Amstrad2000

True, I always assumed it was from using a sponge which has got grit under it but could equally be the same story when waxing with a cloth. Generally I'm too lazy to wax my car every few weeks but I only got the S2000 a couple of weeks ago so I'll give it a whole days worth of cleaning and then it'll just be a quick weekend rinse from here on in

I'll try the washing up liquid and see how I get on

dws2000

I heard that washing liquid is abrasive and takes off a tiny layer of the varnish, which is why the car somes up so gleaming. Apparently this is ok if you then spend time reapplying layers of wax as a protective barrier. But if not then it's not good for the paint.
I could be wrong though.

Amstrad2000

Hmm, not sure, I will be waxing it straight afterwards anyway, but maybe I should stick with the standard car shampoo stuff I usually use, at least I know it does the job.

simonprelude

Most car shampoo as well as washing up liquid have salt in them.

This is not good for the paint (swirly wise) and also needs washing off very well as salt helps corrosion. (In the wrong way)

Busamav

Try using hand lotion before you start and wear Marigolds love

robs_silver_s2k

Unless you want to strip everything off the car then don't use fairy. I only ever use this if I want to clay the car. I wash with fairy, then car shampoo then clay - followed by another car shampoo wash before polishing and waxing.

Ps fairy does contain large amounts of salt or so I have read obviously this is not the best thing for the paint. oh and don't ever use hand lotion I have seen the car of one of the residents of the flats I live in and she used hand lotion - not a good idea :thumbdown:

Shiskine

Another rare opportunity to bring my 15 years in the chemical industry to bear ...

All detergents (traffic film removers, wash up liquids, car shampoos) contain salt. Salt is added to thicken the product. If you want to try a little home experiment, take some Fairy Liquid and stir in some salt and watch it thicken before your very eyes. Without the salt, the products would be too runny and consumers regard thicker products as more effective. This, of course, is complete . The thicker products aren't necessarily more concentrated, they just have more salt in them (okay, and may be a slightly different combo of surfactants).

The manufacture of these products is known in the industry as "bucket chemicals" because they are a doddle to make and can literally be thrown together in a bucket. The basic chemistry is the same. Sulphonic Acid, Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate, Salt, Diethanolamide (for that creamy lather; used in hair shampoo), throw in some colour and some perfume and bingo. I'm simplifying, of course.

Then give it a fancy and complicated sounding name (eg S2Ki 113 Hi-Tech Traffic Film Remover) and charge whatever the hell you like !!

In terms of what it does to your paintwork, I would very much doubt the salt will do any harm whatsoever. In any event, it's bound up in the compound, not floating about as salt in the way you would normally come across it.

Shiskine

dws2000

oooooh, it's terrible you know, my nails have never been the same since owning that S2000