Not sure if this has been started prior. Did a quick look and didn't see anything.

Post the methods you use to wash your car along with products you like and why. Oh and a few shots of your clean car as well!

I really just got into this after paying 500$ to get my car detailed before MOD. It looked so good and I realized I can learn to do this myself.

I also wanted to keep the car swirl free for as long as possible so I read up on it and purchased a ton of products. I never liked washing my car and always paid the car wash guys in the parking structure at work to do it. But realized that's where a lot of swirls come from. So I started doing it myself and actually it's helped me SLOW down and pay attention to detail. I have always been the RUSH RUSH RUSH type person and always wanted instant gratification.

I purchased a power washer along with a foamer. I got 2 buckets with grit guards so I can do the two bucket method. I have different color and types of microfiber towels for different parts of the car. I also got an air blower to blow a lot of the water off.

I'm also in the process of getting the Rupes 21 and 75E buffers.


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr

Car foamed up with foamer. This is after it sat a few minutes. Foamer gets it pretty foamy. Looks like it's covered with shaving cream. Hard to tell on white as well.


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr

And 2.5 hours later:


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr

 

Looks good man. Posting from my tablet so no pics of my evo on here. Seems like you're the right track. Chemical guys make great products. I typically use a hoseless car wash system unless the car is super filthy then I'll use a hose. Like you I use specific towels for specific things. I wash weekly, use a clay bar about once every three months and rotate between a wax or a glaze. The glaze really makes the black pop out. Again chemical guys have a nice flow chart that I follow and I use most of their stuff.

 

Yea I'm still experimenting with products. Got the CG V07 quick detail spray as well. I use that as I'm drying the car. I also got an RV water filter from Walmart I use on the hose but am thinking about making my own little hard water softener with 2 10' filter canisters.

For the tires and black plastic I really like the Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel. I don't like shiny. This stuff makes all the pastic and wheels look new and dark black WITHOUT looking like you put anything on. And it's not geasy.

I do a quick detail wipe down with the V7 mid week. Just to get the dust off but still like using the power washer and foamer on the weekends.

These are what I can't wait to get.

I was all set and happy to buy a Harbor Freight buffer for like 60$ but then the fricken detailer showed me these and now I want them. Detailing stuff as addictive as modding.


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr

 

Oh have you tried Stripper Scent from Chemical Guys? Lol smells pretty good. Reminds me of the good ol days.

 

My routine (I keep it as simple as possible after being a detailer for many years)...

Pull out hose, make soap bucket with whatever Costco is selling at the time, do the wheels by hand inside and out and wheel wells with a microfiber sponge. Make new bucket of soap and wash car in 3 stages from top down using a different micro sponge. Use (3) 12" Microfibers to dry it and keep them wet, less wet and dry respectively and dry it in stages from the top down.

I use whatever is available because I stay on top of keeping it clean and it doesn't take much if it doesn't get too dirty.

 

Yeap, thats what I do. My wife says, good thing its white otherwise you'd notice all the paint your washing away.

 

check out the forums from autogeek. ive been addicted to detailing for a while now. i personally use the griots garage DA buffers, both sizes. and have spent way to much money on product.

if your evo is a DD then look in to the greatest product on the planet collinite #845

 

I'm pretty much on the same boat. Been reading up on autogeek for a while before I stated my routine. From a fresh start I wash (meguiars), clay bar (meguiars), polish (klasse all in one) and wax (collinite 845). In between polish/wax I usually just wash w a wash/wax soap, something with carnauba.

 

whenever i have time i wash my car. detailing is alot of work so that dosent come often

 

Yea unfortunately I did check out that site along with a few others. Worse yet, I went to the detailing place down the street I never knew existed and Chemical Guys. Went from not wanting to wash my own car to spending a ton in a few weeks time.

It does get addicting for some reason.

I was checking out the vapor steamers last night. Seems like they can do anything.

 

haha yea finding that site has kept my bank account low and cant afford mods haha

 

Pressure washer, sponge + car wash soap with warm water, pressure washer, rinse, california water blade, towel, micro fiber, followed by rims with wheel cleaner. Then a quick drive around the block to get out all of the drips

 

I wish I had the time and patience to do this kind of detail.

I haven't washed my car in months.

 

Nice.

I have recently been reading about vapor steamers for cleaning the interior. Decided to order one. Get it next week but from what I have seen it does some amazing things. Can even use it on the car and rims if you want. But it really does a good job inside. You can pretty much blast everything inside with the hot steam. Gets to about 312F and has about 75 psi. There is only 5% water in the vapor. Good for the engine as well since it won't get so wet it messes electronics up.


image by Uscbryan, on Flickr

 

LOL...Right there with ya!