Wash your PT with water only

[KR8Z4BULEEPT]

Originally Posted by Frank's PT

Wow. Each one of those quotes says something different about it's properties. My point exactly. It's all hype. It's soap. Period. I especialy like the one about "stripping off 99% of waxes sold". Very entertaining.

Actually, there is some scientific basis to all of this. Dawn doessignificantly interact with greasy materials.....the original commercials from years ago showing how it disperses the oil in a sinkful of water is accurate. Waxes (and some polishes) are also grease-like (long chain hydrophobic hydrocarbons) in their composition, so Dawn does help in stripping off the wax off a painted surface (how much is debatible).

The bottomline (what I practice) is that if you want to clean your car well for the first time of the season, use Dawn. However once you've applied an application of wax/polish, you should use a very mild (non-"soap" ) surfactant to loosen the dirt without interacting with the wax/polish (Zaino's car wash is designed for this) Again, Dawn (or other dishwashing soaps) is only recommended for the first time when you're trying to start your wax/polish routine from scratch!

[AndyKay]

Originally Posted by KR8Z4BULEEPT

Again, Dawn (or other dishwashing soaps) is only recommended for the first time when you're trying to start your wax/polish routine from scratch!

Which is what I think most of us do for that first big clean of the spring when the bad weather finally goes away.

On the first really good (or only half way good) weekend I spend the whole weekend giving the Cruiser a wash with Dawn to strip the wax, clay bar it, wash it again with a good quality car soap and then start the polish followed by a coat of wax routine.

Does it have any effect using the Dawn? I have no idea, but I do know that it is one of those rituals of Spring, my family leaves me alone to spend some quality time with my Cruiser and I am always very pleased with the results!

[KR8Z4BULEEPT]

Originally Posted by AndyKay

Does it have any effect using the Dawn? I have no idea, but I do know that it is one of those rituals of Spring, my family leaves me alone to spend some quality time with my Cruiser and I am always very pleased with the results!

ahhhh...don't you just long for spring time when love is in the air!

[PT Frank]

Originally Posted by KR8Z4BULEEPT

Actually, there is some scientific basis to all of this. Dawn doessignificantly interact with greasy materials.....the original commercials from years ago showing how it disperses the oil in a sinful of water is accurate. Waxes (and some polishes) are also grease-like (long chain hydrophobic hydrocarbons) in their composition, so Dawn does help in stripping off the wax off a painted surface (how much is debatable).

The bottomline (what I practice) is that if you want to clean your car well for the first time of the season, use Dawn. However once you've applied an application of wax/polish, you should use a very mild (non-"soap" ) surfactant to loosen the dirt without interacting with the wax/polish (Zaino's car wash is designed for this) Again, Dawn (or other dish washing soaps) is only recommended for the first time when you're trying to start your wax/polish routine from scratch!

Agreed, and I gave credit to Dawn in a previous post regarding it's grease removing abilities. That's a given. I'm not debating it's cleaning properties, just that it's not going to remove old wax from the surface as easily as people here where lead to believe. Perhaps after multiple washes it will. One time? I hardly think so. Try it. You're car will still bead up from your wax after you use Dawn. For me, it's just another silly ploy by Zaino and these other "specialized wax" companies to lend some importance to their product. As if you really have to prep the surface before placing their all important wax on your car. I know many will disagree with me, and if your happy with your water only wash, your Dawn-wax routine, or your just wash your car with Woolite, that's fine with me.

[AndyKay]

Originally Posted by Frank's PT

or your just wash your car with Woolite, that's fine with me.

Works for me!!

WOOLITE® is a mild fabric wash created to safely and effectively care for natural and synthetic CARS. WOOLITE® will not damage washable CARS. It helps preserve the color of your CARS and keeps them looking vibrant. It also helps to keep your CAR fitting the way they were designed to fit, without causing shrinking or stretching.

(from the Woolite web site, with only a little editing from me!)

[my80volare]

Originally Posted by AndyKay

Works for me!!

WOOLITE® is a mild fabric wash created to safely and effectively care for natural and synthetic CARS. WOOLITE® will not damage washable CARS. It helps preserve the color of your CARS and keeps them looking vibrant. It also helps to keep your CAR fitting the way they were designed to fit, without causing shrinking or stretching.

(from the Woolite web site, with only a little editing from me!)

Creative editing....I love it!

[PT CHIX]

i use mothers wash, and my detailer uses meguiars, nothign wrong with my paint, or id kill my detailer

[patpur]

Frank - appreciate your suggestions on this topic. I've never had anyone say, on these forums, don't just use water. You make a good argument. I was afraid that soap would take off the wax quicker, even if that is the case there is the fact that soap lifts the dirt. That in and of itself is a plus as far as I am concerned. You sound like you know what you are talking about and I'm gonna try it your way.
Thanks,
Pat

[Sci-Fi]

Think people have things a bit mixed up here.

Any wax whether it's carnuaba based or synthetic is basically a sacrificial layer. It's not going to be there forever. The length of protection usually favors the synthetic wax. Looks are subjective, some characterize the difference as, synthetics for longevity and reflectiveness and carnuaba for depth and beauty. Why they use different terms like wax or polish is best answered by Forrest, Sal, and others. A polish to me is a product that is, in varying degrees, an abrasive.

Dawn wash can remove any previous wax, including compromising/removing your "Zaino layers". It's not a product you want to use on a regular basis. Using a car specific shampoo is your best and safest way to wash your car. How does one determine if the shampoo is removing wax or if the wax has just worn away anyhow? Isn't water considered a solvent? Some car shampoos, like Meguiar's Gold Class, tout "sheeting action" to lessen the chance of water spotting. Does that mean, since you don't see the water beading when you rinse your car that the wax protection is no longer there or because the shampoo you are using is doing what it says it will (sheeting the water away)? In any case, longevity of any wax will be determined on where you live and the conditions your car is subjected to. If you have any doubts, just wax your car after washing. A lot of waxes today are very easy to use and don't take that much time to apply and buff off.

[PT Frank]

Originally Posted by patpur

Frank - appreciate your suggestions on this topic. I've never had anyone say, on these forums, don't just use water. You make a good argument. I was afraid that soap would take off the wax quicker, even if that is the case there is the fact that soap lifts the dirt. That in and of itself is a plus as far as I am concerned. You sound like you know what you are talking about and I'm gonna try it your way.
Thanks,
Pat

Thank you, Pat. I'm certainly no expert here. And believe me, I'm as anal as the rest of us when it comes to taking care of my PT. Get yourself a good car wash product like Maguires, Mothers (and others) that's easier on the wax. Personally, I use Zip-Wax car wash @ $5.00 a gallon at Walmart. Works for me - nice and shiny and no scratches too!