How to Wash a Car
Darren's tips for better results

Washing a car is both about the right techniques and the right products.

For your convenience I am including both a TLDR -too long, didn't read version- and a more comprehensive version.

The Right Products and Tools

Washing your car can be simple and effective with the right approach. Here is a quick guide to getting your car sparkling clean:

• The Right Soap: Choose a car wash soap that is specifically designed for cars and will not damage your paint. Look for soaps with good lubrication and ingredients that enhance shine and protection. A good option mentioned is the Turtle Wax Ceramic Wash and Wax which uses ceramic technology and SiO2 for a water-beading effect.
• Quality Wash Mitt: Ditch the kitchen sponges and use a Chenille Wash Mitt. These microfiber mitts are gentle on the paint, can be easily rinsed, and last a long time. Consider using two mitts, one for cleaner areas and one for dirtier areas like wheels.
• Proper wash bucket: Use a 5-gallon wash bucket with a Grit Guard insert. The insert helps separate dirt and prevents it from re-entering your wash mitt.
• Proper Drying: Do not use bath towels! Opt for a Meguiar's X2000 Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel. It is super absorbent and dries without scratching or leaving lint.
• Strategic hose nozzle: Use a hose nozzle like the Irriglad twin pack Pistol Grip Nozzle for better control of the water spray and water conservation.
• Drying Aid: For extra shine and protection, use a drying aid like the Turtle Wax 53410 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wet Wax. Spray it on after washing and before drying for added benefits.

By focusing on these key products, you can achieve great results without overcomplicating the process.

Deep Dive into Washing Your Car

Washing your car is more than just a chore; it's an act of care for your investment. This section will provide a more in-depth look into the recommended products, tools and techniques.

Many people make the mistake of using harsh detergents and outdated tools when washing their cars. Using the wrong products can damage your car's paint, leave scratches, and cause other issues. The right products, and tools will not only provide a better wash, but they are an investment into protecting your vehicle for the long term.

Choosing the Best Car Wash Soap

Ceramic wash and Wax on Amazon

• Prioritize Paint Protection: A good car wash soap is formulated to be gentle on your car's paint. It should clean without stripping away wax or causing damage.
• Lubrication is Key: Look for a car wash soap that provides plenty of lubrication. This helps the wash mitt glide across the surface of the paint and reduce the risk of swirls or scratches.
• Added Benefits: Some car wash soaps also include ingredients that enhance shine and provide additional protection. Turtle Wax Ceramic Wash and Wax is an example that incorporates ceramic technology and SiO2 which can enhance the hydrophobic (water-fearing) properties of the surface of your car. This technology will help the water bead up and roll off, and give an added layer of protection.
• Personal Preference: While there are many car wash soaps to choose from, selecting a top rated product is the recommended approach. It is suggested that you choose one that meets the criteria of protecting your paint, has good lubricants, and has ingredients that add shine and protection.

I am neither a chemist or a formulator. I can only speak from first hand experience. And my first hand experience tells me that there exist many options when it comes to a quality car wash shampoo.

Darren's Tip: I fill my wash bucket up with about 2 inches of water and then I add the car wash soap. I then use the hose nozzle to add more water but do so strategically so that I have the winning balance of soap suds and wash water. 

You can control this based on the type of water pressure you are using to fill the wash bucket up with.

Superior Car Washing Mitt

Chenille Wash Mitts on Amazon

• Gentle and Effective: The car washing mitt is superior to the outdated methods of sponges or old bath towels because it is far more gentle and effective. I have yet to find a more effective and safer wash mitt than these type.
• Dual Mitt System: While not required, using two mitts is a good habit that can enhance your car washing experience. Dedicate one mitt for the cleaner parts of your car, such as the paint, and the other for dirtier areas like wheels and door jambs. This prevents cross-contamination and keeps the paint from being damaged by harsh dirt particles.
• Durability: A quality wash mitt, like the recommended Chenille Wash Mitt, will last for many washes and years of use.

Darren's Tip: I hose out my wash mitts once I have completed the car washing process to its entirety. I do this under direct pressure from the garden hose and do this against a clean surface (this could be the wall of your house, the ground once you have hosed it clean, etc.) This keeps the wash mitts clean for next use.

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Car Washing Bucket

Adam's Wash Bucket on Amazon

• Best Car Wash Bucket: A 5-gallon bucket is essential for effective car washing. It provides enough water to rinse the wash mitt and to effectively clean your car.
• The Grit Guard: A key feature to look for in a wash bucket is the Grit Guard insert. This insert will separate the dirt particles and prevent them from re-contaminating the wash mitt. By allowing these particles to settle at the bottom, you are keeping the harsh dirt from being dragged back across your car's paint which can cause scratches.
• Secure Closure: A secure lid is also helpful for containing the water in the bucket when not in use.

Darren's Tip: I really like this bucket set-up! Between the grit guard insert and the secure lid, I am able to save my wash water for multiple uses. I wash my personal vehicles every week and since I live in southern California, my wash water does not become very dirty since we mostly just have year round sun here.

The Better Way to Dry Your Car

Meguiar's Water Magnet on Amazon

• Do NOT Use Household Towels: Bath and kitchen towels are the worst choice for drying a car. They are not designed for this and can scratch paint and WILL leave behind lint.
• Microfiber Drying Towels: A Meguiar's X2000 Water Magnet Microfiber Drying Towel is an ideal drying cloth. This type of towel is super absorbent and will not scratch the paint. It is designed to absorb water and not just push the water around..
• Technique Matters: It is recommended that how to dry your car is as important as how you wash your car. Taking the right approach when drying your car ensures that it looks its best.

Darren's Tips: For starters, this cloth like any other cloth actually works best when it is already wet. This means you either get it wet first, or accept that the first couple of passes when drying will prove less effective if using this cloth completely dry. Also, I always get the bulk of the water removed and then go back around and fine tune the drying. This is especially important when washing in direct sunlight.

The Best Car Washing Nozzle

Water Nozzles on Amazon

• Control and Efficiency: While it might seem like a minor detail, a quality hose nozzle can make a big difference. A nozzle like the Irriglad Pistol Grip Nozzle that will provide a better user experience.
• Instant Spray Control: The ability to control the spray pattern with a simple squeeze of the trigger is invaluable. You can switch from a concentrated stream to a gentle spray with ease.
• Water Conservation: A nozzle will contain your water from its source as needed, which helps prevent water waste. Many people allow water to simply run out of a hose without a nozzle and this wastes a lot of water.

Darren's Tip: I have tried so many water nozzles! And this set of nozzles to me represent the winning combination!

How to Wash a Car:
Going from good to better

I am going to add some additional car washing tips taken from the world of professional detailing that might be completely unknown to many of you reading this.

The world of cosmetic car care is vast, deep, and filled with countless products. The innovation constantly put into this vast subject is both the good news and bad news!

The good news as it delivers us car owners with more and more options.

The bad news we often find ourselves overwhelmed with the countless options.

Car Washing Drying Aid

Turtle Wax Wet Wax on Amazon

• Extra Protection and Shine: Drying aids are a great way to maximize the effort you put into washing your car. By using a drying aid you can leverage the time and effort you are already putting into washing your car and produce even better results and protection.
• Easy to Use: Products like the Turtle Wax 53410 Hybrid Solutions Ceramic Wet Wax can be applied after washing and before drying. Simply spray on one or two sprays per panel, and then dry as normal.
• Versatile: Drying aids can be used on most parts of your car, not just the paint, such as the glass, plastic trim, rubber moldings, and even your wheels (though not tires).

Darren's Tip: Welcome to the world of advance chemical engineering with a product like this. Spray this directly onto your freshly washed vehicle this means once the car is washed and rinsed clean- and then dry your car. Don't go crazy by spraying too much -just a single spray for each 4x4 foot section is about all you need. 

The Simpler Approach to Washing Your Car

Often in life we want to really "dumb things down" in an effort to over-simplify our world. I completely get this strategy and employ it in many areas of my life.

While you were interested enough in how to wash your car, you may be even more interested in a way to keep things even more simple....so long as you understand the pros and cons of this decision.

Enter the Chemical Guy's car washing kit.

Chemical Guy's Car Washing Kit

Chemical Guys Car Washing Kit on Amazon

• All-in-One Solution: For those who want to keep things simple, a kit like the Chemical Guys Car Washing Kit can be a great option.
• Quality Products: These kits typically include all the essential tools and products needed to wash your car. They are designed to be economical and allow you to test products without having to buy them individually.

Darren's Tip: I realize I have just switched brands on you by recommending this car washing kit. But the reality is that there are so many good products on the market these days it is hard to go wrong. This kit from Chemical Guys is a perfect example of this and also is a perfect example of how to keep life simpler by purchasing an al-in-one kit. This kit does not come with my first choice in everything, but the trade off for you is you get everything together.

How to Wash a Car Summary

The heated debate of how to wash a car, car washing products, doing it yourself, etc., etc. will rage on forever! Visiting any car or detail forum will quickly overwhelm most of you.

You will find you are sucked into "expert" opinions regarding techniques and products to the point of confusion as to what to do next. Sometimes a voice of reason needs to be applied that will suit the 95% of us out there who want to keep things simple.

Simply put; you don't have unrealistic expectations, you just want to know what products will provide quality results without breaking the bank, or breaking your back!

So pick and choose among my car washing tips that come from decades of both personal and professional experience!

I hope this has helped you come to some winning conclusions in your corner of the world!

Sincerely,

Darren Priest

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