View Full Version : How to wash your car
FinerDetails
11-05-2006, 12:05
I've had a few PM now regarding this, and can't keep typing this out so here's a walk through :D
Equipment required:
2 x buckets
2 x washing mitts
4 inch sponge
1 x hose with gun attachment
1 x pressure washer (optional)
1 x shampoo
1 x MF cloth for drying
Process:
Add the recommended amount of shampoo to the bucket and add the required warm water. (adding too much or too little is equally wasteful). Now fill the second bucket with just warm water.
Rinse the car using either a pressure washer or a hose. Try to use a trigger gun if using a hose and rinse the car from roof down. Pay particular attention to the areas that are subject to the highest volumes of contamination (sills, wheel arches etc).
Using the first wash mitt dip the mitt into the first bucket containing the shampoo. Clean ¼ of the roof section, ensuring to work in straight lines. DO NOT scrub, or use circular motions. Once you have completed this section, submerge the mitt into the second bucket and shake to release any dirt/grit. Dip back into the shampoo mixture and clean the next ¼ section. Then rinse in the clear water before moving to next roof section. Continue with this process until the upper half of the car is clean.
Then rinse out the first mitt and leave to dry in a clean place. Using the second mitt, follow the same process as above, and clean the lower sections. Remember to work cleanest areas first and complete dirtiest last. This ensures the shampoo mixture remains as clean as possible. Once all the paintwork is completed, rinse out the second mitt and store. Make sure to know which mitt is upper body panels and lower. Never use the lower panel mitt on upper panels. As time passes you will find the lower panel mitt will need replacing before the upper.
Now rinse the whole car free of shampoo. To do this, either just an open ended hose, or a shower type trigger spray. ‘Water chase’ the water from roof down, following the flow until you reach the lower sills.
Using the first bucket and the 4 inch sponge clean the front alloys/trims and rinse. Empty the bucket contents. Using the second bucket (this will now have sufficient shampoo from rinsing the wash mitts in it, clean the rear wheels, rinse and empty bucket contents.
Fill one bucket with warm water. Using a MF cloth (ideal are Meguiars Water Magnet (£10 ish), dry the car from roof down. If the cloth gets any dirt whatsoever on it, rinse in the bucket and ring dry.
If the MF cloth does become dirty over time, wash in the machine, on 40 degrees, with no softener, powder only.
I hope this helps everyone?
Regards
Iain
Doesn't a pressure washer add to the marks left on a car, when rinsing the car initially...??
I apologise if this isn't the case..??
FinerDetails
11-05-2006, 12:11
only if you stand within 10-12 inch of the car...
Thanks Iain thats a get help, thanks for the version copy too...
Now just need to call you and go thou, "how to rid your black car of swirl marks, volume 1" lol
Also do you know any detailers in the essx area at all?
FinerDetails
11-05-2006, 12:22
will ask about for you Slick! Will send you PM if find someone I can recommend
useful info so thread is stuck :)
Iain, Ive bloody looked everywhere for that Hose Attachment, with the Shampoo Canister attachment. Ebay/Halfords/Garden Centres/ etc...... Cmmon give me some more clues ???
Scotty_b
11-05-2006, 13:21
Im not a fan of the pressure washer (as its seems to be a bit violent) whats the pros and cons of using one? Im currently just using a hose (well a bucket due to the shortage!) But im wondering if it would be advisabel to take the car too the jet wash (the DIY one) and giveing it a blast off before i start with the buckets.
Ow by the way i replied to your thread on DW if no one gets back to you
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hosecoil-Suds-Blaster-Pro-Soap-Rinse-Nozzle_W0QQitemZ8047083747QQcategoryZ72201QQcmdZViewItem
there you go mate, got mine from these guys.
Work's well, pic of mine:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/JKGTI/Cupra/Blaster.jpg
Wooo Hoooo Thanks very much M8.
Right, who can recommend a soapy product that will cover the car in thick suds, ready for washing
snow foam!
http://www.autobritedirect.co.uk/index.php?cPath=167&osCsid=4760da39e423dc84753306f9909c812b
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2383/snowfoam0052eo.jpg
get on www.detailingwolrd.co.uk
FinerDetails
11-05-2006, 13:58
Hooray, correct products and good advice! Nice one Jking.
iain
:D I'm trying to educate my friends and relatives. Hard work though but I'm getting there. Having an afternoon session with the PC on mine this weekend. Poorboys SSR2.5, Autoglym SRP, Megs NXT tech wax and maybe some AG EGP.
FinerDetails
12-05-2006, 10:21
me too, but no pics for some time, I'm just trialling some stuff you guys will get to see the results of next weekend! Mega mega post on its way!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hosecoil-Suds-Blaster-Pro-Soap-Rinse-Nozzle_W0QQitemZ8047083747QQcategoryZ72201QQcmdZViewItem
there you go mate, got mine from these guys.
Work's well, pic of mine:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/JKGTI/Cupra/Blaster.jpg
Gutted bought one of these along with some snow foam, doesnt bloody work very well, unless im doing something wrong ! only works when i use my Jet wash, with canister, that keeps falling off, !!!!
FinerDetails
19-05-2006, 07:54
must be you mate, you saw mine being demo'd, so what you doing wronmg me ole spack
Fat chance living in the South East!!!
at risk of changing the subject slightly, how should you wash your car if, like a lot of us down here, you've got a hosepipe ban to contend with.......?
anyone tried this? http://www.drywashcars.co.uk/8.html
looks great
NOT
plenty of scope for rubbing lumps of grit all over your nice paintwork no doubt......
must be you mate, you saw mine being demo'd, so what you doing wronmg me ole spack
I mean with the snow foam, i think the power of the hose is not strong enough, it creates a small lathering but nothing like from the Jet Wash !!!!
WatchHill
19-05-2006, 09:51
Gutted bought one of these along with some snow foam, doesnt bloody work very well, unless im doing something wrong ! only works when i use my Jet wash, with canister, that keeps falling off, !!!!
You're not alone. Detailing World is a little polarized between those who think these are great and those who think they are a waste of time.
..I'm in the latter camp BTW!
FinerDetails
19-05-2006, 10:18
at risk of changing the subject slightly, how should you wash your car if, like a lot of us down here, you've got a hosepipe ban to contend with.......?
I have used QEW but its only really designed for car with a very slight duct of dirt, other than that, my advice would be, in the rain, and using a wtaering can.
The rain will help wet the car and for you to avoid any swirling etc, neighbours will think you are tapped tho :rolleyes: :whistle:
FinerDetails
19-05-2006, 10:19
I mean with the snow foam, i think the power of the hose is not strong enough, it creates a small lathering but nothing like from the Jet Wash !!!!
sounds like you need more power (pressure) captain :p ;)
sounds like you need more power (pressure) captain :p ;)
But Captain i canna give you anymore..........
FinerDetails
19-05-2006, 11:39
typical, all show and no go :p ;)
I use that exact phase about my missus.... :lol:
She cant hear me say it thou, just mumble it...:duck: :runaway:
Damn KENT hose pipe bans.
I have resorted to a plastic bin full of water and an extendable handle big fluffy brush like you get at the jet wash.
Damn KENT hose pipe bans.
I have resorted to a plastic bin full of water and an extendable handle big fluffy brush like you get at the jet wash.
What u do is drive to a friendly mates house and wash your car at his... thats what i did last weekend.... lol
at risk of changing the subject slightly, how should you wash your car if, like a lot of us down here, you've got a hosepipe ban to contend with.......?
Got this from DW:
1)fill a bucket and let your pressure washer pick it up works fine especialy if you ahve buckt up high but does seem to strain the washer
Or wash your car in the dark!
stevie.w
14-10-2006, 23:29
my car is the ovni yellow color and i find it very hard to keep clean, dirt seems to show up very bad on it, what wax do all you guys recommend, i seem to always get a lot of swirling, i just use autoglym, i hear meguiars is good stuff
stoneyfordNI
14-10-2006, 23:32
meguiars nxt gen shampoo and gold class shampoo 50/50 mix , with a lambs wool mitt ,
clay bar every month , and nattys blue paste wax , megs nxt gen quik detailer .
megs tyre shine
Dolly_Gti
16-10-2006, 22:23
i got a bucket and some fairy liquid and a sponge :) super duper
Megamunch
12-05-2007, 22:24
i got a bucket and some fairy liquid and a sponge :) super duper
I'm the same lol
Does it really matter if you use warm or cold water when shampooing the car??
My outdoor hose is cold only y'know!
mr.aston
09-07-2007, 10:19
i got a bucket and some fairy liquid and a sponge :) super duper
Don't know if ur joking here or not dolly but you REALLY SHOULDNT use Fairy liquid or anyother kind for that matter! They're engineered to eat through grease... & have a nasty habbit of eating through your cars wax!
took a few hours, but found the thread
http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=347865&page=1
hows that for cleanage
5imonharri5
15-07-2007, 04:17
took a few hours, but found the thread
http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=347865&page=1
hows that for cleanage
Thats wrong on so many levels. Still I suppose i'll be the same when mine comes.:rolleyes:
took a few hours, but found the thread
http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=347865&page=1
hows that for cleanage
I thought I was fussy!!!
I'm sure he missed a bit...
the rear seat leather looked a bit loose to me :shrug:
a bit OTT really
alex.beckett
14-05-2008, 15:57
I have to dissagree on the point that you made about using warm water, you should'nt use warm water to wash the car as this can dissolve any salts or grains that there may be on the car at the time into the paintwork, also sticking to the sponge/mit acting like sandpaper.
Alex
Cold water also dissolves salt though :S
Going away from any current topic here..
Which mitts should I use? I have no idea which are the best.
Thanks
lee-bowman
09-06-2008, 12:36
that astra is also on Detailing World and is a massive thread....i think it is pretty awesome imo, quite OTT but does show how "brand new" paint isnt that brand new :)
after having my Accord Type R paint corrected it is amazing how easily fine scratches can appear from bad car washing......trying to adopt the 2 bucket method but keep forgetting
FinerDetails
09-06-2008, 18:05
Going away from any current topic here..
Which mitts should I use? I have no idea which are the best.
Thanks
to be honest anything half decent will do. Even the cosatco ones. Its more about using them gently, and rinsing continuously rather than spending 10 notes on the lambs wool thingies.
scarface
13-10-2008, 11:47
what a vxr! that car is soooo clean!
judge360
18-04-2009, 15:14
the proper way to was a car:)
jamiebennett81
18-04-2009, 16:51
took a few hours, but found the thread
http://www.corsasport.co.uk/board/viewthread.php?tid=347865&page=1
hows that for cleanage
I know it's sad, but I genuinely really enjoyed reading that detailing thread now....oh dear:(
How do you guys clean the windows inside and out? I've tried various products but can't get rid of smears. Thanks in advance.
i thought it was ott when he washed the vxr after using the clay bar and now i dont even know what to think
Hello
quick question what's the best snow car shampoo to use due to i know you can get a pre wash?any ideas?
Buzz Lightyear
28-08-2010, 19:35
I take my car to the local car wash, the polish make a great job of my car. They wax it all for 5 bucks !
How do you guys clean the windows inside and out? I've tried various products but can't get rid of smears. Thanks in advance.
I use autoglym glass polish, I find the windolene style liquids pretty useless. Polish with a polishing sponge then buff off with a microfibre, do it before you clean the inside though, it gets a bit dusty!
StealthInspired
19-04-2011, 10:17
I mean with the snow foam, i think the power of the hose is not strong enough, it creates a small lathering but nothing like from the Jet Wash !!!!
I recently picked up a Car Jetwash Head attachment that I bought from *COUGH* TK-MAX.
It attaches to the end of your garden Hose, and provides a handful of different settings, bit like your power shower head, and rotates on the end! :D
It also has a bottle attachment underneath that you can fill with car shampoo etc.
Will fill it with some Snow Foam and see if it provides enough strength to be effective. ;)
My car also appreciates it, after a wash, when I set the head attachment to the pulsating massage setting. LOL :redface: