DFB5.0
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Using dishwashing detergent to "strip" or remove wax has been a pet hate of mine for a long time. Those that do use it, usually do so along the lines of "I don't need to buy some fancy soap to strip wax when I can just use some cheap dish washing detergent".
This video explains why using dish wash as a stripping agent is flawed -
(From 6.25min)
So, instead of removing the wax, the detergent is actually coating it with something else, disguising the wax or sealant still remaining underneath.
This becomes an issue if you intend to apply a fresh coat of wax directly after the wash, as it will prevent the product from bonding properly with the paint. If you go on to polish the paint before reapplication, that detergent residue has the ability to impede the effectiveness of the polish compound and pad.
On the flipside, if you use a clay bar after the wash, that may remove some of the residue, likewise an IPA wipe down prior to polishing/waxing will knock some of the residue back too.
But the whole use of dish washing liquid really is counter intuitive. The whole point of the exercise is to strip or remove paint contamination and waxes. Except, you end up doing the complete opposite as dish wash by nature is designed to leave something behind. So, you end up wasting your time.
Effective Strip Washing -
Most detailing brands offer specific products for this role. Typically, these are high pH alkaline soaps, although some are on the acidic side like Carpro Descale. The concept is the same though, using a higher or lower pH increases the cleaning ability, cutting through old waxes and sealants in the process. The acidic ones can also help remove or diminish water spots.
Alkaline Soaps -
Carpro Lift -
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/carpro-lift?variant=32379093680217
NV Snow+ -
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/nv-snow-intensified-foaming-wash?variant=17821163396
Obsessed Garage Decontamination Soap -
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...ontamination-soap?_pos=3&_sid=fba722a53&_ss=r
Bilt Hamber Touch-Less -
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/bilt-hamber-touch-less-5-liter-snow-foam-pre-wash-touch-less
Adam’s Strip Wash -
https://adamspolishes.com.au/collections/exterior-liquids/products/adam-s-strip-wash-16-oz
Bowden's Mega Snow Job (mild alkaline) -
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/mega-snow-job
Alkaline Soaps can also be created by boosting your regular pH neutral soap with an All-Purpose-Cleaner, in fact Koch Chemie recommend this method by adding Green Star to GSF. The only drawback here is that you create some variability in your mixture.
Acidic Soaps -
Carpro Descale -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections/car-wash/products/carpro-descale?variant=40057466191961
Gyeon Restart -
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/gyeon-q2m-restart-reset
This video explains why using dish wash as a stripping agent is flawed -
(From 6.25min)
So, instead of removing the wax, the detergent is actually coating it with something else, disguising the wax or sealant still remaining underneath.
This becomes an issue if you intend to apply a fresh coat of wax directly after the wash, as it will prevent the product from bonding properly with the paint. If you go on to polish the paint before reapplication, that detergent residue has the ability to impede the effectiveness of the polish compound and pad.
On the flipside, if you use a clay bar after the wash, that may remove some of the residue, likewise an IPA wipe down prior to polishing/waxing will knock some of the residue back too.
But the whole use of dish washing liquid really is counter intuitive. The whole point of the exercise is to strip or remove paint contamination and waxes. Except, you end up doing the complete opposite as dish wash by nature is designed to leave something behind. So, you end up wasting your time.
Effective Strip Washing -
Most detailing brands offer specific products for this role. Typically, these are high pH alkaline soaps, although some are on the acidic side like Carpro Descale. The concept is the same though, using a higher or lower pH increases the cleaning ability, cutting through old waxes and sealants in the process. The acidic ones can also help remove or diminish water spots.
Alkaline Soaps -
Carpro Lift -
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/carpro-lift?variant=32379093680217
NV Snow+ -
https://www.waxit.com.au/products/nv-snow-intensified-foaming-wash?variant=17821163396
Obsessed Garage Decontamination Soap -
https://detailingshed.com.au/produc...ontamination-soap?_pos=3&_sid=fba722a53&_ss=r
Bilt Hamber Touch-Less -
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/bilt-hamber-touch-less-5-liter-snow-foam-pre-wash-touch-less
Adam’s Strip Wash -
https://adamspolishes.com.au/collections/exterior-liquids/products/adam-s-strip-wash-16-oz
Bowden's Mega Snow Job (mild alkaline) -
https://www.bowdensown.com.au/mega-snow-job
Alkaline Soaps can also be created by boosting your regular pH neutral soap with an All-Purpose-Cleaner, in fact Koch Chemie recommend this method by adding Green Star to GSF. The only drawback here is that you create some variability in your mixture.
Acidic Soaps -
Carpro Descale -
https://www.waxit.com.au/collections/car-wash/products/carpro-descale?variant=40057466191961
Gyeon Restart -
https://detailingshed.com.au/products/gyeon-q2m-restart-reset
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