So I been reading some of the thread mention using Dawn to remove wax. I like to get more insight on this.

- What's the mixture for Dawn/water?
- Is it safe to use on the headlight or windshield?
- Is this the same as doing a IPA wipedown?
- How often do you do this?

I'm looking at doing a 2nd attempt on my TL either this week or next week. If I remember correctly, next week mark my 2nd year of ownership. I want this car to be extremely clean like some of your detail.

 

What are you hoping to accomplish that a polish or cleaner wouldnt do anyway?
The use of Dawn for any type of car care, has always baffled me.

 

The only time I use Dawn is on a car thats pretty cruddy to remove some of the grime .. all it is is a tablespoon to the pail.

 

I'm not sure. There's always mix feeling when using Dawn at most detail forum. I'll just polish it to death then.

I dont think I seen any car that dirty. So are you saying just use it on parts that are extremely dirty and not for the entire car? I dont think a tablespoon can clean the whole car?

 

I'll use it when I want to strip off wax before a polish. I'll usually hit it with an IPA wipedown as well. Some polishes like SIP are very finicky if there's any trace of LSP on the surface. Using something like Prep sol does the trick too. I normally don't use Zaino, but I know they always recommend using Dawn to remove any LSP's from the surface.

When I'm doing a normal wash, I (currently) prefer 1Z Perls.

 

Well I do ...

 

why do you think you need to strip off the wax before you polish....polishing is going to take off the wax anyway....

 

Yeah a tablespoon is plenty. Dawn is somewhat harmless until water is added....

 

What's consider a normal wash? You really like German product, huh?

It was only a thought.

 

i know that some people have said theres a chance it may dis-color vinyl or other pastics on your car. i think for painted surface it wont do any harm, but itll be hard to keep all the soap on a specific surface.

 

You have to remember that this is being done once or twice a year not on a weekly basis and at that frequency it won't harm anything.

 

Normal wash meaning regular maintenance cleaning without polishing.

Yes, there are some great German products out there...1Z, Menzerna, P21s, etc. I'm also a big advocate of the Optimum lineup (American), as well as some of the Meguiars Mirror Glaze line (M95, M105...big hitters), and 3M Ultrafina SE is superb ($$).