White95Max
New member
I've always heard (on other sites) that Dawn is good for removing wax. Some other people say to never use Dawn. What's the deal? What do you use to strip wax instead?
What's the deal with Dawn?
- Thread starter White95Max
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Accumulator
Well-known member
People oppose the use of Dawn for automotive applications due to concerns about it drying out rubber and even the paint itself. You'll have to decide if you're worried about that or not. I've never seen evidence of it doing any damage and some automotive cleaners (the "A" in ABC is a perfect example) are a lot harsher than Dawn. But none of these "extreme cleaners" should be used on a regular basis. FWIW, I *very* seldom use Dawn to wash vehciles, virtually never (only beaters/loaners/rentals that I'm just playing/experimenting with, gonna polish anyhow, and don't really care about). I do use it to clean my pads, however.
Dawn's ability to strip wax is over-rated; it won't dent a fresh coat of #16, that's certain.
I'd remove wax with either a water/rubbing alcohol mix or a dedicated wax remover such as PrepSol, Griot's Paint Prep, PreKleano, etc. These will also remove sealants, which Dawn won't do *anything* to.
I've found that *sometimes* polishing through LSPs can lead to tenacious residues. Using PI-III MG on KSG is a perfect example. Removing at least some of the SG first makes for *much* easier MG-residue removal.
Dawn's ability to strip wax is over-rated; it won't dent a fresh coat of #16, that's certain.
I'd remove wax with either a water/rubbing alcohol mix or a dedicated wax remover such as PrepSol, Griot's Paint Prep, PreKleano, etc. These will also remove sealants, which Dawn won't do *anything* to.
I've found that *sometimes* polishing through LSPs can lead to tenacious residues. Using PI-III MG on KSG is a perfect example. Removing at least some of the SG first makes for *much* easier MG-residue removal.
Bill D
Hooked For Life
I'm reserving Dawn now only to occasionally clean pads with.
General Lee
New member
Bill D said:
Thats what I do, however after my last wash of the pads I noticed the velcro backing on my twice used yellow pad is starting to seperate. I'm wondering if the dawn is breaking down the glue:nixweiss
DETAILKING
New member
This discussion always cracks me up......
"...dawn is too harsh to use, and in addition it won't even strip some products, so I'll just grab something stronger (harsher) that will do the job............"
"...dawn is too harsh to use, and in addition it won't even strip some products, so I'll just grab something stronger (harsher) that will do the job............"
imported_memnuts
New member
DETAILKING said:
LOL
groebuck
New member
I think it does break down the glue I just lost a Meg's tan soft buff to a soak in water and Dawn..;(
Normally I just apply the dawn or Murph's Oil Soap to the surface of the pad and hand rub the product out then rinse and spin dry -
this time I dropped some in a bucket with water and Dawn - I rinsed and spin dried and all was fine, but after use when I went to pull the tan pad off ..it came off but the backing stayed put
Normally I just apply the dawn or Murph's Oil Soap to the surface of the pad and hand rub the product out then rinse and spin dry -
this time I dropped some in a bucket with water and Dawn - I rinsed and spin dried and all was fine, but after use when I went to pull the tan pad off ..it came off but the backing stayed put
All dish detergents contain degreasers that if they don't strip the wax, they will certainly diminish it greatly. Dish detergent is not good for your paint either if you use it regularly. Once in a while is fine, but honestly, I don't see any reason to use dish detergent to strip wax when claying and polishing will do it and move the detailing process forward.
topnotchtouch
New member
I recall recently a thread about this and Ph was brought up mentioning that Dawn was around 8. One thing I noticed on Procter & Gamble's website is that they mention a Ph of ~8 for a 1% solution. Maybe I am missing something but, to me that indicates a mixture where Dawn only makes up 1%. Would that indicate that the Ph of Dawn by itself would be higher????
Here is the link.
http://www.pg.com/content/pdf/01_ab...ecare/dishwashing_products/Dawn_Ivory_Joy.pdf
Here is the link.
http://www.pg.com/content/pdf/01_ab...ecare/dishwashing_products/Dawn_Ivory_Joy.pdf
Woob
New member
Hmmm more of the Velcro/Wash dilema. Might just go with the Edge2000 system. No velcro! Lots of features. I would suggest PreWash by HiTemp since it can take of sealants and clean pads, pad cleaning machines, and take residues off between compound steps. :up
lino said:
Because it's an effective and lubricative degreaser that smells nice. When diluted, it works well on neglected cars covered with bugs and tar, and when used full strength, it's no more harmful than an automotive bug and tar remover. It's a very versatile product that's friendly on the wallet, too. I've used Dawn many times on my own cars with no adverse effects...
... if results are what we're after.
Mr. Chemist
New member
I'm with lino....car care companies have spent a lot of R&D time to develope products that work on the types of soils associated with the automotive environment. And, if you want to remove wax...why not use a pre wax cleaner...that's what they are designed to do..prepare your paint for the next step...whatever your choice may be...synthetic or natural.
Antonio Wright
New member
DETAILKING said:
What I do find funny is that people STILL use a product that even manufacture says it is not safe to do so.
imported_memnuts
New member
Antonio Wright said:
What I find very interesting is that the majority of vehicles owners use products like Dawn, Joy, etc as their normal vehicle wash. Their paint may not meet Autopian standards, but neither is it falling off , their side mounting discolored or rubber molding cracking into volcanized rubber.
Maybe the joke is on us.
Mr. Chemist
New member
Well, I'm thinkin for the guy who feels compelled to wash 4 months of grime of of his car and wax it once a year or so....he's going to reach underneath the sink and pull out the..oh Joy, or it will Dawn on him that his car looks terrible.
Then he'll buy the cheapest wax at the grocery store...do the deed....stand back and call it good for a year or so.
But yes, for those of us who know that automotive soils are different than pork chop grease...and that money spent on a good quaiity wax is money well spent...well...we are just not going to confuse the kitchen with the garage.
Face it...that guy looks at his car and says..good enough...and you guys look at your car and say...what do I do next.
Then he'll buy the cheapest wax at the grocery store...do the deed....stand back and call it good for a year or so.
But yes, for those of us who know that automotive soils are different than pork chop grease...and that money spent on a good quaiity wax is money well spent...well...we are just not going to confuse the kitchen with the garage.
Face it...that guy looks at his car and says..good enough...and you guys look at your car and say...what do I do next.
imported_memnuts
New member
Mr. Chemist said:
Exactly!!! That is why even when we the proper and finest products we still seek a higher level. That is the joy of this hobby/vocation and also its frustration.:xyxthumbs
Accumulator
Well-known member
Mr. Chemist said:
Heh heh heh, you guys...
:xyxthumbsIMO will all the extreme stuff we Autopians do for/to our vehicles, if some of us want to use Dawn/alcohol/whatever I doubt it's gonna do anything detrimental. Do I do it? Nah, not often, at least. But all this :nono :argue about it seems needlessly contentious. Gee, I'm sure getting all touchy-feely sensitive, huh?
