How do you guys wash your cars?

I used to work at a Car Wash where we would wash all sorts of cars from Geos to Audi A8s and Vanquishes to Scuderias. As far as the nicer cars went we would usually "hand wash" them meaning we would use fluffy sponges full of soap and rub the car down with them, then spray them off with power washers (from far away). Now I know some of you will scream sacrilege at that method and I since haven't worked at the car wash so I'm not sure if they have changed that at all. I detail cars at my house now though and I was curious how you guys do it and what you use.

 

*Never in the sun
*Two five gallon buckets for washing the paint, one for soapy water, one for rinsing the mitt
*Two grit guards
*One three gallon bucket for wheels
*Sheepswool mitt (a good one)
*Good car wash
*Wash the wheels and tires first using three gallon bucket, a microfiber mitt dedicated to the wheels, a Daytona wheel brush and some Megs APC
*Clean exhaust tips with items in three gallon bucket
*Pre-soak car with water to loosen dirt, spraying from top to bottom
*Using the sheepswool mitt, dip into soapy water and proceed to wash from the roof, to the back window to the windshield
*Dip mitt into clear 5 gal bucket and agitate against the grit guard to loosen dirt
*Dip mitt back into soapy bucket and proceed to wash paint using long, straight strokes (no rubbing circular motions). Repeat these last two things as necessary.
*I wash the vehicle from the top down because the largest concentration of dirt is at the bottom of the car and I do not wish to contaminate my mitt with dirt particles which will scratch the paint.
*When I am done washing, I blow the car dry with a 260mph electric leaf blower.
*I pull it into the garage and use a very soft microfiber towel to get the remaining drops and drips.

I try to minimize touching the paint as much as possible. Typically washing and drying are when you're most likely to get marring, swirl marks and scratches. Moreso washing than anything because, if you do not have good wash technique, you'll drag dirt particles around the surface and scratch the crap out of it.

RMX

 

Or you can do as I do and just drive at 260 MPH for a while until dry... depends on your
neighborhood I guess....




Jedi

 

If the car is really dirty I use PS21 Total was on the nose, wheels, and area right behind the wheels. Otherwise I just wash it down with ONR. Mist with some FK 425 and dry.

ONR video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYOAyxsEIuQ&feature=fvw

 

What about waxing and such? I just clay barred my civic and waxed it recently. Do you guys bother with that kind of stuff at all or do you just leave that to detailing companies?

 

I take my BMW to the dealership every Saturday for a complimentary wash.

 

I used to specifically tell my dealership NOT to wash mine (after service) because they really swirled it once. Just be careful. No one has washed my car but me and the dealership a few times in the last 7 years.

Edit: I wash/clay/polish/wax/etc myself... takes hours but it's something I enjoy.

 

Remix explanation was great. The only thing I would add is to always inspect everything for foreign particles before touching the car.Use very little pressure. You would be surprised what microfiber cloths pic up if your not careful. Then I use .35 mil painters plastic, 12 x 400 ft . I cover it in the garage after washes to keep it dust free. Just throw it away after.

 

Thanks, but I'll take my chances. It's been 95* everyday here.

 

Ill be honest.

I dont really take any pride in ownership. My cars have always been filthy 80% of the time.

When they do get washed its just a $30 hand wash at the local car wash.

 

I don't like "dirty" cars.

When I first got my F430, I washed it every week in a coin op wash rack (I couldn't wash it at home). Now, I have it washed every week by a great guy who loves to do it -- so I don't mind paying him. I would do it if I had more time. The dealer also details it about every 2 months or so.

You might think a coin op wash rack is not the place for an F430 but people really love coming up and seeing the car. So, I don't mind.

The Maserati I send through a semi-automated system that doesn't use brushes. It comes out great. Never had a problem. The dealer gives it a complete detail once and a while.

 

I would recommend against this if you like your paint. Looks like you have a white vehicle, so swirls aren't as noticeable as they are on a black car like mine. I am VERY particular.

When you use a dirty mitt and dirty water, it's like dragging sandpaper across your paint.

Since it's so damn hot down here, I wash less in the summer. When I do wash, I do it in the morning or toward sunset.

A good coat of sealant like Rejex will keep the car clean between washes. I will hose off my car once a week and then blow it dry with a leaf blower and it will look 90% as good as it does when it's fully washed. The nice thing is NOTHING touches the paint.

Once a year I will clay and fully polish the car with Menzerna compound and a good DA buffer. Here are before and after pics of my Corvette. Look how bad it was - this is what careless washing looks like on a black car. When I was done, it looked like you could stick your hand into the paint. These pics were taken with bare paint, no wax at all.
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I get the 360 cleaned once a week by either the guy that comes by my office, or I run it through the local automated car wash that it can clean the wheel rails. 5 or 6 times a year it gets the full detail job. Mine us driven daily in all weather and is dirty in about two days after a wash, so the 19 dollar quickie works fine for me.

The 328 is too low for any automated system so it is always handwashed.

 

I can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to wash just an exterior. There's way too much room for this or that from car to car to explain in detail.

 

I love the Optimum No Rinse. I can wash the F355 in 15 minutes. So I have no issue washing the Ferrari every time I come back from a drive.
You got me curious about the Finish Kare 425. Gonna order some & give it try.

 

Jerry......you rock!

 

Nice desription, thanks.

 

Only thing I would add is for general washing I use Murphy's Oil Soap.

 

To remove brake dust and anything on the tires and wheels I use Roll-Off mixed 3/1 in a 409 spray bottle. Spray on and wash with soap and water after sitting 10 minutes. I buy a gallon at the marina. I use a microfiber cloth on the painted surfaces with dilute Meguiar's wash and dry with a microfiber cloth after blowing out the crevices with reversed shop-vac. For no water spots I dry a wet microfiber cloth in the dryer until just damp and go over the car once more.