Does it have to be 'Dawn?'

T

tarthut57

New member
The first step I see in a number of paint prep processes calls for a Dawn wash. Can I use any dishwashing detergent or do I literally have to use Dawn?
 
The reason that everyone says to use dawn is because it hads a high alkaline content. You could use any Dishwashing soap, I use dawn in the original formula, I dont need any scents or anti-bacterial crap:)
 
Redcar --



My paint smells like an english garden after a Dawn wash... I use the "fresh flowers" scent lol. Oh, and you really do need to kill those germs before applying a sealant, you wouldnt want to trap them under there.

:xyxthumbs



enough with the corny jokes. :D
 
in reality, if you just clay the car, then use a polish(smr, #9, use the least abrasive depending on paint condition) youll be better off doing that then using dawn. The only reason i haven't used dawn is bc i feel safer using a car shampoo then doing my claying and polishing than dawn.
 
You also want to use a soap that doesn't have any of those hand lotions in it. That isn't helpful on your car. Just get the normal dish soap. Dawn is good because its pretty strong stuff. When you get into these other kinds, they tend to put moisterizers for your hands and stuff in em.
 
I would use dawn or a paint cleanser like pinnacle or P21S. You don't want to use abrasives on car that doesn't need them!



AS others have said, stay away from dish detergents with additives like hand softeners. This can leave a film on the paint.
 
Hi

Soaps all contain salt which is used to thicken the Sodium Laural Sulphate in all Dishwashing Soaps.

I think your mad to use it at all.

Ferret

aka Industrial chemist
 
Ferret said:
Hi

Soaps all contain salt which is used to thicken the Sodium Laural Sulphate in all Dishwashing Soaps.

I think your mad to use it at all.

Ferret

aka Industrial chemist
Click to expand...



Actually, I thought Sodium Laureth Sulfate (& its cousin Ammonium Laureth Sulfate) was one component of a soap's sudsing agents. Am I wrong? This stuff is used in just about anything that creates suds... toothpaste, shampoo, bar soap..etc.
 
Ferret said:
Hi

Soaps all contain salt which is used to thicken the Sodium Laural Sulphate in all Dishwashing Soaps.

I think your mad to use it at all.

Ferret

aka Industrial chemist
Click to expand...

Alas, we have a chemist to answer our chemical, molecular questions.:D

I suppose that SLS is a detergent with laurealsulphate as an active anionic agent? It would be too harsh for the finish then.

Ever only used SDS (forgotten its full name) as a generic detergent to separate protein molecules in biochemistry lab.
 
Ferret said:
Hi

Soaps all contain salt which is used to thicken the Sodium Laural Sulphate in all Dishwashing Soaps.

I think your mad to use it at all.

Ferret

aka Industrial chemist
Click to expand...



That's why we try to use it as little as possible.
 
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