May need some advice...not satisfied with my wash

I've been washing cars since I was 13. Now, at 20...I do full clear-coat repairs on Porsches, BMW M series, AMG mercedes, even have had the honor of being asked to correct the paint on a 575M Ferrari.

I guess somewhere in the transition from car-washer to someone who concentrates on correcting clearcoat defects, I've strayed a bit from by all out passion for the wash stage.

Normally I never follow up details with maintenance washes; the customers take car of their vehicles between details. But, I do maintain my own car, obviously...yet, Ive noticed lately that I've kinda lost my excitement about the wash stage...I am even starting to dislike it...every week...same procedure. Idk guys, I feel like I need some advice.

I believe I'm getting disheartened by my wash procedure due to maybe doing some things, not incorrectly, but maybe not in the most effective way.

I'm gonna list my process and materials. I want your opinion on them, and comment on areas you'd change or improve. Please feel free to share your procedure and materials too!


Soak wheels in SONAX
Soak Tires and Arches in Meg's APC (4:1)

Pressure Rinse (Honda 2600 psi - held at a safe distance)

Re-soak tires with APC, and scrub with tire brush.
Rinse
(no scrub- CURRENTLY in arches....can't find a good brush that's long enough to get in there)

Wash wheels with Meg's Shampoo+ and Boar's hair brushes & EZ detail brush for inners

Rinse Car
Foam with Shampoo+

Rinse

2 Bucket Wash
Shampoo+ (REALLY RECONSIDERING THIS SHAMPOO FOR BODYWORK...SUDS DON'T LAST)
Microfiber Noodle Mitt (REALLY RETHINKING THIS MITT CHOICE, TENDS TO LOSE WATER QUICKLY)

Dry with electric leaf blower
Wipe down with Zaino Z6 and 2 Uber drying towels.

Adam's glass cleaner on inside windows.

Meg's Hyper Dressing on tires (3:1 for satin finish)


PLEASE RECOMMEND PRODUCTS AND TECHNIQUES!

 

ONR 2BM or ONR 1BM making sure to rinse wash media often with garden hose sprayer. For stripping your paint of LSP just mix in about one or two ounces of APC into your ONR wash bucket.

 

Everyone hates the wash stage. Your not alone there my friend :thud:

 

I definately agree with you, the wash stage is really quite monotonous and unfortunately there is not much you can do about that! Your wash regiment looks great though, I would change much if anything so it is really just going to be your own personal challenge to grind through it and get 'er done.

 

I don't really dislike any of it but if it makes you feel any better, here's my process:

• Pressure wash the wheel wells, tires and wheels, respectively
• Soak the wheel wells and tires with Meg's Super Degreaser and wheels with P21S Wheel Gel/AG CWC, respectively
• Agitate the wheel wells with Uber fender brush or ShMITT, tires with Meg's tire brush and wheels with Mini EZ-Detail brush, RG XL brush, Swissvax wheel brush and/or BHB, respectively
• Pressure wash the wheel wells, tires and wheels, respectively
• Pressure wash the entire vehicle
• Foam the entire vehicle with the foam cannon filled with CG CW, MS UG or Meg's Shampoo Plus
• Fill up the rinse and wash bucket while the foam soaks
• Pressure wash the foam off
• Wash the vehicle with the 2BM from top to bottom
• Pressure wash the soap off
• Sheet off as much water from the vehicle
• Dry the vehicle with two large WW's from PakShak
• Apply Meg's Hyper Dressing to the tires
• Enjoy the results!

 

What kind of pressure washer are you using . . . . . gas or electric?

 

depending on if your wheel wells are plastic or have carpet and how long its been since they have been cleaned either a terry towel or those yellow microfibers from costco work great on wheel wells.

If you are looking for a brush though:

Mothers makes one:



As well as Automagic (which i currently have but mine has blue bristles):



I'm sure there are a few more such as Meguiars:



just to name a few for you. Hope that helps.

 

Electric... gas pressure washers are just slightly more noisy than electric ones and are quite a bit heavier to haul. I'm aware that the gas ones are much better but I get by pretty well with the electric ones.

 

sweet. I have a gas one now and was going to purchase a heavier duty gas one as i was planning to go down a different route but now i'm stuck at a crossroad. I would really like to pick up a electric one as most of the time i use a hose and foam gun anyway . . . . might be nice to have a electric one to use a foam cannon with though.

Only thing that i worry about is them breaking. I had purchased a Karcher electric unit back when i first started and i went through 2 of them in a matter of days. One didn't even kick over and spray water and the other one had little to no pressure. At that point i lost hope and went gas.

 

Washing is the best part of the detailing process.

 

buy some new products! trying out new stuff makes the was stage much more fun, otherwise it feels too routine

 

I think it'd be in your best interest to use a soap that has a nice fragrance to it. It'll make the wash experience more pleasurable. I have two Raceglaze mitts that should be here any day now, and I'm hoping they'll be the end-all of my wash media search.

 

Try Adam's Green Wheel Cleaner. I just used it for the first time today and DAMN. I did a test on my dads truck tire which was loaded with dirt and brake dust.

I got it wet, sprayed it pretty good and then touched it with a brush for 5 seconds, barely putting pressure, rinsed again and everything was gone. Was awesome.

Also, try Adam's Jumbo Wash Pad. That thing is amazingly soft and retains so much water it is absolutely ridiculous. It HAS to weigh a good 5 pounds from when you pick it up out of the bucket.

 

just QUIT!!!





haha j/k! don't do that


Dude on the wash stage it's pretty textbook... start off with wheels, tires and wells. Then move to the body work.

Maybe try different wash medias.... I know I change all the time. Try mixing soaps or anything else you can mix to change it up a bit.

 

SO for what it's worth I ordered new wash mitts, new drying towels, new shampoos to try out, new buckets, new hose, new pressure washer nozzle, and some new brushes