Will Dish Soap Strip Wax? We Put It to the Test

Some detailers swear by it. Others say it’s a myth. So we tested it: Can dish soap actually strip wax or sealant from your car’s paint?

This post breaks down what happened when we washed waxed panels with dish soap—and what you should actually use if you're trying to strip protection layers.

Why People Use Dish Soap on Cars

Dish soap is designed to cut grease, so it’s often used in DIY detailing circles to "strip" wax and sealants before applying a new protection layer.

But it’s not made for automotive paint—and depending on what you use, it may not do what you think.

✅ Our Test Setup

• Two panels coated with carnauba wax and synthetic sealant
• One washed with regular pH-balanced car soap
• One washed multiple times with Dawn dish soap (straight, no dilution)
• We tested water beading and surface slickness before and after

❌ The Result: It Didn’t Fully Strip the Wax

The dish soap reduced surface slickness and dulled the beading—but didn’t fully remove the protection. Water still behaved as if the wax was partially intact.

Conclusion: Dish soap isn’t consistent or strong enough to reliably strip wax. Worse, it can dry out rubber, trim, and even paint if overused.

✅ What to Use Instead

• High-pH soap like Pure Magic Cleaner in a foam cannon or bucket
• Clay bar or clay mitt to mechanically remove bonded protection
• Panel prep sprays or degreasers (used with care)

Products like The Super Soaper are coating-safe but can be boosted with stronger agents like Pure Magic Cleaner when you need decon-level cleaning.

So, Is Dish Soap Safe for Cars?

It won’t destroy your paint overnight, but repeated use can fade trim, dry out clear coat, and leave your car vulnerable. You’re better off using car-specific products built for the job.

Related Protection & Washing Posts

• Does Ceramic Spray Really Protect Car Paint?
• Foam Cannon vs Pre-Soak Sprayer
• Ceramic Spray vs Wax – Water Beading Showdown