The Dawn Wash (let's be a little more clear)

[Zet]

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Well, as usual, here and in the thread that BlkZ28Conv linked, and every other Dawn thread, this has been beaten to death, and if anything, serves to reinforce that the marketing guys really DO have a real job, since they have people convinced that a detergent with the same ingredients is good for one application but not another, that the same MF towel in a different color is a different towel, and that a Mercury is really a different car than a Ford.

Hey, but that Charlie's Soap "cleans everything from false teeth to diesel engines!" It must be made from some special stuff that the big chemical companies can't duplicate...or is it just that they are using the reverse marketing tactic, suggesting you buy one product for everything instead of an individual product for each use...hmmm....the world is full of mysteries...

So P&G saying not to use their product for washing cars is actually marketing Hm, I don't remember them saying use this P&G product instead...

And if you cared to read what people were posting you would have noticed that it is not the same ingredients, see post above.

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Zet

You fail to notice that many here is asking WHY to do the wash with Dawn...

..Sure it's cheap, but this being Autopia I wouldn't think the goal were to try and find the cheapest way to clean our cars...

Heh heh, ask DavidB why he tested his new LSP with Dawn washes instead of super-strong car shampoo washes

[t0pher]

Originally Posted by pogo123

From Proctor and Gamble's web site:

"Question
Can I wash my car with dishwashing detergent?
Answer
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."

When the manufacturer of the product says "don't do it" then you probably shouldn't do it.

P&G's responses are based on protecting the company from any potential "harm" caused by "misuse" of the product.

Originally Posted by Zet

If you re-read this bit from Procter & Gamble: "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". You will notice that P&G are saying that Dawn isn't designed for the kind of dirt that gets on cars, it is designed to remove food soils. Anyone struggling with food soils before a detail

Chemically, food soils and bird soils are the same. Food grease and road oil/grime are pretty close as well.

Also, most of the hand-softning additives mentioned in the formula changes previously are not in original blue dawn.

As for me, I subscribe to the Zaino cult and do a Dawn wash 2x a year as part of the "routine" before clay/polish. I have done this on 5 cars for the past 10 years and have never had a problem. I do notice a difference from regular shampoos in that the surface feels like there is less on it (wax/oil). And I have never had a shampoo that bubbles more than Dawn (not something I look for - but mentioned early on in this thread.)

To answer the original poster's questions -

1. I find that dawn is harsher and does take more junk off the paint than most shampoos. I also don't have to order it online or get it at a specialty shop - I get mine at Acme.

2. Haven't tried anything else - most dishwashing detergents have a lot of scents and softners in them. Good old original blue has the least amount of these "doesn't help your car" ingredients that I am aware of.

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally Posted by Zet

... Dawn contains additives that replenish oils in the skin, and a kind of wax to help sheet water from dishes, why would you wan't to add those additives and conditioners to the surface of the car?

Oh yeah, that's right, car washes don't have additives or sheeting agents in them...

From the Meg's GC blurb: "...designed to both wash and condition paint in one easy step. The premium formula gently foams away tough dirt, road grime and contaminants without compromising wax protection. Ultra rich paint conditioners clear away debris..."

From #62: "...formula contains conditioning agents and paint nutrients to provide sparkling streak-free results."

From the DP Xtreme Foam Formula bottle: "...packed with lubricating oils...The clean-rinsing formula..."

(italics mine)

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally Posted by Zet

So P&G saying not to use their product for washing cars is actually marketing Hm, I don't remember them saying use this P&G product instead...

It's amazing how companies waste money on all those big-shot executives and huge marketing/PR departments, because it's obvious from your statement that consumers can't be influenced by advertising or the like...

[mongo]

When yuo use dawn as a prep just don't wahs the trim with it sure some will get on it but not in same concentration.
I am goin to use dawn as a prep next week or so when I recieve my order of stuff.
1oz. of dawn to two oz of water makes an effective cleaning solution.

[a.k.a. Patrick]

You know, it's just funny to worry about washing a finish with a detergent once in a while or just one time. After all, it's not acid.

Then I guess you would certainly not mind waxing with Turtle Wax twice a year?!
LMAO

[DETAILKING]

This topic has been beaten to death so many times I refuse to even comment. You can search for my comments on it in past threads and this is from a chemical engineer's prospective....

Some food for thought.......many of you use products that are much "harsher" on your paint than a high alkyline detergent and don't seem worried about that. People use bug and tar remover, degreaser, adhesive remover, wd40, various hi solvent waxes and polishes and all that stuff contains highly volatile solvents and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as kerosene, mineral spirits, and more.

Even some wheel cleaners have a higher pH than dawn and they are used on clearcoated (painted) wheels which have the same treatment your car gets...........

[blkZ28Conv]

Originally Posted by DETAILKING

This topic has been beaten to death so many times I refuse to even comment. You can search for my comments on it in past threads and this is from a chemical engineer's prospective....

Even some wheel cleaners have a higher pH than dawn and they are used on clearcoated (painted) wheels which have the same treatment your car gets...........

As usual DK, excellent observation.

[a.k.a. Patrick]

Originally Posted by blkZ28Conv

As usual DK, excellent observation.

Agreed Edwin, but I still find posts' where folks insist on washing with dawn as part of a normal detailing ritual. I dont care if people have issues with real filthy paint contamination, and they want to get it clean prior to claying and polishing, my point is directed at those who think it should be used becauase "thats normal".....
But for the casual enthusiasts, who is going through the effort and labor to polish or clean the paint on an already "Autopianized" surface, Dawn just doesnt make sense to me.
And as the above referenced comment from Procter Gamble not recommending the use of Dawn for use on auto's, may have more to do with harm and liability?

Chemically, food soils and bird soils are the same.

DISAGREED........
I would much rather confront food soil, then bird soil......

[ret]

Dawn has been approved for use on baby ducks.


For more than two decades, animal rescue groups have chosen Dawn to clean aquatic birds affected by oil spills, because Dawn is effective at cleaning and removing oil while being gentle to birds' feathers and delicate skin.


http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/news/save-a-duck-0802.html

[Deanski]

Originally Posted by DETAILKING

This topic has been beaten to death so many times I refuse to even comment. You can search for my comments on it in past threads and this is from a chemical engineer's prospective....

Some food for thought.......many of you use products that are much "harsher" on your paint than a high alkyline detergent and don't seem worried about that. People use bug and tar remover, degreaser, adhesive remover, wd40, various hi solvent waxes and polishes and all that stuff contains highly volatile solvents and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as kerosene, mineral spirits, and more.

Even some wheel cleaners have a higher pH than dawn and they are used on clearcoated (painted) wheels which have the same treatment your car gets...........

DING DING DING!!!!! Give that man a cigar!

For normal washing, use whatever you normally use. To strip heavy oilly dirt, wax etc... Dawn is cheaper than APC+ (which I also use) and does a fair job. BIG DEAL!

How many have used tar removers, Naptha (which is in quite a few polishes) acid cleaners or at least wheel cleaners.

Yea, sure..... right after I "Dawn wash" I just throw on some "Turtle Wax" or Nu Finish.

Stop whining it's giving me a headache!

Now go and see BEER LEAGUE! You all need a laugh!

Regards,
Deanski