best soap for washing on a new paint job

[gamagin]

Newbie member here.   I just had my '03 LS430 painted. I would like to know what y'all think is the best soap for washing my car?  I called the Dawn hotline (it's been my favorite soap for years) and they said they can't recommend their Dawn.  I Would appreciate recommendations, or a consensus,  on what cleaner is  best to maintain my "new" Lexus.    Thanks !  Jerry  

p.s.a brief background here. I was a LOC member for several years and have been the proud owner of two sedans and two Rx's.  I always found this club to be the best resource for questions about our beloved Lexus cars and trucks.  all the best, 

.  

Edited April 24 by gamagin
add a little bio to my LOC familiarity

[McBrian]

DO NOT USE DISH OR HOUSEOLD SOAP!!!! EVER!!!! Hopefully food isn't stuck to your paint, but I don't know you, so... 🙂

Anything from the car wash aisle is good. More what you do before and after that will keep your paint fresh. Don't just wet and scrub dirt. Do your best to wash off surface dirt with a hard spray before you start to with the elbows. The foamer kits are also a pretty good way to float off the *BLEEP* that's going to cause damage.

Only use soft wash gloves/sponges and don't use old towels or clothes to dry. Just because you think it feels soft it is a guarantee to scratch your paint. Get a good chamois. And clean them after you use them!

I would recommend springing for a full detail with some sort of coating first. Makes everything easier from that point forward.

[gamagin]

Thanks McBrian.   I now have the beginnings of my clean car kit: your knowledge of do's and don'ts.   I remember using a chamois long ago but, to be honest, I somehow got into towels.  No more. I want to use what is best for the car, not shortcuts.  I'm going to buy and make a kit containing your recommendations -- soft wash gloves/sponges, chamois etc.  

Re detail:  That was done after the paint job as part of the project.   

If you're up for it, I'd like to press you for the brand names you use or would recommend for wash and waxing.  I've had em all over the years but would love to know what an LOC member recommends from experience,    

Thanks again, and all the best,

Jerry

 

[McBrian]

I have tried everything as well and have always come back to (no affiliation) Meguire's stuff. It's available everywhere, not the cheapest, or absurdly expensive either. I am looking for a new foamer now though. Search car wash soap foamer  and be overwhelmed...

Good on you for already detailing. I just finished all of my mechanical resurrections and am starting on the outside. Wrapped the hood in matte black so no harsh brushes and will be doing a ding-tour, detail, and then a DLC. She's a little overblack, but looks kinda beast IMHO and there's enough chrome left to offset. Rainy day during the peak of pollen season, but you can see her potential even with no work on the paint so far.

[Carbuff2]

I have read that you should NOT wash your newly-painted (or body-panel  repair) vehicle for at least 2 months after painting., because the  paint is still 'soft'.

 

Soaps like Dawn are excellent for washing oily things...but the Dawn will remove waxes. (Don't know about ceramic coatings)

 

Also, don't EVER rub your car's finish hard...use light hand pressure ONLY.  Things that are more difficult to remove (bird droppings, bug splatters) should be SOAKED first...then they will wipe clean without harsh rubbing.

[McBrian]

Agreed on everything.

NIce and accurate add-ons.

Thank you!
B

[gamagin]

Thanks Carbuff. I hadn't heard anything before about not washing a new paint job for two months.  I'm going to try and dig a little deeper to see if that is the case.  fwiw, I haven't washed my car since I brought it home a week or so ago.  BUT. there's alot of pollen and dust in the air around here so the car could use a wash. My thought is to lightly run water over it.  and. maybe use a sponge or mitt to wipe gently per instructions from McBrian. 

I decided to order a car cover last week from Amazon. It arrived Saturday and I sent it back Sunday.  The problem was the alleged soft side was stiff and scratchy and, imo, not qualified to cover my 430 without scratching the new paint.  I didn't feel right and, in my judgement, would do more harm than good. 

NOW, I'm the hunt to find the right cover for my car.  I hadn't noticed before this, but it looks like the whole world is selling car covers. Promising the best and competing for prices and guaranteeing their product is the very best.

SO, do you McBrian & Carbuff ,or any other members, know which of the thousand car covers being advertised is the best for a new paint job ?  I would appreciate hearing from anyone with a little experience in this area.

I've decided to take these steps a little more carefully than in the past.  And to listen to those on this site that have essentially solved or also are working on getting the right "stuff" for our wonderful cars.   I live where there are four seasons.  And therefore I need a good weather beater that's gentle to the inside touch while protecting the paint job.  

Thanks, again - Jerry 

Edited April 28 by gamagin
typos

[Carbuff2]

I've never been a professional detailer...but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn once! <---old joke

 

Don't over-think the 'new' paint job, just resist the urge to rub it clean. When it is time, use a wash mitt, NOT a sponge.

 

The only time I've used car covers were at multi-day car shows, with our sports cars.  So I'm not an exert at THAT.

 

A dedicated forum for these types of questions is similar to this:

https://www.autopia.org/

[gamagin]

Thanks, Carbuff