Washing car with dish/laundry detergent

[matty6660]

I am aware that dish soap and laundry detergent can dull the paint and wax on your car. But I need my car really shiny for an important day tomorrow and I don't have car soap.

I read 1 cup of washing up liquid + 1/2 cup of laundry detergent mixed in a bucket of water is the best ratio for a good clean. Does that sound right?

Coincidentally, I'm planning on respraying my car in the next few weeks anyway so cut the bs.

[matty6660]

steveo3002 said:

any petrol station will sell car wash soap ..or they might even have a jet wash too

failing that id just go with a small squirt of dish soap if you must

I can't go through car washes because of the spoiler lol :S

[matty6660]

so called said:

For a brilliant shine a friend of mine always polishes his car with Pledge

You mean the floor cleaner pledge?

[matty6660]

Just an update

I used a few squirts of suma star commercial washing up liquid in a bucket of water and it worked perfectly. Can't notice any difference from car shampoo. The glossy shine is still there as well contrary to what I thought.

[matty6660]

FreeLitres said:

Are you sure you haven't just stripped all your wax off to reveal the naked paint surface?

Not at all. But I'm respraying it in the next few days anyway so I don't care either way.