vThis is very important to maintain the look of the car and also to ensure that the paint and the finish of the car are well protected. However, it can be tempting to use a readily available cleaner, such as washing up liquid, whenever you are out of car shampoo. Even when using washing up liquid once, it can cause problems which are not easily seen but will affect your car in the long run. Below are two main issues that can be caused by washing up liquid if used to clean your car.
1. Stripping Away Protective Wax and Sealants
There are layers of protection beyond the paint of a car. Both wax and sealants are used to cover the surface in order to prevent paint from fading, oxidizing, getting dirty or developing rust. Car shampoos are designed to be mild enough that they will not remove these layers of protection. Washing up liquid on the other hand is used to remove grease and dirt on utensils used in the kitchen and therefore contains substances that are not good for car engines. Applying washing up liquid on your car, no matter how rarely, will remove wax or sealants and make the paint vulnerable to the weather. Without this protection, the car’s paint becomes vulnerable to:
Fading: Exposure to the sun means that your paint will fade away and lose its color when the wax layer is scraped off. Oxidation: When the car is exposed to air and moisture, it is likely to oxidize, making its surface appear to be chalky or dull. Staining: Once the clear coat is worn off, other elements such as bird droppings, road salt, tree sap among others can easily access the paint and cause damage. Although it may appear to be harmless to use washing up liquid once, removing these barriers accelerates the deterioration of your car’s paint and this will cost you a lot of money to fix.
2. Creating Micro-Scratches on the Paint Surface
Yet another problem with washing up liquid is that it can leave a layer of fine scratches on the car’s paintwork. Car washing soap is made to deal with oils and grease; as such, it is not as slippery as car wash soap which is made to lift dirt off the surface of the paint without rubbing. Car shampoos prevent scratching by giving the car surface a smooth layer on which dirt and other abrasive materials can be washed without scratching the surface. What washing up liquid does not have is the slickness which can leave your paint open to any form of dirt or grit that may be on the car’s surface.
Here’s how washing up liquid can lead to micro-scratches:
Increased Friction: Washing up liquid does not offer the same slip, and as you rub the sponge or a cloth over the car, it pulls along dirt and grime over the surface of the paint, which scratches it.
Harder to Rinse:
Sulfate based washing up liquid can be more difficult to wash off sometimes leaving behind some residue. This residue can make the surface look less shiny and, if particles are trapped in it when it dries, can make the surface feel rougher. Compounded Damage Over Time: While washing with washing up liquid you may not notice any visible scratches, micro-scratches build up gradually, and they make the paint look less shiny and the surface feel rougher. Semi-gloss paint is more difficult to wash, and it absorbs dust and other particles that cause continuous paint deterioration.
How to Correct or Prevent These Issues
If you’ve already used washing up liquid on your car once, here are a few ways to help mitigate the damage:
- Apply a Fresh Coat of Wax:
- Be sure to wash your car and then dry it before you go ahead and apply a new layer of car wax in order to get the protection.
- Use a Scratch Remover:
- An equally good option to mask small scratches is using a scratch remover or paint polish for the automobile. To do this you should use a microfiber cloth and apply it gently and avoid putting more pressure on the screen.
- Switch to Car-Specific Products:
- A good quality car shampoo is crucial to buy. Choose a soap that is as close to a neutral pH as possible and which does not harm wax or cause scratching on the wax.
Conclusion: Choose Car Shampoo Over Washing Up Liquid
While using washing up liquid might be a convenient way of cleaning the car it comes with issues that harm your car paint and its appearance. A single time, you leave your car’s surface naked by removing layers of wax and sealants and leaving your paint out in the open. You also raise the risk of minor scratches that are barely noticeable, but tend to roughen the paint and complicate subsequent washing. As a way of maintaining the exterior of your car, you should consider using products meant for cars. It will prevent damage to your paint and finish so that you don’t have to compromise and get your car adjusted more than it needs to be.
How Using Washing Up Liquid on Your Car Once Can Cause 2 Big Problems
This is very important to maintain the look of the car and also to ensure that the paint and the finish of the car are well protected. However, it can be tempting to use a readily available cleaner, such as washing up liquid, whenever you are out of car shampoo. Even when using washing up liquid once, it can cause problems which are not easily seen but will affect your car in the long run. Below are two main issues that can be caused by washing up liquid if used to clean your car.
1. Stripping Away Protective Wax and Sealants
There are layers of protection beyond the paint of a car. Both wax and sealants are used to cover the surface in order to prevent paint from fading, oxidizing, getting dirty or developing rust. Car shampoos are designed to be mild enough that they will not remove these layers of protection. Washing up liquid on the other hand is used to remove grease and dirt on utensils used in the kitchen and therefore contains substances that are not good for car engines. Applying washing up liquid on your car, no matter how rarely, will remove wax or sealants and make the paint vulnerable to the weather. Without this protection, the car’s paint becomes vulnerable to:
Fading: Exposure to the sun means that your paint will fade away and lose its color when the wax layer is scraped off. Oxidation: When the car is exposed to air and moisture, it is likely to oxidize, making its surface appear to be chalky or dull. Staining: Once the clear coat is worn off, other elements such as bird droppings, road salt, tree sap among others can easily access the paint and cause damage. Although it may appear to be harmless to use washing up liquid once, removing these barriers accelerates the deterioration of your car’s paint and this will cost you a lot of money to fix.
2. Creating Micro-Scratches on the Paint Surface
Yet another problem with washing up liquid is that it can leave a layer of fine scratches on the car’s paintwork. Car washing soap is made to deal with oils and grease; as such, it is not as slippery as car wash soap which is made to lift dirt off the surface of the paint without rubbing. Car shampoos prevent scratching by giving the car surface a smooth layer on which dirt and other abrasive materials can be washed without scratching the surface. What washing up liquid does not have is the slickness which can leave your paint open to any form of dirt or grit that may be on the car’s surface.
Here’s how washing up liquid can lead to micro-scratches:
Increased Friction: Washing up liquid does not offer the same slip, and as you rub the sponge or a cloth over the car, it pulls along dirt and grime over the surface of the paint, which scratches it.
Harder to Rinse:
Sulfate based washing up liquid can be more difficult to wash off sometimes leaving behind some residue. This residue can make the surface look less shiny and, if particles are trapped in it when it dries, can make the surface feel rougher. Compounded Damage Over Time: While washing with washing up liquid you may not notice any visible scratches, micro-scratches build up gradually, and they make the paint look less shiny and the surface feel rougher. Semi-gloss paint is more difficult to wash, and it absorbs dust and other particles that cause continuous paint deterioration.
How to Correct or Prevent These Issues
If you’ve already used washing up liquid on your car once, here are a few ways to help mitigate the damage:
- Apply a Fresh Coat of Wax:
- Be sure to wash your car and then dry it before you go ahead and apply a new layer of car wax in order to get the protection.
- Use a Scratch Remover:
- An equally good option to mask small scratches is using a scratch remover or paint polish for the automobile. To do this you should use a microfiber cloth and apply it gently and avoid putting more pressure on the screen.
- Switch to Car-Specific Products:
- A good quality car shampoo is crucial to buy. Choose a soap that is as close to a neutral pH as possible and which does not harm wax or cause scratching on the wax.
Conclusion: Choose Car Shampoo Over Washing Up Liquid
While using washing up liquid might be a convenient way of cleaning the car it comes with issues that harm your car paint and its appearance. A single time, you leave your car’s surface naked by removing layers of wax and sealants and leaving your paint out in the open. You also raise the risk of minor scratches that are barely noticeable, but tend to roughen the paint and complicate subsequent washing. As a way of maintaining the exterior of your car, you should consider using products meant for cars. It will prevent damage to your paint and finish so that you don’t have to compromise and get your car adjusted more than it needs to be.