what are the best procedures to wash a car

[viper20]

hello, what are the best steps to take in order to get the best results from washing your car and to minimize scratching? Thanks

[Teak]

Do avoid wash scratches, I rinse the car well before washing the car. For the wash I use a car wash which provides good lubricancy and quality real wool wash mitts.

Eric

[gb387]

You might also pick up a Grit Guard you place them in the bucket of soapy water. They work very well and help trap the nasty grity/sandy/scratch the paint stuff in the bottom of the bucket.

IMO the best soap meguiars makes is Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo & Conditioner I feel that it provides the slickest surface to remove the dirt from the car.

[DSG Man]

Another view. I use the cotton chenille wash mitts rather than wool. In my opinion they are softer and allow for some dirt to be trapped in fibers between rinsing (of the mitt). Also consider using the two or three bucket method to rinse off the mitt between washing each panel of the car. I also use a seperate mitt for the lower 25% of the car, and another older mitt to do around the wheel well lips and bottom edge of bumpers.

Lastly, consider trying a leaf blower at least once to dry off the car. If it is waxed regularly, water will literally fly off the paint and you won't even need to rub it even more to dry the car off. Just my opinion...the less you touch the car with anything, the longer it takes before spider scratches appear or before you have to wax the car again.

Depending on the size of the car, using a leaf blower to dry it (in the shade, of course) does not take much longer than using a towel or some sort.

[Carrera]

I just wanted to comment that electic leaf blowers are extremly useful in order to blow water away. I've been using a blower for over 2 years. I have a "Weed Eater" one. Air compressors are great to, but with a blower you get a wider displecement area. It is amazing how much water comes our of the nicks and cramies. I would not consider washing my motorcycle without the blower to dry it. It is also very important to wear ear muffs in order to protect your hearing from the noise.

[Marc08EX]

Question guys about the leaf blower, doesn't it blow dust from the inside? I mean there might be dust trapped inside the device and it might be blown into the car? Is this possible? Thanks.

[Carrera]

I have not had any dust problems with the leaf blower. After using it, I keep it in the original box.

[Marc08EX]

Originally posted by Carrera
I have not had any dust problems with the leaf blower. After using it, I keep it in the original box.

We just hang it in the garage.. We don't store it in the box.. well, do you use it to blow dust in your backyard or somewhere in the house? It blows the dust away and recirculates some, right? That's why I was concerned.. Thanks!

[Carrera]

I use the leaf blower exclusivly for blowing water away from my cars and motorcycle. Bear in mind that when drying a car or bike the area surrounding the vehicle is wet, so there is no dust arround. I also do my wahing and detailing in a closed garage. After finishig, I take the vehice for a short drive.

[DSG Man]

Originally posted by Carrera
I use the leaf blower exclusivly for blowing water away from my cars and motorcycle. Bear in mind that when drying a car or bike the area surrounding the vehicle is wet, so there is no dust arround. I also do my wahing and detailing in a closed garage. After finishig, I take the vehice for a short drive.

Dittos on that. My leaf blower stays right in my trunk. If you are worried about a little dust, tap the leaf blower lightly against something. But if you keep it in a clean environment you should not have any trouble with it.

[Marc08EX]

Originally posted by DSG Man
Dittos on that. My leaf blower stays right in my trunk. If you are worried about a little dust, tap the leaf blower lightly against something. But if you keep it in a clean environment you should not have any trouble with it.

I'm from AZ and it's a little dusty because of the desert landscapes.. Hehehe! Thanks though!

[SprintKing]

although im fairly new to this
i currently use gold class wash & meguiars lambs wool mitten with a wash & rinse bucket. Seems to be a few ppl on here that do the same so i figured y not copy the experts

[viper20]

hey guys thanks a lot for the info i will def try the leaf blower

[Bill D]

Focusing solely on the washing part, this has got to be the ultimate, but labor intensive way I've ever seen:

http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35232

[TOGWT]

~One man’s opinion / observations~

Not as extreme (as Accumalator’s method, although I do use it in a moderated form for the MB) and a lot less time needed …

Washing Vehicle:
Clean the vehicle in this order: Roof, front hood, front fenders, doors, rear fenders, doors, rear deck lid, rear fenders, and rear of vehicle, then clean wheel surfaces, tyres, wheel fenders and finally engine compartment. This is usually a progression from the least to the most soiled areas.

·To reduce the risk of scratching paint finish start by thoroughly rinsing the vehicle to remove loose surface dirt and grime. Use a gentle spray (Ultimate Nozzle) you don't want to cause abrasion to the paint surface, take your time and be careful and you'll avoid paint damage.
·Apply a tar remover (Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover) on lower panels, using a soft 100% cotton cloth to avoid contaminating your wash mitt.
·Use a quality car wash shampoo specifically formulated for automotive use, one that contains conditioning lubricants (Zymol Clear Auto BatheTM) that enable abrasive particles to rinse off without abrading the paints surface.
·Use the recommended water / car wash ratio as per manufactures label; usually this is 1-2 oz per gallon. (2-4 capfuls) Too much wash concentrate will leave a sticky film on the paint and glass surfaces that will attract dirt / dust.
·Fill two 5-gallon buckets (Grit GuardTm) with warm, not hot water. One is for wash solution the other for rinsing the mitt to ensure that any abrasive dirt particles are not put into the wash solution.
·While the vehicle is still wet from the rinse load the sheepskin mitt with wash solution and apply to horizontal surfaces (roof, hood and trunk lid) and then thoroughly rise with hose.
·Use a separate mitt for the lower vertical surfaces as these collect more road film, pay special attention to rinsing this mitt, so ensure nothing is transferred to the other surfaces from a contaminated mitt.
·Apply wash solution to vertical surfaces and rinse thoroughly.
·Use a soft boars hairbrush to clean bumpers, plastic trim and all the crevices.

~Hope this helps~

Knowledge unshared is experience wasted
justadumbarchitect / so I question everything/ Jon