People should be aware that Dawn will destroy any polymer or natural wax coating they have applied to their car's paint. There are non-stripping car soaps which will not do that. Also, soap will leave a residue on the glass, so why not follow up with a clear water spray?
You are correct you should not use Dawn on the cars paint. It is such a good cleaner is will remove any paint protection. Now it probably is good to clean just the cameras.
That looks like calcite deposits or minerals that would need an acid wash like white distilled vinegar, but one could only tell if it has etched itself to the glass or plastic. Back in the 70’s I worked at a plastics manufacturer in San Jose, California, where we did optical lenses for space craft and polished many plastics. They had a product they used called Maquire’s Sp? “Mirror Glaze” in all different formulas. I used it a lot, myself Dawn dish detergent was used in the Valdez oil spill to clean animals.
I've always avoided using Dawn around my cars since it can strip wax off the finish. Wouldn't using a glass cleaner such as Invisible Glass or something similar be preferable to Dawn for cleaning the cameras?
I've successfully used Flitz plastic polish to rub out scratches from plastic surfaces such as reading glasses, plastic windows of rag tops, and plastic instrument gauge covers on cars.
What's the point of this? The way you are spraying is putting dawn all over the car and stripping any wax or polymers off the paint. You might as well wash the car properly if your cameras are so dirty that they can't see properly. If anything just use a waterless wash not dish soap...
Instead of the microfiber cloth, I would use a hairdryer to blow off the residue. Then respray with clear water and repeat with the hairdryer. That way, you never touch the lens with anything.
People should be aware that Dawn will destroy any polymer or natural wax coating they have applied to their car's paint. There are non-stripping car soaps which will not do that. Also, soap will leave a residue on the glass, so why not follow up with a clear water spray?
You are correct you should not use Dawn on the cars paint. It is such a good cleaner is will remove any paint protection. Now it probably is good to clean just the cameras.
I was thinking the same thing. I've made that mistake before. It is a very powerful degreaser.
A clean microfiber cloth and a bottle of Meguiar's Quik Wax works fine on the cameras on my vehicles.
That looks like calcite deposits or minerals that would need an acid wash like white distilled vinegar, but one could only tell if it has etched itself to the glass or plastic.
Back in the 70’s I worked at a plastics manufacturer in San Jose, California, where we did optical lenses for space craft and polished many plastics. They had a product they used called Maquire’s Sp? “Mirror Glaze” in all different formulas. I used it a lot, myself
Dawn dish detergent was used in the Valdez oil spill to clean animals.
50/50??? That’s crazy! You need like 2 drops of Dawn to wash a sink full of dishes.
Any thoughts on why the cameras don't have disposable transparent lens protectors over the camera lenses?
I just had to clean the glass between the front three cameras and the windshield. it was all hazy and crappy looking. now its nice and clean :)
Good point and tip. I'm going to go mix some up right now.
Great idea. I use the hand held sprayer in a touchless car wash to wash my cameras. Dirty cameras gets you no where.
I've always avoided using Dawn around my cars since it can strip wax off the finish. Wouldn't using a glass cleaner such as Invisible Glass or something similar be preferable to Dawn for cleaning the cameras?
Great tip. Tesla recommends plain water.
I've successfully used Flitz plastic polish to rub out scratches from plastic surfaces such as reading glasses, plastic windows of rag tops, and plastic instrument gauge covers on cars.
Thx I’m new to Tesla and have been using my finger a few time but will follow your advise,
Thank you nice tip
Now I will use for my model Y
Excellent tip by Dave. I assume any high quality dish detergent will work and there are no special properties of Dawn platinum.
Thank you for the tips. Have you ever had to recalibrate the cameras?
Nice tip Dave!
Awesome tip.
Thank you
Good grief..det to the point.
Same thing. He's got a mechanical voice like those solicitors that say you won the lottey.
By the time I got to the end, I forgot it was about the camera and not a Tesla commercial!
What’s the microscope camera you used?
Just a USB camera off of Amazon not expensive
so....soap.
and water. lol
It took you all that time to show that 😮 shame on you
Yep - and only to find that, as a number of folks pointed out, Dawn isn't the best choice!
Yeah but you know how to properly clean your cameras, your welcome 😁
What's the point of this? The way you are spraying is putting dawn all over the car and stripping any wax or polymers off the paint. You might as well wash the car properly if your cameras are so dirty that they can't see properly. If anything just use a waterless wash not dish soap...
Maybe just some distilled water 💦 in the spritz bottle? 🤔
OK expect road grime from oil won’t clean it
Instead of the microfiber cloth, I would use a hairdryer to blow off the residue. Then respray with clear water and repeat with the hairdryer. That way, you never touch the lens with anything.
Great video.