How do you wash your car?

[RN318]

I have some interesting conversations with alot of my clients on how they maintain the appearance of their cars.

It's surprising how many people are not aware of the damage they are causing to their paintwork by using certain products or techniques.

I have given advice to plenty of enthusiasts (including a lot of members on this forum) on what products to use and proper technique.


So, I want to know how you WASH your car. (not polish/buff, etc)

And if you don't wash your own car, who do you take it to?

Discuss your methods, your tricks and products used.

Use this template:

Method: eg. 2 bucket wash; bucket and sponge; waterless wash; other
Tools Used: eg. Microfibre mitt, Microfibre drying towel; synthetic chamois; sponge
Products Used: eg. Meguiars Next Generation Car Wash (pH neutral)
Comments/Extras: eg. I use a high pressure hose on my wheels. I pre rinse my car with snow foam. My buckets have grit guards in them, etc.

[MPBK]

I power spray the car first. That gets the sand and grit out of the way.
I then prepare a bucket with a tiny bit of car shampoo.
I dry the car with a microfiber towel. Instead of just wringing the towel to dry it, I wash it in the bucket.
It works like a sponge bath on a person.

[RaihaX]

Method: 3 bucket method, one for wheel rinsing, one for car panel rinsing and one for soap. 3 mitts (one for wheels and 2 for the car panel). Wheels first and then the car one panel at a time, only up and down or left and right motion. Once I have washed I water sheet the car before drying it with my waffle weave. I also spray duragloss aquawax (QD) as I dry.

Tools Used: Microfibre mitt, Waffle Weave

Products Used: Currently using Duragloss

[MrBlonde]

I ignore my car until I start getting dirt on my clothes when I get into it. Then I drive it to the nearest car wash cafe and have them wash it and vacuum the interior. Afterwards I cuss about how shit a job they do.

Repeat.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I ignore my car until I start getting dirt on my clothes when I get into it. Then I drive it to the nearest car wash cafe and have them wash it and vacuum the interior. Afterwards I cuss about how shit a job they do.

Repeat.

[Honny]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I ignore my car until I start getting dirt on my clothes when I get into it. Then I drive it to the nearest car wash cafe and have them wash it and vacuum the interior. Afterwards I cuss about how shit a job they do.

Repeat.

I used to wash my car every week and I just cbf these days. Like you Kenny I go to the nearest wash bay and drive through those machine. Also there's no contact between the car and machine so I'm not worried about getting any scrape marks etc.

Learned to wash wheels regularly with just soap and water. Been told by an expert this was the best way to do it, no fancy. Products needed.

[RN318]

Originally Posted by ianf

Method: Car should be cold. Ensure all mitts are clean from last wash. Rinse car. 2 buckets, go around car 3 times from top to bottom, rinse. Wheels last.
Tools Used: Microfibre mitt, Microfibre drying towel & synthetic chamois
Products Used: P21S Wheel Gel, Optimum Car Wash (best car wash ever!!!) or P21S car Wash
Comments/Extras: I use washing machine to clean my towels, chamois, mitts after each wash; Washing & drying process must be with a light touch and not circular in motion.

I can tell you put a lot of time and effort into your car. I had a look over it at the recent meet. Considering it was parked next to a brand new car, it was stunning. Whoever buys your car has scored a beautiful car!

Originally Posted by RaihaX

Method: 3 bucket method, one for wheel rinsing, one for car panel rinsing and one for soap. 3 mitts (one for wheels and 2 for the car panel). Wheels first and then the car one panel at a time, only up and down or left and right motion. Once I have washed I water sheet the car before drying it with my waffle weave. I also spray duragloss aquawax (QD) as I dry.

Tools Used: Microfibre mitt, Waffle Weave

Products Used: Currently using Duragloss

Duragloss Aqua Wax

Rey, do you find you can dry your entire car down without ever needing to wring out your MF towel?

Ps - what are you using on your chrome exhaust tips?

By far one of the best quick detailers I've used. I recommend this product to my clients and other members here on 1addicts.
I'm waiting to see what Joe (Zuzu) thinks of this product (after using OCW)

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I ignore my car until I start getting dirt on my clothes when I get into it. Then I drive it to the nearest car wash cafe and have them wash it and vacuum the interior. Afterwards I cuss about how shit a job they do.

Repeat.

Kenny, I was waiting for your comment and I knew it would be something like this..

Originally Posted by Honny

I used to wash my car every week and I just cbf these days. Like you Kenny I go to the nearest wash bay and drive through those machine. Also there's no contact between the car and machine so I'm not worried about getting any scrape marks etc.

Learned to wash wheels regularly with just soap and water. Been told by an expert this was the best way to do it, no fancy. Products needed.

Correct. A new or treated/waxed wheel only needs warm water and car wash. Making sure it's pH neutral too. And yes, regular washing of wheels (at least once or twice a week for a daily driven car) is the key to reducing road tar/brake dust build up and essentially keeps your wheels looking fresh.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by RN318

Duragloss Aqua Wax

Rey, do you find you can dry your entire car down without ever needing to wring out your MF towel?

Ps - what are you using on your chrome exhaust tips?

By far one of the best quick detailers I've used. I recommend this product to my clients and other members here on 1addicts.
I'm waiting to see what Joe (Zuzu) thinks of this product (after using OCW)

After water sheeting the car before drying yep, I have no need to wring out my waffle weave

I just use soap and water for my tip Just regular maintenance and I do wash the car every one or two week.

I need to buy more aquawax I am running out. Where do you get them from Raj?

Any recommendation on soap? I am currently using the whole duragloss range for soap, leather shampoo, conditioner

[RN318]

Originally Posted by RaihaX

After water sheeting the car before drying yep, I have no need to wring out my waffle weave

I just use soap and water for my tip Just regular maintenance and I do wash the car every one or two week.

I need to buy more aquawax I am running out. Where do you get them from Raj?

Any recommendation on soap? I am currently using the whole duragloss range for soap, leather shampoo, conditioner

Right here, Rey:
http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...agloss/aquawax
Maybe get a 3.8L version sent out to you. The Duragloss range is fantastic.

I would recommend this product to everyone.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by RN318

Right here, Rey:

http://www.carcareproducts.com.au/pr...agloss/aquawax

Maybe get a 3.8L version sent out to you.

I would recommend this product to everyone.

yeah that is where I got mine from originally just thought you had a cheaper place as the cost of the 3.8L in the US is the same as the small bottle here

[RN318]

Originally Posted by RaihaX

yeah that is where I got mine from originally just thought you had a cheaper place as the cost of the 3.8L in the US is the same as the small bottle here

True, but I have a great relationship with CCP, so I'm happy to support them.

[RaihaX]

Originally Posted by RN318

True, but I have a great relationship with CCP, so I'm happy to support them.

fair enough

[Superdaws]

Method: high pressure rinse with a Karcher, 1 bucket with suds for washing, 1 for wheels.
Tools Used: Microfibre mitt, Microfibre drying towel, synthetic chamois
Products Used: P21S Car Wash, Aerospace 303 Protectant inside, Swissvax tyre gel, Armourall wheel protectant (roughly once per month), Dodojuice lime-prime lite and Blue Velvet + Supernatural Hybrid over the top when its time to wax.
Comments/Extras: Love my Karcher for pre rinse and post rinse. Lake country pads for the polishing. Hand applied hard wax when needed.

[Alpine*]

Method:

1. Get a cold car and sit it in the middle of the garage parked at ~45 degrees
2. Soak with the mega Karcher soap dispenser gizmo (Meguiars Gold Wash), top down, engine bay, under guards, wheels and a good squirt up the 4 tailpipes
3. Soak for a bit then hit the Karcher on it again to rinse thoroughly, including under guards and up the tips.
4. 1 bucket with Meguiars Gold Wash for washing, nappy (a clean one)
5. Divide the car into sections, top driver side, top passenger side, front, rear, driver side, passenger side whilst rinsing between wash sections.
6. Engine bay, wheels THEN tips with electric drill and brush, shuving the brush right up those suckers
7. hose off water in sheets
8. wipe down with about four or five nappies (clean ones), top down again, boot surround/sills/door frames/engine bay/exhaust

Comments/Extras: IF I feel energetic I then remove the wheels and clean them individually, then clean under guards and give the brake calipers some love.

Job done......... all day (outside only) Once per month for this treatment, weekly the semi handwash carwash down the road


Nearly forgot, bi annual $800 detail at Final Inspection in Victoria.

Shiny

[MrBlonde]

Originally Posted by Honny

I used to wash my car every week and I just cbf these days. Like you Kenny I go to the nearest wash bay and drive through those machine. Also there's no contact between the car and machine so I'm not worried about getting any scrape marks etc.

Learned to wash wheels regularly with just soap and water. Been told by an expert this was the best way to do it, no fancy. Products needed.

Yeah mate I wouldn't go through a machine wash but the hand wash places are good enough for me to keep the paint from being damaged from outright neglect.

I admire those here who have the skills, experience products and time to do a good job of keeping their car clean.

For me if it's a car I love I'd wash it properly. For a daily driver, it's just a shitter so I take it to a hand wash joint. I'm happy to get it detailed properly every now and then when I find someone who genuinely loves it and puts their heart and soul into the job.

[NPVPositive]

Step 1: Phone Lionel at OCD and find out when he can come over.
Step 2: Repeat as needed.

[Superdaws]

Originally Posted by ianf

high pressure strips off wax

Only if u use it REALLY close, > 1m no problems, especially hard wax. Being doing it this way for a long time and my Dodo juice lasts 5/6 months before the beading subsides.

Plus im only using a $99 Karcher, so pressure is about as low as it comes from those things anyway. Works a treat for me.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by RN318

Duragloss Aqua Wax
By far one of the best quick detailers I've used. I recommend this product to my clients and other members here on 1addicts.
I'm waiting to see what Joe (Zuzu) thinks of this product (after using OCW)

Haven't actually Purchased the Duragloss yet mate.. But will definitely try soon. Still using the OCW (Optimum Spray Car Wax) for now.

I actually like the idea of a wet wax application of Duragloss.

As far as washing goes, I use the 2 bucket method and use either Macguires Gold Class wash or Zaino Z7 Show Car Wash.

Since speaking to Raj, have also purchased Mint Waffle Weave Microfibre Drying Towel.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by Zuzu

Haven't actually Purchased the Duragloss yet mate.. But will definitely try soon. Still using the OCW (Optimum Spray Car Wax) for now.

I actually like the idea of a wet wax application of Duragloss.

As far as washing goes, I use the 2 bucket method and use either Macguires Gold Class wash or Zaino Z7 Show Car Wash.

Since speaking to Raj, have also purchased Mint Waffle Weave Microfibre Drying Towel.

EDIT:Just purchased Duragloss online from CCP and some other goodies to have the car looking pristine for Saturday arvo..Looking good Raj.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by ianf

Optimum Spray wax and Optimum car wash I find to be exceptional products.
P21S 100% Carnuba wax is also amazing stuff!

Duragloss sounds interesting stuff too.

Both the Optimum Spray wax and Optimum car wash have been discontinued at CCP..

So I have replaced them both with the Duragloss concentrate car wash and Duragloss Aqua wax..

[flinchy]

Method: 2 bucket
Tools Used: Microfibre mitt / waffle mitt, microfibre towel.
Products Used: everything autoglym (i'm lazy, it all came from the same UK shop, it's pretty good stuff in general)
Comments/Extras: karcher, pre wash with snowfoam, i'll be purchasing grit guards asap.

real steps were:

rinse down
snowfoam
rinse
2 bucket wash with autoglym shampoo
rinse
dry with towel
claybarclaybarclaybar (just this once, glass and all)
resin polish
wax
resin polish

so in future i can just snowfoam, aqua wax, and it's back to perfect clean. in the rain atm it just sheets off like nobodies business. i waxed the windscreen, i have barely even put the wipers on yet! and when i do, no chatter! it used to chatter heaps! bugs just rinse off even in rain

[RaihaX]

seems like I am the only one who uses 3 buckets and water sheet the car