The Basic Car Wash

[oo7ml]

Hi,

As the title suggests and without sounding like a dumb *ss what is the best procedure for washing a car? Just a basic wash... not a full on detail or polish.

For example, are you better off:

A
- hose (to remove lose dirt)
- sponge
- hose (rinse)
- shampoo
- sponge
- hose (rinse)
- dry

B
- shampoo
- sponge
- hose (rinse)
- dry

A friend has argued the point that you should shampoo first to let it set in... however I think it is wise to remove excess dirt & grit first with a power hose?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Summit_Detailing]

Removing as much dirt from the car before actually touching it is the safe option, and common sense surely.

The recognised safe wash routine in basic terms would be -

> Pressure rinse
> Wash - ideally not a sponge but a microfibre or lambswool washmitt and 2-buckets (one has the shampoo, the other just water to rinse the dirty mitt out in after a panel or two)
> Pressure rinse
> Dry with a microfibre drying towel

If for example you have a car that already has swirls and other paint defects which show up in this lovely weather then you won't necessarily see more being added over time by using 1-bucket, sponge and a chamois until it gets to a tipping point whereby a black car looks grey due to the paint defects inflicted over time.

Happy washing!

Cheers,

Chris

[oo7ml]

Great, thanks Chris