What is best soap to use, that does not leave a film, or water spots ?
Griot's car wash of course! http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+wash%2C+16+ounces.do?sortby=ourPicks
I use both the Griots stuff, as well as the Meguires Gold Class...both are excellent and create lots of suds, which is the point, to help lift and float away the dirt. Make sure to get some good thick sheep skin mitts too...Griot's has some nice onces for around $25 or $30. Get a purpose built bucket too. Griots has one with a grate in the bottom, so the dirt falls through as you swish the mitt in the soapy water. That keeps you from picking up the dirt and putting it back on the car...and risk scratches.
I think to really do it right you should use two buckets, one to rinse the mitt, then the next one with the soapy water.
Dawn -- if you want to remove every last bit of oil, grease and wax on the car and not hurt the paint. As for normal washing, it really doesn't matter which brand. They're all similar. I use Griot's, but only because it smells good and is a local company for me. I've used dozens of other products over the years, and they all seem to work just as well.
Best answer. And, doesn't driving your car do a lot more damage to the paint than using the one bucket to wash? The sand, bugs and road debris surely are more abrasive.... I've never understood the 2 bucket thing.
Ok guys, its time for me to come out of the woodwork and let you all know I have opened a Griot's dealership in SE Portland. The name of the store is Sidedraught City, at the corner of 10th and SE Main right next to ATD. I have many of the great products you find in the Griot's catalog or at the great store in Tacoma at the same great prices. I honor their specials as well. I have plenty of Car Wash in stock right now! Stop by and check us out! Tuesday through Sunday hours, closed on Mondays. Thanks neil
It's the washing off of the debris which causes the swirls in the paint. Obviously, if you get hit by rocks or sand, that is going to be abrasive to the car. But a lot of the dirt is just dirty water which dries on your car, so it's not that abrasive initially. The second bucket is to rinse the dirt off your sponge/mitt/etc, thus decreasing the chance of the dirt wiping against the finish.
Actually the magic number of buckets for washing is three. Here is why: http://portlandhomesforcars.com/sunday-washing/ And a welcome to Neil at Sidedraught City for his new business as a Griot's Garage retailer in Portland! No more shipping charges! And you can test drive many of the products in his workshop bay --Mark
Holy crap... that 3 bucket guy goes the distance. And my wife thought the hour and a half I take to wash the car was crazy, this guy must block out a whole day just to WASH! I do like his foam gun to waskh mit idea! I'm a Griot's guy too but am not a 3 bucket guy. I start by doing wheels only with thier own cleaning tools that never touch the cars paint, about a half hour spent just cleaning wheels and wells. As for the body typically one bucket for me, starting from the top of the car down to the waist band or door handle line. Then I wash the bottom of the car last. All wah motion is forward to back and I dry using a lubricant, Griot's Spray Wax.
I've decided to use four buckets...and am considering six buckets....still working out the details of the procedure. It will include four hoses with various water pressure settings and patterns, which can be instantly accessed from various sides of the car.
This is all pretty typical for someone that properly details cars. Everything he uses(minus the products) and steps he takes is what I, and any other proper detailer I know do. The one thing I find wrong with what he suggest is to take the car for a spin to knock out any remaining water. Once the car is driven, it has dust, debris, and god knows what else on the paint. He said to do that and then take a towel to it, don't do that. I have clients that I tell NOT to use a quick detailer once the car has left the driveway. Lots of people wipe their cars down at shows after they drove the car there, this is a bad idea. Other than that, this is a day in the life of a detailer. Once you have done it for long enough, you don't have to block out a whole day, I worked on a black R8 just yesterday. The wash took less than an hour, the claying, wet sanding, polishing, and other multiple washes took 9 hours. LOL Oh back to the original question. I know everyone is saying Griots, take a look at 1Z Einszett. They have a shampoo called Perls. FANTASTIC product. Made to use just once a month to help prolong the wax on your vehicle. I use it every week on my cars and its the only shampoo I use on my clients cars, very low sudsing but is super slick and is the only TRUE wash and wax product I have seen/used before.
I am thinking to buy TriNova car wash soap. Any member uses this soap before? Or I should stick with Griot's car wash soap. I am seeing here few members have good experience with Griot's car wash.
Ok. No answer yet. So, I have placed order of this trinova car wash soap from amazon https://www.amazon.com/Car-Wash-Concentrate-Conditioner-Microfiber/dp/B01JGPWXPO. I will check it performance and write more details that it's working or not.
I use Adams car wash soap in my foam cannon/pressure washer. The combination gives me a thick 2" soap coating that helps loosen dirt/debris and acts as a protective layer while washing the car. For drying I use a Metro Master blaster which virtually eliminates using towels for drying, which in turn minimizes the chance of spots, scratches and marring.
Hey, Frankie is on Fchat! Welcome Frankie...and thanks for the crab feed a while back, that was great fun.
