Dawn before Clay?

[RN89]

About to clay our Altima with Meguiars clay kit (when this weather clears up). I have searched and searched and cannot get even a general consensus as to whether or not to use Dawn dish soap before the clay process??

Is it necessary? Will it harm the paint or dry out any seals on the car?

Thanks in advance!

Note: Will follow with Meguiars Ultimate Polish and Ultimate Quik Wax...sound good?

 

[cashmoney]

The car should be freshly washed before using a clay bar. Dawn would certainly strip off any wax on the car but I'm not sure it is necessary. I have successfully clay barred cars after washing with just my normal car wash liquid soap - normally turtle wax car wash liquid product.

 

[daves87rs]

Honestly, I'd be worried about Dawn on the clearcoat...

 

[SLCraig]

I just clay barred my car after washing with my regular carwash soap and it came out fantastic.

 

[FastEddie]

If you want to use Dawn, use it. It will not hurt your clearcoat one bit. And you would have to do a heck of a lot of dawn washes before you "might" see any drying out of any seals and such.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: cashmoney
The car should be freshly washed before using a clay bar. Dawn would certainly strip off any wax on the car but I'm not sure it is necessary. I have successfully clay barred cars after washing with just my normal car wash liquid soap - normally turtle wax car wash liquid product.

You can use Dawn without any concerns, but if you are trying to remove a sealant, Dawn will not strip the surface completely on the first wash. It may take a few washes.

Just get the car fairly clean before claying. Lots of lube is a good idea.

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Honestly, I'd be worried about Dawn on the clearcoat...



It's fine as long as you don't make a habit of it. Automotive paint is quite resilient.

 

[demarpaint]

Dawn is fine before clay. Dawn removes wax, as does clay, but IMO a combo of the two is best. Just don't make Dawn your go to car soap, use it only before clay, or to strip wax.

 

[kkreit01]

I've never used Dawn. The clay will remove whatever Dawn will. However, it may be cheaper than carwash soap, so there's probably no harm as long as you seal or wax immediately after claying. I'm unsure how harsh dawn is on rubber or black plastics?

 

[SatinSilver]

Zaino recommends using Dawn prior to using one of their sealants. I was skeptical at first. But after using it, I'm sold. Works great at cutting through all the muck. Especially on the sides of the car, Wow!

 

[RN89]

So I went ahead and just used regular car wash soap (Meg Gold Class) and then clayed (followed by a polish and wax).

One word: Wow.

I couldn't believe the difference in the paint shine, clarity, and smooth feeling after claying. I could tell there was a bunch of [censored] on the paint before as it was rough feeling and sounding, probably because my wifes drives all over Houston every day. But man what a difference! The car looks as good as the day we picked up it 54k miles ago!

 

[jimbrewer]

Ford says not to use dishwashing soap. I suspect its OK once or twice a year, but they say not to do it.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: kkreit01
I've never used Dawn. The clay will remove whatever Dawn will. However, it may be cheaper than carwash soap, so there's probably no harm as long as you seal or wax immediately after claying. I'm unsure how harsh dawn is on rubber or black plastics?

Clay does not remove all traces of a sealant or wax. I clay (or nanoskin) every car I seal and the water still beads after this step. The only way to completely remove the sealant or wax is to use Optimum Power Clean (or equivalent APC), or some sort of paint cleaner product.