Memphis Senior Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I know this is a no, no. I was on another forum where a young man asked about the proper way to wash/wax his truck. This is a DD that I got the impression was regularly taken offroading. Several people told him to clay the truck before waxing. Then a few others suggested he wash the truck with "dish soap" to remove the old wax before claying. I'm still new to all this and learning. So my question is. Good idea? Bad idea? Doesn't matter. WHY? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Bill-V8V Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 You can use original formula Dawn to take off the old wax just don't use it often. But a better way is a 50/50 mix of IPA and distilled water. Wipe it down with that then clay and polish. New vehicles really need a good claying right off the truck :2thumbs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 milehighSSroller Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Im claying my Camaro as soon as I get it home tomorrow. 1,200 miles on a rail car, then on the back of a truck for another 50. Fallout central!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 GerryC Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Some people like to use Dawn dish soap to prep their car for a detail, as the degreasing agents in the soap will strip off any old wax and leave you with a clean surface to start claying with. The downside is the Dawn is bad for trim. Others will use a 50/50 mix of water and Iso Alcohol. Claying will also remove old wax, but the downside is if the car needs to be clayed, you'll probably have to do it twice - once to remove the wax, and then again to remove the contaminants that were trapped below the wax. A polish like Revive Polish will also remove wax, but, like claying, it's already halfway into the detail process and you'll end up doing it twice, once to remove the wax and again after claying/correcting to enhance the depth of your paint. Out of these, I'd recommend using Dawn or the water/alc mix, since washing is the first step anyway you won't be using up extra product or extra time. Just be careful of the plastic trim (tape it off with painters tape if you want to), do it in the shade. After a wash with Dawn I'd come behind that with a wash with Adam's soap just in case any Dawn has dried on the car. After that you should have a very clean surface to do any claying, paint correcting, or waxing that you'd like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Superdutytd Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 What I like to do is to use Dawn with a bit of No Rinse Wash solutions added in to give it a bit of extra lube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Memphis Senior Posted August 3, 2009 Author Share Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks for the fast reply Bill. Now I'm about to show my ignorance. What is IPA? Is it an Adam's product? As I said I'm still new and learning. So I don't know all the abbreviations yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Superdutytd Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks for the fast reply Bill. Now I'm about to show my ignorance. What is IPA? Is it an Adam's product? As I said I'm still new and learning. So I don't know all the abbreviations yet. I beleive IPA stands for Isopropyl Alcohol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 11chevz71 Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 What everybody said above is good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Baron_Von_Awesome Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Dawn is an alkaline solution (lubricity isn't the issue), so washing with it is generally a bad idea. If you do decide to use it just be sure to follow up with Adam's Car Wash, as it will help neutralize the alkaline solution and reduce the risk of long term damage to your paint work and trim. Adam's APC in the foam gun would be the fastest and safest way to remove any wax or sealant on your finish. The alcohol wipe down would work too...but only on a car that's already clean...which means you'd have already washed it...which means you just created the twice the work for yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 _RS_ Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 I beleive IPA stands for Isopropyl Alcohol? Oh good, not India Pale Ale then... didn't think beer would work very well I've never done this before, or used it after polishing, another bit of education under the belt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 jjwvette Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Claying the car will remove the old wax....no need to use dawn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Bill-V8V Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 Oh good, not India Pale Ale then... didn't think beer would work very well I've never done this before, or used it after polishing, another bit of education under the belt! The beer goes inside the detailer :2thumbs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Chewy Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I put the beer in my foaming gun... Dang! I knew I was doing something wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Superdutytd Posted August 19, 2009 Share Posted August 19, 2009 I put the beer in my foaming gun... Dang! I knew I was doing something wrong! Now that would foam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 mcss383 Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 If using APC through the foam gun, should it be set to its lowest concentration? Then do you just spray it on and then go over it with your usual soapy wash? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Bert Posted August 20, 2009 Share Posted August 20, 2009 When I am getting ready the detail a car and I want to remove all of the old wax/sealant/road grime/etc., instead of Dawn, I will use a strong concentration of a citrus wash which is just a pure wash, it has no conditioners or anything in it so all you have is a really clean surface to start claying. There are a few companies which made such a wash. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 comp Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 When I am getting ready the detail a car and I want to remove all of the old wax/sealant/road grime/etc., instead of Dawn, I will use a strong concentration of a citrus wash which is just a pure wash, it has no conditioners or anything in it so all you have is a really clean surface to start claying. There are a few companies which made such a wash. how does it work on cars that are parked under tree's for long periods ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Superdutytd Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 how does it work on cars that are parked under tree's for long periods ?? You mean like removing sap? Removing sap is really tough and usually requires something like goof off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 comp Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 You mean like removing sap? Removing sap is really tough and usually requires something like goof off. sap and a mold looking stuff,,, it sticks to rain-x on glass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Bill-V8V Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 sap and a mold looking stuff,,, it sticks to rain-x on glass Lets see a picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 comp Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Lets see a picture i'll have to get the wife to do that lol lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Superdutytd Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 BTW you can also Clay windows, and it works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Bert Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 how does it work on cars that are parked under tree's for long periods ?? It would do a so-so job on sap that has baked into the paint but that would probably require a strong concentration of APC or maybe even a degreaser or claying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0 Chris@Adams Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 BTW you can also Clay windows, and it works great! Always clay your glass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Question
Memphis Senior
I know this is a no, no.
I was on another forum where a young man asked about the proper way to wash/wax his truck.
This is a DD that I got the impression was regularly taken offroading.
Several people told him to clay the truck before waxing.
Then a few others suggested he wash the truck with "dish soap" to remove the old wax before claying.
I'm still new to all this and learning. So my question is. Good idea? Bad idea? Doesn't matter. WHY?
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23 answers to this question
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