Hi guys, I was wondering how you go about washing your cars?

I'd just rinse, dry, then wax.

do you guys use car soap, or anything? brands?

 

I only use "soap" on my car prior to the first wax of the year (Dawn dish soap) It does pretty well removing any leftover residues, road grime, bugs, etc... But don't use it too often, because it will remove your wax as well. From that point on for the rest of the year, I only use Griots Spray-On Car Wash (waterless). Kinda pricey, but it works really well.

 

Depends on the color :P if my car wasn't black I'd have a lot easier time pretty much any wash involves either a detail spray, wax job, or clay bar to keep it shiny

 

I just use warm water when I wash it. No soap or anything.

 

gary dean method as i live in an apt hv no access to running water... but if i see heavy soil or anything.. i take it to the manual car wash station for just pressure wash...
even then i had lot of swirls... ended up opti-coating it... two months now.. going good.

 

this is what I do.

I was just wondering if it would look better if I'd use a soap product.

 

My car is black, so yeah :/

 

Not always, but sometimes I use Meguiar's, Eagle One, or Mother's car wash (the big jugs for about $5). You mix about a capful or two to a bucket of warm water. I feel it cuts debris (like bug leftovers) pretty well and leaves a nice shine. Of course it is shining because of the wax underneath too. I find it does help and it is really good at cleaning the rims too. Plain water just doesn't cut it sometimes.

 

This was the kind of thing I was thinking of.

Because of where I work, my car can get really dirty sometimes.

 

Both my cars are show winners and there is more to washing a car than wash and dry. First of all lets say there are many products available from many suppliers. For the sake of this demonstration I am going to be talking about Griot's supplies. they have a website if your interested.
Step one is to prep the car. Depending on the environment this may only need to be done once a year. Start by wet claying the car. Step two, buff with polish if needed. I would do a light buff as a minimum. Step three, a good coat of wax. This will make the car easier to wash and dry in the long run because less effort will be needed.
When washing a car use a good car wash. one that will not strip wax. Keep the car wet after you wash each area until your ready to dry this will reduce water spots if it drys before you finish washing it. Sometimes I just take an absorbent shammy and dry the car and follow up with a polishing shammy to remove anything left over. Other time before I dry I will use a spray on wax then dry. This increases the life of your original first wax. The Griot's websight has a lot of demo videos to watch. Since they are local for me I actually went down to a couple of personal demonstrations. Below are the results even on a partially cloudy day. hope this helps. the blue shows it well and white does no because that is just what white does.

 

USAMuscle. Dish washing soap will strip wax in one or two washings. In fact I use it to clean my buffing pads when done. If you want to remove all the excess road and grime which dish soap will not really do, you really want to wet clay bar it. Try it you will be amazed, I have done spots On friends vehicles and they could not believe the out come.

 

MRP5150 you should never use just water. The reason for that is the emulsions in soap or in waterless spray washes will help keep any dirt from scratching the paint. even fine dust can scratch.

 

That would be a perfect use for a product like we discussed above.

 

How do you guys dry the car? I find drying it is the biggest pain to do.. Alwaslys get streaks. Any recommendations?

 

I love Croftgate products and it is waterless. So much easier and less time!

 

Leaf blower....works best

 

I have had good results hand drying with microfiber towels after using a "no spotting/spot free" rinse.

As far as a complete wash cycle goes it depends on how much time I have, and the last time I have done an in depth wash.

Quick Wash (1hr 30 min or so):

-Spray heavy soil areas with Bug & Tar Remover
-Spray tires and wheels with cleaner
-Wash with Soap
-Rinse, then "spot free" rinse
-Hand Dry wheels then vehicle
-Apply Tire Shine
-Clean Windows and wiper blades(towel and spray)
-Spot vacuum, wipe interior

In depth Wash (3 hours and beyond)

-Spray heavy soil areas with Bug & Tar Remover
-Spray tires and wheels with cleaner
-Wash with Soap
-Rinse, then "spot free" rinse
-Hand Dry wheels
-Clay Bar / Detail Spray
-2nd "spot free" rinse (optional)
-Hand Dry rest of vehicle
-Apply Tire Shine
-Apply Wax and wipe clean
-Razor Blade Clean Windows
-Clay Bar Windows
-Clean Windows and wiper blades(towel and spray)
-Full vacuum and interior wipe down

Here is how the stang looked today after 3 and half hours of washing:
(saw an SN95 and S197 parked nearby so I stopped and took some pics)



Blue S197 next to it:

 

TMS has a specific area on the forum for this

https://themustangsource.com/f659/

 

Holy crap that stuff is good!! Just watched some demo videos on it.. Thanks!!

Yes ive heard of this.. Seen videos too, but i dont have a leaf blower. Hope theyre not expensive lol

Thanks for all the tips!

 

Yes Croftgate is AMAZING. I use it myself and it makes cleaning soooo much easier!