First Wash of New Car

J

JSFM35X

Active member
I usually use Dawn for the first wash to remove any BS wax that the dealer may have applied or wash added enhancers.

I now have reset in my arsenal and I wanted to know, does this replace the dawn.

Thanks,

Jeff
 
I'd clay the car after the wash to ensure that you've removed the old wax and anything else on the paints surface..also no dish soap wash
 
Dawn doesn't really remove much of anything and leaves surfactants behind--take a look at this thread paying particular attention to post by PiPUK-- LSP stripping - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

I use CG Red at 1 oz per gallon to make sure I get the car really clean before a major polishing etc, but even that won't remove a good sealant. It's easy to test yourself--after a Dawn or CG Red wash you'll note the water is not beading at all, but give it a wipe with IPA and the beading will come back because you have removed the surfacants.
 
Yeah, skip the Dawn. In the absence of something like ValuGard's ABC new car decontamination system (hint hint) I'd just mix up a really potent regular shampoo mix rather than use Dawn.

And yeah, the polishing will remove any dealer-applied stuff.
 
Reset will do good as a wash. But it's not a super strong "stripping" soap. But it is a good soap that cleans very well.

Personally I don't buy into the stripping soap anymore as these LSPs get better.
 
WaxAddict said:
in that case, RESET is an unfortunate name for the product.
Click to expand...
The idea is to remove any contaminants and return the coating to its original state. It's a maintenance shampoo and marketed as such.

They didn't name it Ultra Strip 5000.
 
I would skip the stripping soaps and be sure the paint is clean like a paint cleaner such as AF Paint Prep.
 
Don't overthink it. A quality CAR WASH soap, a two-bucket wash with quality mitts and MF towels and you'll be set. With a brand new car, you're going to want to go full-boat on the finish, meaning clay, compound (if needed) polish and seal.
 
Guess I'm the only person who's all about decontamination systems these days :D I'd ABC it, especially since it's white.

Recommended by Jeep/Chrysler too....hey, I wonder if the dealer already used it? Aren't they supposed to? Eh, wish Ketcham were still around here, I bet he'd know...
 
Agreed on doing an actual decon on a new WHITE vehicle. I've never seen a new, white car that DIDN'T have iron deposits on it (unless it's a high-dollar car that was shipping in a covering).
I'd at least use some sort of iron removing product like Iron-X. As far as the soap...it doesn't matter...you're going to polish it anyhow. Whatever the dealer put on it will come right off.
Reset is still a good soap otherwise; just not for what you were intending.
 
Accumulator said:
I wonder if the dealer already used it? Aren't they supposed to? Eh, wish Ketcham were still around here, I bet he'd know...
Click to expand...

Even though there is a TSB about it, I doubt many dealers use it. They probably don't want to wash a vehicle three times in a row

I miss Ron too. He possesses so much knowledge.
 
Bill D- I oughta get hold of Ketch and see if he's OK...haven't received any emails/etc. from him for a while now.

And yeah, cynical 'ol me, I never expect Chrysler/Ford/Mazda/Benz/etc. dealers to do the ABC despite the "official policy" (scare-quotes intentional ;) ).
 
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