I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

[Expertcarpetcare]

I cannot help but disagree with the car wash video made by meguiars instructing viewers to wash from the "top down". I have also seen this in other detailing vids and I cannot make sense of it and here is why.

When you wash from the top down, all the water and suds run down over the rest of the car before you had a chance to rub with the sponge/cloth. This creates "holes" where you think has been washed but has not. The water has now hidden where you cannot tell where you have washed and where you have not.

After the car is dry you are left with a multitude of "missed spots" that only appear after the car is dry.

When you wash from the bottom up, you are always running your wash mitt over a dry area when applying soap and agitation. By washing from the bottom up, your chance of missing any spots are significantly reduced and when the car dries you do not have patches of road grime all over it.

For the producers of these instructional videos and all that like to wash from the top down, please educate me as to why it is a better method?

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

I give it a try.

Washing from the top down, just makes sense to me. Why? Well I am washing the dirt is running down the sides. The top is clean. then you work on the sides. The dirt keeps running down. On a area that is still dirty. Not on a clean area. Keep on washing that way and the car is cleaned with minimal effort.

To me washing it the way you suggest, you would still have to wash it from the top down when finished. Why? to make sure your already cleaned area's are in fact clean.

Hope this helps explain why I do it from the top down.

[CHzo6]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

I've never forgotten a spot because it was wet. I always wash in sections, from the top down, so unless you have a very, very short memory, you should be fine.

[Fly Bye]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

This creates "holes" where you think has been washed but has not. The water has now hidden where you cannot tell where you have washed and where you have not.

After the car is dry you are left with a multitude of "missed spots" that only appear after the car is dry.

I don't have that problem in the least. I thoroughly go over the finish from the top down, it's not that hard to do. As far as why I start from the top and work my way down, I'm not even going to answer that, as the answer is obvious.

At 43, (44 years old in two days) my eyes are not like they were 15 years ago, my memory is not the greatest, but I know, and remember where I have, and haven't washed.

[Tuck91]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

If you take your time you will not miss any spots.

If your washing a really dirty car you will definitly not want to start from the bottom up, even with 2 buckets and grit guards.

I would never start washing the lower fenders then use the same wash mitt and soap solution to wash the hood and roof.

[Murr1525]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

Think of it as using the mitt at its cleanest to clean the cleanest part of the paint. That way, you have the lowest chance of causing swirls on the roof, hood, trunk, upper doors, etc. Then, when the mitt is dirtier (even after regular rinsing, etc) you are washing the dirtier part of the paint, and on a daily driver, probably has some rock chips and defects already.

I'll switch to an older mitt to do the sill/rail (whatever it is called), and where it tunrs under, and under the rear fenders, etc.

[davey g-force]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

Washing from ther top down makes sense because all the suds and dirt flow downward onto already dirty areas of the car, rather than onto clean areas.

Also, cars are generally cleaner at the top and get progressively dirtier as you move down. So you wouldn't want to contaminate your wash mitt/water at the very beginning of your wash and then wash relatively clean areas with a dirty mitt/water. I hope that makes sense...

When you wash from the bottom up, you are always running your wash mitt over a dry area when applying soap and agitation. By washing from the bottom up, your chance of missing any spots are significantly reduced and when the car dries you do not have patches of road grime all over it.

This statement is a bit of a worry. You shouldn't be washing a dry area anyway. Hence the need for pre-rinsing before washing to loosen dirt and minimise swirls.

If you wash one panel at a time, you shouldn't lose track of where you've washed.

[Lasthope05]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

Whoa! I can't tell if the OP is serious or just joking.

Definitely top to bottom for the reasons stated by the above members.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

If you are washing with the least invasive method you will only be going over each area once, but using a slight overlap with each pass. With this method you will cover the entire vehicle no matter whether or not you can see your soap.

If you are washing erratically and your all over the place you'll probably miss sections no matter which method you use.

That being said, I'm a fan of the top down method for all the reasons mentioned above.

[mb911]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

If you're washing a car that is very clean, it's not such a big deal.

However, most often cars will have extra grime and whatnot on the bottom, from the road, etc.

For that reason, better off keeping your buckets, wash materials, and water cleaner, longer by washing from the top down.

[JoeDirt]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

I agree- top down! No way I'd let dirty suds cascade down over a washed panel... That makes no sense to me...

[Michael Stoops]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

The bottom of the car is always the dirtiest and so should be saved for last. It only makes sense to remove the dirt from the least contaminated area first and work toward the most contaminated area in order to minimize carrying dirt from the most to least soiled areas. Of course, if you're doing a proper two bucket wash method the risk is minimized anyway, but washing top down minimizes it further.

If you're washing and rinsing one panel or section at a time the you shouldn't have a problem knowing what you have and haven't washed. As you wipe over the surface with a soapy wash mitt you leave a very noticeable trail behind, even on vertical surfaces. That alone should be enough of a guide as to what you have and haven't touched on a given panel.

Take your time, be methodical. Whether washing, claying, paint cleaning, polishing or waxing you have to be aware of the surface you're working on and pay attention to your coverage.

[aris]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

The only time i miss spots is when i'm in a rush....every time i take my time i never miss a spot..lol

[Alfisti]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

Also, washing from the top first allows the suds to run down the dirtier side panels and soften/rinse the dirt before you get to it.

[Shawn T.]

Re: I disagree with the Meguiar's Video! <gasp>

Also, washing from the top first allows the suds to run down the dirtier side panels and soften/rinse the dirt before you get to it.

I usually spray any portions that are especially dirty with a spray bottle filled with car wash solution. Also helps emulsify the dirt before hitting with the mitt after working from the top to the bottom.