The first thing you would like to do is pick a shaded area,
this will help in reducing any water spotting later. Items
you will need for this venture are : 2 buckets, car wash,
sheepskin mitt or microfiber mitt/towels, Waffle Weave drying
towel, wheel brush, hose nozzle, a safe wheel cleaner, and
some tire cleaner. Some folks like to clean wheels first,
so I won’t get into the particulars of that, its fairly
easy, and basic. Apply a safe wheel cleaner, to one wheel
at a time, clean with brush or suitable cleaning tool, rinse,
and continue to the next. While your car is cool, and hopefully
in the shade, start hosing the surface off with a high stream
of water, start at the top so dirt and contaminants fall
over non rinsed areas. Make sure to use a good stream to
any side moldings and emblems, you will be amazed at the
quantity of dirt hiding in there.
Continue to do this until the entire surface has been rinsed.
Remember, top to bottom.....Next add a couple oz of car
wash soap to bucket #1, and fill with water, add water to
bucket #2. With the sheepskin washmitt in hand, or whatever
you’ve selected to wash with, gently wipe the surface
with suds from a front to back motion, again, your starting
at the roof area, then trunk, then hood, then sides. Depending
on your speed, and if it is warm and dry out, you may need
to rinse each panel after washing, until you have completed
the car. Keep your cars surface wet until you’re completely
finished. When you find the need to re-dip your Sheepskin
in the suds, rinse it out in bucket #2, this will remove
dirt and contaminants from possibly further scratching the
surface. (Your going to want to make sure you have plenty
of soap (lubricant) on your sheepskin all the
while washing, this will help to suspend the dirt, and let
it be carried off during the rinse.) Use that method throughout
your washing. After the vehicle is completely finished,
remove the nozzle from the hose end, and let the water exit
the hose without any added pressure. Hold the hose a couple
inches from the roof surface, and start at the high end
of the vehicle. Chase the water across the surface with
the flow exiting the hose. Run/sheet the water across the
surface, and continue with the hood, and rear deck, and
sides.
When all is said and done, open the hood and trunk, and
let the remaining water sheet itself off while you dry the
sides with a Waffle Weave drying towel. (At this point,
some like to use quick detailers . Start at the top, and
work your way down to lower panels, refold the waffle weave
as it absorbs water, a 24x30 towel is generally all that
is needed. You may want to follow in your other hand with
a clean and dry microfiber 16x16 towel.
You may find this technique of benefit to you, and if so,
you may be able to tweak it a little to meet your specific
needs. Good luck and I hope to have helped at least a few
of you!
More Detailing Tips
from the Professionals