Washing a car is easy! Lets show you how.
Wash your car BEFORE you wash your car!
The number 1 mistake we see people make when they wash they're vehicle is dragging a soapy sponge over they're dry and dirty vehicle, causing micro-scratches on they're delicate paintwork.
Doing this regularly will cause scratches and swirls, which over time can cause extensive damage to your vehicles clear coat, which could result in the peeling, cracking and Failure of your car's protective layer.
To Aviod this, we always recommend you wash your car, BEFORE you wash your car!
It can be as simple as grabbing your garden hose, and rinsing off the dirt and dust before you start your contact wash. Doing this will greatly reduce your chance of causing micro scratches, but if you want to 100% GUARANTEE you don't cause swirls on your paint, continue reading and follow our simple 5 step wash process.
How to wash your car like a detailer.
High Quality Products
1. Foam Cannon Pre Wash
1. Foam Cannon Pre Wash
There are SO many products to choose from, we recommend Meguire's, Bowden's or Turtle Wax branded products. This car wash kit can be purchased from Super Cheap Auto for only $39 and includes almost everything you'll need to care for your car.
You'll need a bucket, soap, high quality wash mitt, a drying towel, a good quality wheel cleaner, wheel cleaning brush and a foam cannon.
1. Foam Cannon Pre Wash
1. Foam Cannon Pre Wash
1. Foam Cannon Pre Wash
You can purchase a foam cannon for about $30 from any auto parts store and they simply attach to your garden hose. Covering your car in soapy water will help to encapsulate and lift the dirt and grime from the surface of your car. Let the soap dwell on the surface for 2-3 minutes before rinsing away. If your washing in the sun, Be sure not to let the soap dry on the car!
2. Pre wash Rinse
1. Foam Cannon Pre Wash
3. Foam Cannon Contact Wash
Wash away all of the dirt and soap from your vehicle. For the best results, you can use your pressure washer if you have one, if you don't have a pressure washer, a garden hose with a trigger nozzle on jet function is just as good!
3. Foam Cannon Contact Wash
3. Foam Cannon Contact Wash
3. Foam Cannon Contact Wash
Spray foam all over your vehicle once more, this is going to help to lubricate the surface of your car. Grab your bucket of soapy water and take your CLEAN wash mitt and GENTLY AGITATE and GLIDE the soap over the surface of your vehicle. Move in straight lines and work from the top of your vehicle down, I like to start on the roof first, then the bonnet, then the sides of the car and finally the front and rear bumpers. Make sure you dunk your wash mitt in the bucket between each panel. Typically the Lower parts of your car collect more dirt and grime, So washing these areas last helps to reduce the chances of causing micro scratches.
4. Rinse and Dry
3. Foam Cannon Contact Wash
4. Rinse and Dry
Now that your vehicle is clean and scratch free. You can rinse away all the soap and dry your car. Use a high quality microfibre drying towel to ensure you don't cause scratches after all that hard work! Stay away from cheap chamois (shammies) and definitely don't use a cotton bath towel. (YES, I have seen people dry their freshly washed vehicle with a bath towel) 🤦
Wheels last!
3. Foam Cannon Contact Wash
4. Rinse and Dry
Your wheels need a dedicated wheel cleaner to break down contaminants, dirt and brake dust. Spray your wheels and tires with your wheel cleaner, and agitate with a soft wheel brush. Let it dwell for 2-3 minutes before rinsing away. Be sure not to let the wheel cleaner dry on your wheels! After you've thoroughly rinsed and dried the wheels, you can apply tire shine, and polish the rims.