I've read a couple of different things. Some people say to use dish soap when washing your car before a wax job to remove any old wax, and others saying that the dish soap does more harm than good. And just for an idea of how many people do use dish soap when washing their car before waxing, I've added a poll. So.... Do you use dish soap before a wax job? And why? If you don't use dish soap, what do you use?

 

depends. if you are going to clay it, there is no real need for the dish soap. If you are not, then yeah i've used dish soap before waxing.

As for a normal wash, don't use dish soap at all.

 

I personally have used dish soap before a wax job but some people claim it can cause harm to the car's clearcoat. With a normal wash, I would never think about using dish soap. But can dish soap hurt your car?

 

i could see it if it was used everytime. but once a year shouldn't do anything bad.

 

I'm not a big fan of using it. Could very well dry out your rubber trim pieces in time if used in excess.

 

i use dish soap before I wax or on cars that never get washed. They dont have any wax anyways and normal carwash soap cant get those stains off. I saw someone use tide on your white accord... but i dunno if i would ever recommend that. LMAO!

 

I've never personally used dish soap even before claying.

Usually just car wash soap / water . For claying just some simple green before hand.

So I'm not sure if it does or doesn't harm your paint.

 

Never used it, would rather not. When I wax, I clay, so no need. And too much speculation on its benefits...

 

I've only use dawn in the past to start fresh or start over..As when switching wax brands or to synth. or vice versa, or getting a buddies car to wax from scratch super clean base and then its just regular up keep..

 

Put the dish soap where it belongs, and use a real soap. There is no excuse to EVER use dish soap on your car. It doesn't completely remove waxes and most sealants, will dry out your trim and paint, and the lack of good lubrication causes scratches and swirls in the paint.

If you want to get rid of the wax/sealant, then use a paint cleaner like you are suppose to.

 

+1. Before applying a new coat of wax, I either polish or use a paint cleaner. There is no reason to ever use dish soap on your car.

If you don't want to use a paint cleaner, use a diluted solution of isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle.

 

I've always use dish soap. And I've not had any problems with it. It hasn't messed up the clear coat, nor has it scratched the paint. If I had an actual car wash solution, I would use that. But I am too lazy to go buy it, and we always have dish soap around, which we use on all our cars.

 

Don't use dish soap. Along with removing the old wax, it removes some of the oils hat are actually in your clearcoat/paint, thus accelerating oxidation of the paint. This is a common topic on the Meguiars Online forums, and it's been established that claybaring is the better choice before waxing. Not only will it remove the old wax, but it'll leave the natural oils along, as well as pull out bumpy contaminants, allowing the wax to give a MUCH better shine (flatter surface).

 

I use it once a year before waxing...the other time or two I will wax, I just put new wax on top of old. Never had any problems...

 

no, it is too harsh on the rubber and plastic on the car

 

i used to dishsoap before waxing but i dont see any difference in the job after i wax. so i wont use it anymore.