Car Washing 101

[sparkyAZ]

I'm for handwashing. The Prius takes maybe 15 ~ 20 minutes to wash. I found that Costco has a nice package of multi-colored microfiber wash mits and microfiber towels that I use. The mits soak up a LOT of water, and stay sopping wet while washing. I've heard somewhere that drying with a Chamois can take off the wax, so I switched to cotton towels, but the microfiber leave fewer frizzies and do a better job of drying.

[Godiva]

Wash your car in the shade, either early morning or dusk. Try to avoid washing your car when it's really hot out.

I use two buckets and I have grit guards in each. They prevent the dirt that sinks to the bottom from swirling up again.

If you buy one thing I suggest The Absorber for drying your car. It is amazing.

I was using Meguiar's Gold Class but have switched to Meguiar's NXT.

I have a dual action polisher to take the muscle out of waxing.

This is my long routine.

Wash with NXT due to local hard water. Clean wheels last.

Clay the car using NXT detailer.

THEN

Use Scratch-X if needed. Clean with NXT detailer again.

Apply Deep Crystal Polish with W8006 Yellow soft buff foam polishing pad at speeds 3-5. Small sections.

Remove while still wet with microfiber towel. Small sections.

OR

1) #83 with an 8006 pad, pc at about 5. Remove by hand with a microfiber polishing cloth.

2) #80 with an 8006 pad, pc at about 5. Remove by hand with a microfiber polishing cloth.

3)NXT Tech Wax with a 9006 pad, pc at about 3. Remove by hand with a microfiber polishing cloth.

THEN Do one of the following:

-Apply G-118 ColorX with either W-8006 or W-9006 at speeds 3-5

-Apply Gold Class wax with W9006 Tan softbuff finishing pad at speeds 2-4.

-Apply NXT tech Wax using either another W8006 or a W9006 Tan softbuff finishing pad at speeds 2-4. Try at 3 - 3.5.

Do entire car and let dry.

Remove with W7006 cutting pad and microfiber bonnet at speeds 2.5.

Insane shine on wheels.

Clean glass.

Do interior.

I've had bad experiences with car washes so I do it myself. I own the following.

Absorber (2)
bucket (2)
Meguiar's:
Grit guard (2)
Sponge
Lamb's wool mop
Meguiar's Tire Brush
Slide Lock Detail Brush
Triple Duty Detail Brush
PlastX
ScratchX
Gold Class Leather
Hotshine Tire
Insane Shine Tire
Protectant wipes
Dash trim
NXT glass cleaner
Microfiber towel (5)
Microfiber glass towels (3)
Gold Class applicator pad (6)
NXT applicator pad
Chenille applicator pad (2)
G7101 Gold Class wash Gallon
G7116 Gold Class wash
G12664 NXT car wash
Deep Crystal Polish
NXT Tech wax
Quick Clay white bar (2)
NXT speed detailer
#83
#80
G104 Dual Action polisher
W8006 Yellow soft buff foam polishing pad (3-5) - for A2116 Deep Crystal polish
W8006 Yellow soft buff foam polishing pad (3-5) - for NXT Tech Wax
W9006 Tan Softbuff finishing pad (2-4) -for Gold Class wax
W7006 Burgundy softbuff cutting pad with X4003 Gold Class Clear Coat Safe Microfiber bonnet (2) to remove wax.
Target Christmas Car Care Collection

I've got a nice little cabinet on wheels that I keep it all in.

[Lola'05]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Oct 7 2007, 12:43 AM) [snapback]522363[/snapback]</div>

Wash your car in the shade, either early morning or dusk. Try to avoid washing your car when it's really hot out.

I use two buckets and I have grit guards in each. They prevent the dirt that sinks to the bottom from swirling up again.

If you buy one thing I suggest The Absorber for drying your car. It is amazing.

I was using Meguiar's Gold Class but have switched to Meguiar's NXT.

I have a dual action polisher to take the muscle out of waxing.

This is my long routine.

Wash with NXT due to local hard water. Clean wheels last.

Clay the car using NXT detailer.

THEN

Use Scratch-X if needed. Clean with NXT detailer again.

Apply Deep Crystal Polish with W8006 Yellow soft buff foam polishing pad at speeds 3-5. Small sections.

Remove while still wet with microfiber towel. Small sections.

OR

1) #83 with an 8006 pad, pc at about 5. Remove by hand with a microfiber polishing cloth.

2) #80 with an 8006 pad, pc at about 5. Remove by hand with a microfiber polishing cloth.

3)NXT Tech Wax with a 9006 pad, pc at about 3. Remove by hand with a microfiber polishing cloth.

THEN Do one of the following:

-Apply G-118 ColorX with either W-8006 or W-9006 at speeds 3-5

-Apply Gold Class wax with W9006 Tan softbuff finishing pad at speeds 2-4.

-Apply NXT tech Wax using either another W8006 or a W9006 Tan softbuff finishing pad at speeds 2-4. Try at 3 - 3.5.

Do entire car and let dry.

Remove with W7006 cutting pad and microfiber bonnet at speeds 2.5.

Insane shine on wheels.

Clean glass.

Do interior.

I've had bad experiences with car washes so I do it myself. I own the following.

Absorber (2)
bucket (2)
Meguiar's:
Grit guard (2)
Sponge
Lamb's wool mop
Meguiar's Tire Brush
Slide Lock Detail Brush
Triple Duty Detail Brush
PlastX
ScratchX
Gold Class Leather
Hotshine Tire
Insane Shine Tire
Protectant wipes
Dash trim
NXT glass cleaner
Microfiber towel (5)
Microfiber glass towels (3)
Gold Class applicator pad (6)
NXT applicator pad
Chenille applicator pad (2)
G7101 Gold Class wash Gallon
G7116 Gold Class wash
G12664 NXT car wash
Deep Crystal Polish
NXT Tech wax
Quick Clay white bar (2)
NXT speed detailer
#83
#80
G104 Dual Action polisher
W8006 Yellow soft buff foam polishing pad (3-5) - for A2116 Deep Crystal polish
W8006 Yellow soft buff foam polishing pad (3-5) - for NXT Tech Wax
W9006 Tan Softbuff finishing pad (2-4) -for Gold Class wax
W7006 Burgundy softbuff cutting pad with X4003 Gold Class Clear Coat Safe Microfiber bonnet (2) to remove wax.
Target Christmas Car Care Collection

I've got a nice little cabinet on wheels that I keep it all in.
[/b]

And just how long does all this take you? A Prius isn't all that big.