10 Things You Didn’t Know About Using Washing Up Liquid on Your Car

The idea of washing your car with washing up liquid might sound like a good idea and a money saving plan. Anyway, it is a great cleaner for dishes, so why not use it for a car? However, washing up liquid is not as car-friendly as one might have thought. Before you grab that bottle here are 10 things that you should know.


1. Washing Up Liquid Strips Away Wax

Another disadvantage of washing up liquid is that it removes the wax layer from your car paint when rinsing the car. Car wax creates a shield over your paint and protects it from weather, dirt and ultraviolet radiation. If not, your car paint is left open and can easily be damaged by various factors in the environment.

2. It Can Damage the Paint Over Time

Washing up liquid has strong degreasers which over time will cut into the surface of your car and strip off the paint. These chemicals are too abrasive for the fine surface of automotive paints and may cause your car to look hazy or bleached when washed with them.

3. Leaves Streaks and Residue

Washing up liquid is not like the car shampoo which is made specifically for the washing of cars. This can lead to streaks and residues on the surface of your car especially if you do not rinse well. Car shampoos are wash off products that do not leave any residue behind and give the car a shiny look.

4. Potential to Dry Out Rubber and Plastic Parts

This washing up liquid can be very abrasive to rubber and plastic trims around your car. The powerful detergents can dissolve the oils in rubber and plastic and make these materials dry, crack or fade.

5. It’s Not Designed for Car Paint

Washing up liquid is made to remove food and grease on utensils and dishes not for safe removal of car paint. Car paint and clear coats can only be washed with mild products that will not harm or fade the paint. Car shampoo on the other hand is formulated for this reason.

6. Increases Risk of Oxidation

Since washing up liquid removes layers of protection on the paint of your car, it increases the chances of oxidation. Rusting is a process in which the paint work starts to fade and the car looks dull and has a chalky appearance. This effect can be hastened by the regular use of washing up liquid.

7. Can Lead to Paint Scratches

Car washing up liquid does not possess the same slippery feeling as car shampoo. When washing with a product that does not contain a lubricant there are increased chances of the dirt scratching your paint when wiping or scrubbing, thus causing tiny abrasions that compound themselves over time.

8. Affects Car Shine and Gloss

Washing up liquid removes the wax and any protective polish on your car and therefore makes the surface appear less shiny. On the other hand, car shampoos are formulated to increase the shine and richness of the color and give your car a professional wash.

9. May Damage Paint Sealants

If you have applied a paint sealant to your car, using washing up liquid will reduce the effectiveness of your paint sealant. Paint sealants are designed to protect the paint of your car, but the harsh chemicals found in washing up liquid can strip the paint sealants leaving them less effective and long-lasting.

10. Can Be Costly in the Long Run

Although using washing up liquid may be cheaper in the short run, the costs of repair, repainting, and replacement of damaged rubber or plastic parts are very costly. Purchasing a good car shampoo and other car care products will in the long run save you more money since your car will not be ruined.


So, Should You Use Washing Up Liquid on Your Car?

Although using washing up liquid may be cheaper in the short run, the costs of repair, repainting, and replacement of damaged rubber or plastic parts are very costly. Purchasing a good car shampoo and other car care products will in the long run save you more money since your car will not be ruined.10 Things You Didn’t Know About Using Washing Up Liquid on Your Car

The idea of washing your car with washing up liquid might sound like a good idea and a money saving plan. Anyway, it is a great cleaner for dishes, so why not use it for a car? However, washing up liquid is not as car-friendly as one might have thought. Before you grab that bottle here are 10 things that you should know.


1. Washing Up Liquid Strips Away Wax

Another disadvantage of washing up liquid is that it removes the wax layer from your car paint when rinsing the car. Car wax creates a shield over your paint and protects it from weather, dirt and ultraviolet radiation. If not, your car paint is left open and can easily be damaged by various factors in the environment.

2. It Can Damage the Paint Over Time

Washing up liquid has strong degreasers which over time will cut into the surface of your car and strip off the paint. These chemicals are too abrasive for the fine surface of automotive paints and may cause your car to look hazy or bleached when washed with them.

3. Leaves Streaks and Residue

Washing up liquid is not like the car shampoo which is made specifically for the washing of cars. This can lead to streaks and residues on the surface of your car especially if you do not rinse well. Car shampoos are wash off products that do not leave any residue behind and give the car a shiny look.

4. Potential to Dry Out Rubber and Plastic Parts

This washing up liquid can be very abrasive to rubber and plastic trims around your car. The powerful detergents can dissolve the oils in rubber and plastic and make these materials dry, crack or fade.

5. It’s Not Designed for Car Paint

Washing up liquid is made to remove food and grease on utensils and dishes not for safe removal of car paint. Car paint and clear coats can only be washed with mild products that will not harm or fade the paint. Car shampoo on the other hand is formulated for this reason.

6. Increases Risk of Oxidation

Since washing up liquid removes layers of protection on the paint of your car, it increases the chances of oxidation. Rusting is a process in which the paint work starts to fade and the car looks dull and has a chalky appearance. This effect can be hastened by the regular use of washing up liquid.

7. Can Lead to Paint Scratches

Car washing up liquid does not possess the same slippery feeling as car shampoo. When washing with a product that does not contain a lubricant there are increased chances of the dirt scratching your paint when wiping or scrubbing, thus causing tiny abrasions that compound themselves over time.

8. Affects Car Shine and Gloss

Washing up liquid removes the wax and any protective polish on your car and therefore makes the surface appear less shiny. On the other hand, car shampoos are formulated to increase the shine and richness of the color and give your car a professional wash.

9. May Damage Paint Sealants

If you have applied a paint sealant to your car, using washing up liquid will reduce the effectiveness of your paint sealant. Paint sealants are designed to protect the paint of your car, but the harsh chemicals found in washing up liquid can strip the paint sealants leaving them less effective and long-lasting.

10. Can Be Costly in the Long Run

Although using washing up liquid may be cheaper in the short run, the costs of repair, repainting, and replacement of damaged rubber or plastic parts are very costly. Purchasing a good car shampoo and other car care products will in the long run save you more money since your car will not be ruined.


So, Should You Use Washing Up Liquid on Your Car?

Although using washing up liquid may be cheaper in the short run, the costs of repair, repainting, and replacement of damaged rubber or plastic parts are very costly. Purchasing a good car shampoo and other car care products will in the long run save you more money since your car will not be ruined.The idea of washing your car with washing up liquid might sound like a good idea and a money saving plan. Anyway, it is a great cleaner for dishes, so why not use it for a car? However, washing up liquid is not as car-friendly as one might have thought. Before you grab that bottle here are 10 things that you should know.


1. Washing Up Liquid Strips Away Wax

Another disadvantage of washing up liquid is that it removes the wax layer from your car paint when rinsing the car. Car wax creates a shield over your paint and protects it from weather, dirt and ultraviolet radiation. If not, your car paint is left open and can easily be damaged by various factors in the environment.

2. It Can Damage the Paint Over Time

Washing up liquid has strong degreasers which over time will cut into the surface of your car and strip off the paint. These chemicals are too abrasive for the fine surface of automotive paints and may cause your car to look hazy or bleached when washed with them.

3. Leaves Streaks and Residue

Washing up liquid is not like the car shampoo which is made specifically for the washing of cars. This can lead to streaks and residues on the surface of your car especially if you do not rinse well. Car shampoos are wash off products that do not leave any residue behind and give the car a shiny look.

4. Potential to Dry Out Rubber and Plastic Parts

This washing up liquid can be very abrasive to rubber and plastic trims around your car. The powerful detergents can dissolve the oils in rubber and plastic and make these materials dry, crack or fade.

5. It’s Not Designed for Car Paint

Washing up liquid is made to remove food and grease on utensils and dishes not for safe removal of car paint. Car paint and clear coats can only be washed with mild products that will not harm or fade the paint. Car shampoo on the other hand is formulated for this reason.

6. Increases Risk of Oxidation

Since washing up liquid removes layers of protection on the paint of your car, it increases the chances of oxidation. Rusting is a process in which the paint work starts to fade and the car looks dull and has a chalky appearance. This effect can be hastened by the regular use of washing up liquid.

7. Can Lead to Paint Scratches

Car washing up liquid does not possess the same slippery feeling as car shampoo. When washing with a product that does not contain a lubricant there are increased chances of the dirt scratching your paint when wiping or scrubbing, thus causing tiny abrasions that compound themselves over time.

8. Affects Car Shine and Gloss

Washing up liquid removes the wax and any protective polish on your car and therefore makes the surface appear less shiny. On the other hand, car shampoos are formulated to increase the shine and richness of the color and give your car a professional wash.

9. May Damage Paint Sealants

If you have applied a paint sealant to your car, using washing up liquid will reduce the effectiveness of your paint sealant. Paint sealants are designed to protect the paint of your car, but the harsh chemicals found in washing up liquid can strip the paint sealants leaving them less effective and long-lasting.

10. Can Be Costly in the Long Run

Although using washing up liquid may be cheaper in the short run, the costs of repair, repainting, and replacement of damaged rubber or plastic parts are very costly. Purchasing a good car shampoo and other car care products will in the long run save you more money since your car will not be ruined.


So, Should You Use Washing Up Liquid on Your Car?

Although using washing up liquid may be cheaper in the short run, the costs of repair, repainting, and replacement of damaged rubber or plastic parts are very costly. Purchasing a good car shampoo and other car care products will in the long run save you more money since your car will not be ruined.

 

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