Dish soap on car.

[Knockoutpie]

hey guys I've read and read to no avail. People say dish soap is bad for paint or it doesn't matter. I want to load my foam gun up but not sure if I should use dish soap or automotive soap. Really just want it as clean as possible so I can polish it and glaze/wax it.

[Nvincent4708]

Dish soap removes old wax. I'm sure others will say don't do it, but I have in order to strip old wax and such.

[1KillerSS]

It's just real harsh, some dish soap can really remove a decent amount of wax from the car if its already polished, so its good that your going to wax it after your done.

[CamaroDreams07]

Dish soap is wonderful for what you're wanting to do. What you don't want to do is use dish soap after you're done waxing,as it will degrade and remove it.

Dish soap ok for strip wash, not for regular wash.

[Knockoutpie]

Ya all I want to do is completely remove everything on the vehicle besides paint of course. Then give the whole thing a nice polish, glaze, and then a good wax.

Trying to remove all those swirl marks that the dealer didn't remove.

[1KillerSS]

Originally Posted by Knockoutpie

Ya all I want to do is completely remove everything on the vehicle besides paint of course. Then give the whole thing a nice polish, glaze, and then a good wax.

Trying to remove all those swirl marks that the dealer didn't remove.

I hate swirl marks, I can run a wheel and when I was detailing cars as a kid, I never left swirl marks. its a 3 to 4 step process with a wheel. If it were me I would take the car back and have the swirl marks taken out. That painters helper or person that detailed, didnt do their job. To be honest you will always have to have wax on it to keep from seeing the swirl marks, without wax will always be there. They need to finish that last glaze.

[Knockoutpie]

The Dealer said they polished it, TWICE! I just think they didn't do a good job or took long enough, or applied the right glaze and wax after. So I'm going to take a shot at polishing glazing and waxing. I don't think it will be difficult. I've achieved some progress in spots doing it by hand. But my porter cable is coming in on a few days and I think I'll do great then. How often is good enough to polish? How often do I want to do it a year? After every wash or a few times a year? I know it levels clear coat so I shouldn't do it too often right?

[1KillerSS]

I would only buff till its right, then just keep it clean with a clay bar when needed.

first is a rough polish heavy grit
second is a medium polish
third is a very fine grit polish
Fourth Then there is a glaze or a finesse and that's done with a sponge type pad, not wool.

After that I wax it with an orbital. That's how I did it when I ran a detail shop as a kid.

[Knockoutpie]

Can I glaze with an orbital or no?

My thoughts were polish
Glaze with no. 1 speed and then wax on 1 speed

[1KillerSS]

I am sure things have changed by now, but 17 years ago the product I used was heat activated, that's why you used the fine sponge pad. You literally glazed the clear. I would bet that you can find some products that are out today that just may help you, and an orbital is better than nothing. Couldn't hurt.

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by Knockoutpie

Can I glaze with an orbital or no?

My thoughts were polish
Glaze with no. 1 speed and then wax on 1 speed

Yes, you can. Anything you can apply by hand, you can apply with a D/A and get similar or better results.

[Knockoutpie]

Haha sorry for questions but what's a D/A?

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by Knockoutpie

Haha sorry for questions but what's a D/A?

Abbreviation for Dual Action Polisher(synonymous with Orbital Polisher), like your Porter Cable(PC).

[lbls1]

In general you should use a good quality car wash when you want to wash with soap. If you want to wash your car, then if it were me I'd wait until I can get a good car wash solution (along with the proper wash cloths, etc.) before washing the car.

Others say dish soap is good for stripping (actually you need a dedicated polish to completely strip wax), but I've never really been big on dish soap for any car wash application short of scrubbing my tires. Good luck.