LexusPride

I have read that Zaino recommends using Dawn dish-washing detergent to initially wash car with before using their product, but both Mother's and Maguire's say otherwise. I have used both of their carwash products and it is mentioned on both, is this just marketing or is Dawn and others bad for the paint

LexusRules

they just say to do this ONCE, just to really get that dirt off for the wax applications, if you wax on dirt, and that dirt comes off, well you have an empy space with no wax, but they do not recomend you to always clean your car with dishwashing detergent

RON430

Dawn is not bad for the paint but it will take off all of the previous waxes and protectants you have applied, which is also on the Zaino site. No problem using it but you need to wax it afterwords. If you have a protectant on the car (wax or Zaino) and don't want to remove it, then use one of the modern car washes or plain water.

SCV8

That Dawn is some pretty good stuff;leaves no residue compared to cheaper detergents.
That is,it'll do a fine job of removing everything,including old wax from your car's paint.Not something you really need to do that often.