroxide will not harm paint trim etc. The mfg also states that it should not be used for cleaning auto paint.

If your happy using a washing up liquid for your personal vehicle that's your choice, I always advise against using household cleaning products for car care as they are formulated for very different surfaces.

With all due respect Jon, how can you claim your material as unbiased, factual, subjective and proven when it is no more than your untested opinion. Again, what source can you credit(with doumention) that substaniates your view? Just because the manufacture would never promote or endorse their product to be used in a an automotive application means zero. Case in point Woolite which is also a household cleaner and you have regularly recommended its use. For example:

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/interior-detailing/2475-leather-help.htm#post40753

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/interior-detailing/2595-hair-removal.htm#post42600

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/interior-detailing/3178-interior-cleaners.htm#post54107

http://www.detailingbliss.com/forum/detailing-school/7849-interior-detailing.htm#post115852

[TOGWT]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

I'm suprised that a 'detail chemist' would claim that sodium hydroxide will not harm paint trim etc. The mfg also states that it should not be used for cleaning auto paint.

If your happy using a washing up liquid for your personal vehicle that's your choice, I always advise against using household cleaning products for car care as they are formulated for very different surfaces.

[David Fermani]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

Washing-up Liquids (Detergent)

I would not recommend using a harsh dishwashing detergent such as Dawn® on a regular basis, as they contain a degreaser, although most of them are approx pH 8.0 the other ingredients will tend to oxidise the paint system and emulsify, breakdown and leach out oils found in rubber moulding, trim and the paint system, which causes the plasticizers to dry out and oxidize, causing them to lose their flexibility.

The MSDS indicates that this product contains sodium hydroxide, which is highly alkaline the same ingredient used in engine degreasers to chemically ‘burn’ hydrocarbon oils and grease from engine surfaces (sodium hydroxide) it will severely stain aluminium, magnesium, etc. It will emulsify, breakdown and leach out oils naturally found in your paint, and also any oils you have applied in the way of a polish or glaze.

The information in these articles is factual rather than subjective. It is not intended to be a source of opinion but rather tried and proven techniques, methodologies and facts about detailing and the chemicals and products used.

You claim that these articles are based on proof and not your opinion? Unless you are able to produce data or actual proof backing this assumption up, I say you're only giving your opinion. I've actually consulted with 2 Detail industry recognized chemical engineers and they both state that Dawn will not harm paint, trim, chrome and/or the plasticizers that may be in these items. I personally have been exclusively using/testing Dawn weekly on my personal vehicle for 1 year w/o any adverse effects so far. My car is in S. Florida, parked outside 24hrs/day and runs atleast 8 hours per day, 5 days a week. I believe someone on another forum compared the PH level of Dawn to other car wash soaps and found that they are comparable. What is your evidence/data supporting your statement?

[TOGWT]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

TOGWT, I love the informative articles you post. May I ask how one would gain access to the Detailing Technical Papers library? I had no success trying to search the internet to find it.

“The i articles “Art &Science of Detailing” is college level PhD(tailing) material that is easily understood and very informative, The information in these articles is factual rather than subjective. It is not intended to be a source of opinion but rather tried and proven techniques, methodologies and facts about detailing and the chemicals and products used. For details see - http://togwt1980.blogspot.com the series of technical papers will soon be available on iPad and the Amazon's Digital Text Platform Kindle 3.

[11sallygt]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

I haven't seen anyone mention 90% IPA (1:1 dilution with distilled water) or Mineral Spirits. I've read numerous posts that both are excellent for removing wax. They are also good during paint correction for removing cleaning compounds and removed paint before moving on to the next area to be corrected, so you are not fooled by residue that can fill up scratches and make it look corrected.

Just a pont about the before and after pictures with the wash. The two pictures have very different photographic exposures. The first is overexposed resulting in a more washed out, lighter red. The second has a more accurate exposure resulting in a richer/darker color to the paint. To realy tell the effect of the wash, the exposures need to be fairly close. That can easily be done by putting a standard reference card into each picture at the same spot, such as an 18% grey card. If the exposures are the same, the cards will look the same.

[Lookinin]

Re: People on other forums recommend using Dawn Detergent Dish Washing Soap to wash m

Excellent, detailed response, TOGWT. I've learned something new today. I always knew NOT to use dish soap on auto paints, but that explains it very clearly. Thanks.