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re: Car washing essentials

Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:10 am to
Posted by pwejr88
Red Stick
Member since Apr 2007
37960 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:10 am to
Black magic for tires
Rain-X for windshield
Windex for windows
Armor-all wipes for interior
Tuff-stuff for stains
And when washing use a sponge not a washcloth or towel
Posted by Ebrow21
Lutcher, La.
Member since Apr 2015
63 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:11 am to
The best products are whatever products you actually use.

Personally, I think the method is as important as the product.

2 buckets, one with soap and one to rinse the wash rag before you re-dip. Microfibers are cheap in bulk at Costco

1 Drying towel

Product wise, I use a soap concentrate (chemical guys stuff is pretty popular). I also use a capful of waterless wash (duragloss, etc) in the water. It helps with water spots.

Good Detailer spray. I premix my own stuff from either Ultima or Optimum. Spray the detailer while you dry the car.

Tires and trim - I use Carpro Perl.

Interior - Meguiars isnt bad for dash/interior cleaner. I prefer the non shiny look. I use their all purpose cleaner for rubber floor mats and such. Sonax Dash cleaner.

Leather - Lexol or Smartleather

Carpet that the Meguiars APC cant get - Ultima has a good spray in cleaner.

I also use a microfiber specific soap in the washer, and wash it all in a specific load. Dry on low heat or it kills the absorbency of the towels.


Edit: Almost forgot. Sonax Full Effect for wheels/Brake dust. Touch free product most of the time. Wash wheels by hand with throw away cotton towels every third time or so. Great for wheels, but try to avoid concentrate contact with skin.
This post was edited on 5/11/18 at 7:14 am
Posted by SPEEDY
2005 Tiger Smack Poster of the Year
Member since Dec 2003
88378 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:11 am to
quote:

I’d suggest the bucket grid and two bucket method.



On a car that has been subjected to this:

quote:

Admittedly I have never really been one to wash my car except for a few times here and there. I’ve always taken the lazy route and gone through the wash


The two bucket method isn’t really gonna help him. That paint on that car has to already be swirled out to the max
This post was edited on 5/11/18 at 7:14 am
Posted by DownSouthDave
Member since Jan 2013
7528 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:18 am to
Foam gun
Good wash mitt
Bucket with grit guard
Dry with blower
Quick detailer after with a good towel
Posted by JackieTreehorn
Member since Sep 2013
35576 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:33 am to
If you do take it to a car wash just be careful.
Posted by JT4UA
Atlanta, GA
Member since Jun 2010
187 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:37 am to
There are tons and tons of products and brands you can use.

Look at Adams, Mastersons, Poor Boys, Shine Supply, McKees 37 for online purchases. Griots Garage is a great brand and you can purchase their brand at Advance Auto.

The things I would buy is of course your car soap, one 5 gallon bucket, 3-4 wash mitts, one big drying towel, some All Purpose Cleaner/Degreaser (Super Clean, Purple Power) for your tires and some wheel cleaner. If you have en electric leaf blower that will dry your car off even faster.

I wouldn't do the two bucket method. Go and get you 3-4 microfiber wash mitts and a nice bucket of soapy water. Just use one wash mitt for the top, hood and trunk and the others for each side and put them in another bucket. Saves water and you don't spend the extra money for grit guards.

If you want to go more into detail you can get a foam gun with an electric or gas pressure washer. The foam cannon is great to spray on the vehicle and use as a pre wash. Go to Autogeek.com and you can get lots of info and how tos and the right products you need.

You could also do a rinseless wash which is becoming very popular. Ammo NYC has a new kit that has the pump spray, Ammo Frothe (rinseless wash), hydrating spray and two microfiber towels that I have seen is awesome.

You have unlimited resources these days on car washing.
This post was edited on 5/11/18 at 7:40 am
Posted by PrimeTime Money
Houston, Texas, USA
Member since Nov 2012
28116 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:38 am to
If you’re just looking to wash your car and not be a detail pro, the absolute essentials are:

1. A pack of microfiber towels. You can get them at Walmart. Use them as all-purpose towels to dry the car and clean various things.

2. Car wash shampoo. I like Meguiar’s Gold Class. You can get a big jug of it at Walmart.

3. Wax. Many options here. I like Meguiar’s NXT tech wax. Waxes from companies like Meguiar’s, Mother’s, Zaino, etc. are all good. Stay away from Turtle Wax, Armor All, etc.

4. Wash mit and bucket. Easily found at Walmart. People recommend using two buckets... one with plain water to rinse out your mitt of dirt each time before you stick it in the soapy water bucket. It’s up to you if you care about reducing the possibility of scratching your paint to that level.

5. A brush to clean in between the spokes of your rims. It’s hard to get in there without a specialized brush.

6. Tire shine. I’d go for a tire shine with a bit of sheen instead of a high gloss. High gloss looks tacky. I’d stick with Meguiar’s brand. As far as off the shelf stuff Meguiar’s is very good.


If you want to learn more about all kinds of auto detail stuff, this site is one of the best with helpful guides. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know right here:

https://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/
This post was edited on 5/11/18 at 7:45 am
Posted by ELLSSUU
Member since Jan 2005
8153 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:48 am to
My routine includes

Foam Gun and Power washer using Pink or Honeydew soap. Let it sit. Power wash off. Be careful with the power washer b/c it can take the paint off too.

Two bucket method with grit guards and quality mits.

Blower to dry and then Griots Garage drying towels to finish. Griots detail spray after.

Tornador on interior using a mix of Woolite and water. Followed by vacuum. If it's really dirty I'll pull out a steamer before vacuuming.

A little over an hour for each car once a week.
This post was edited on 5/11/18 at 7:49 am
Posted by CptRusty
Basket of Deplorables
Member since Aug 2011
11740 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 7:59 am to
Adams or Chemical Guys
Posted by randybobandy
NOLA
Member since Mar 2015
2200 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:05 am to
Apply a thick layer of turtle wax. Drive around town for 2-3 weeks to allow proper drying time. Then just wipe it off.
Posted by djangochained
Gardere
Member since Jul 2013
19185 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:11 am to
Juan and his wife Carmen get my shite clean

Carmen uses toothbrushes for the cracks
This post was edited on 5/11/18 at 8:12 am
Posted by i am dan
NC
Member since Aug 2011
32389 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:12 am to
bucket, wash mitt, water, Zipwax

Simple and around $12. Probably enough to last at least two years.
Posted by TheFonz
Somewhere in Louisiana
Member since Jul 2016
23557 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:16 am to
Posted by ConfusedHawgInMO
Member since Apr 2014
3578 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:18 am to
quote:

by pwejr88
Black magic for tires


I hate shiny tires. I prefer Stoners More Shine. I think it makes them look new. Stoners Trim Shine on any black plastic, but I think they are interchangeable for the most part.
Posted by 7thWardTo314
Member since May 2017
1410 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:20 am to
quote:

Black magic for tires
Rain-X for windshield
Windex for windows
Armor-all wipes for interior
And when washing use a sponge not a washcloth or towel



Holy frick. None of this

Armor all extreme tire shine gel. Lasts 2-3 weeks. Apply 2 coats.
Wash, polish, and the seal your windshield using a sealant like chemical guys JetSeal
Any window cleaner will do. The secret to windows is to fold a microfiber in fourths and clean with one side, flip over and dry with the other
Never use armor all on your interior. Will dry the plastics and crack them over time. I suggest SmartDressing by smartwax. Gives it a natural shine, not that greasy armor all shine, and lasts for 3-4 months+. It last 3 months in my vehicle and I ride with my windows down

Wash with 2 bucket method and a nice soft Wash glove. Wipe in one direction

Dry with a waffle weave folded in fourths.
Posted by celltech1981
Member since Jul 2014
8139 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:24 am to
zip car wash, a bucket, a brush, some of those mits, and a towel to dry it. if you want to go crazy get a pump up sprayer and fill with distilled water. rinse with that. oh a squeegee as well.
Posted by houstontyga
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2004
4193 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:47 am to
Get Ceramic Coating and don’t look back. Makes washing your car so much easier.
Posted by jordan21210
Member since Apr 2009
14228 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 8:47 am to
If you want to do it right, you need to wash, clay, polish, and seal/wax. That requires a lot of elbow grease.

If you just want to do a better job than an automatic wash does and you don’t reallt care about spider webs and scratches in your clear coat, then get:
- two 5 gallon buckets
- two grit guards for the buckets
- wheel cleaner and a wheel brush
- good microfiber wash mitt
- good microfiber drying towels
- good microfiber detailing towels
- a high quality soap
- a high quality quick wax
(Meguiars and Griott’s products are good if you’re going to auto zone.)

1st use two buckets, one for dirty water one for clean soapy water. After you clean a section, rinse the mitt in the dirty water bucket.

2nd wash the wheels first. Then refill your buckets bc you’ll have a ton of brake dust in the dirty water bucket.

3rd wash one section at a time in a shady area (preferably). Start at the top of the vehicle and work down. Keep the paint wet at all times if it’s warm out, if water dries you’ll get water spots.

4th dry vehicle immediately. Use a shop vac or leaf blower to speed up the process and knock water out of crevices. Be careful not to blow dust/dirt/grass on the vehicle.

5th use a quick wax for added protection between washes.

6th put some tire dressing on the tires. I like the Lucas Oil tire dressing and I apply it with Eagle One tire shine applicators.

Those are the basics. There’s a TON more I left out, check autogeek.com for more info and good products.
Posted by JoePepitone
Waffle House #1494
Member since Feb 2014
12210 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 9:07 am to
quote:

Check out autogeek.com they have everything you need


I have tons of car washing accessories but the best one I own is a boar bristle brush attached to a telescoping stainless steel pole. I have a F-150 and the brush makes washing it so much easier.

ETA: I believe it’s autogeek.net.
This post was edited on 5/11/18 at 9:12 am
Posted by LCA131
Home of the Fake Sig lines
Member since Feb 2008
77704 posts
Posted on 5/11/18 at 9:13 am to
quote:

I have a F-150


You aren't even allowed to post here... beat it.
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