Yeah, I'd only use dawn on an old and very dirty car. I used dawn on my GT when I first got it because it was almost 10 years old and looked like it had never been hand washed. It's very harsh so I wouldn't suggest it very often.

 

These are the steps Meguiars says to follow, if you're interested/if it'll help:

1. Wash and Dry
2. Clay Bar with Meguiars Quick Detailer as a Lubricant
3. If it's still blurred, you can use their paint cleaner.
4. Meguiars Deep Crystal Polish
5. NXT Gen Wax/ Gold Classic Wax
6. Quick Detailer as needed until next washing.

I havn't yet used these products, but will be soon, so I can't really speak from experience, unfortunately.

 

And the Meguiars system with the Deep Crystal products really aren't that bad. They certainly don't compare to professional detailing stuff, but if you take a time and do a good job polishing and all that, then the result really isn't bad. I like to use the NXT 2.0 Tech Wax as a protectant and layer the Step 3 Carnauba on top of it.

Here was my result when I used it a while back on my GT: http://www.ajerman.com/car/clean2.jpg

We'll have to compare that to all my new stuff. I'm planning on washing this afternoon probably.

 

Thanks for everyones help. I'm going to take some before and after photos of my wife's Mazda and post them in here afterwards.