Dawn Dish Soap washing?? good or bad

**AudiTTman** · 02-21-2009, 11:09 AM

Title says it all hahah. I wanted to wash my car, but i wanted tons of lubrication in my soap if i did. Would Dawn Dish Soap ruined my cars paint. I heard that a long time ago but i think i may have just heard it from the wrong person. I have a really hard clear coat if that helps out lol

**OGauge4Me** · 02-21-2009, 11:20 AM

I would only use Dawn as the first step to get a car ready for the claybar. I would also assume that you will be doing a full polish and protect on the paint as well.

**AudiTTman** · 02-21-2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by OGauge4Me

I would only use Dawn as the first step to get a car ready for the claybar. I would also assume that you will be doing a full polish and protect on the paint as well.

Ohhh yes!! Full deal! Now what would you say if it were just the wash by itself. Is that not a good idea?

**ScottB** · 02-21-2009, 11:30 AM

I dont see the need for Dawn in car care period !!!

Dawn is highly alkaline and can work against the rubber surrounds and weatherstripping over time with extended use and long sit times. While Dawn might remove "all" previous layers of a wax (can anyone prove it) it has not been shown to remove "all" layers of a paint sealant.

If you are polishing any vehicle you are abrading the surface. This motion will remove any old waxes, sealants , or contamiments anyways.

Clay is designed to be used with a well lubricated soap or quick detailer type product, and using dishwashing soap will likely damage or break down the clay bar quicker. Use the manufacturer directions for best use.

So in car care, using a car wash specific or PH balanced to its job is still the best advice.

**Dwayne** · 02-21-2009, 11:40 AM

Even the Dawn website says that their product is not recommended for washing cars.

Question and Tips

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.

On a personal note, I do recommend Dawn for washing dishes. It's great!

**OGauge4Me** · 02-21-2009, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by killrwheels@autogeek

I dont see the need for Dawn in car care period !!!

Dawn is highly alkaline and can work against the rubber surrounds and weatherstripping over time with extended use and long sit times. While Dawn might remove "all" previous layers of a wax (can anyone prove it) it has not been shown to remove "all" layers of a paint sealant.

Which is why I stopped using Dawn a few years back. Nice post.

**AudiTTman** · 02-21-2009, 01:28 PM

hahahah well thank you guys very much. Luckily i had never tried it on my vehicle, but its good to know all that info. Preciate it fella's

**orionz06** · 02-21-2009, 05:43 PM

dawn will kill the clay bar... ive tried it for use as a clay lube to acclerate the wax removal... i was young and stupid, and short a clay bar...

i find the alcohol wipe to be better at ensuring all the lsp os gone, and it leaves imho a cleaner surface to begin polishing... and then ill alcohol wipe after each step... leave the dawn in the kitchen

**akimel** · 02-21-2009, 05:50 PM

Do a search for "Dawn" over at the Autopia site. There must be a zillion threads discussing it. Controversial and much discussed subject.

**Surfer** · 02-21-2009, 06:48 PM

As Scott said it won't do anything to the paint, it can affect rubber seals, weatherstripping, plastic etc. And I did a test once to see just how strong it would be on paint, I used some dawn and washed one area twice that had Natty's Blue. Didn't do anything, area still beaded like before. So its not going to really strip anything.

Stick with a good wash, and qd'er/clay.