zachr

I went on a little adventure in the mountains on Saturday despite the inclement weather in north Georgia, so my Shark Blue was looking a little more like Shark Grime after driving over all the pine needles and road grit that the rain washed into my path. It was a chilly one this weekend, so I decided to go for a "quick wash" yesterday after a long morning pressure washing the driveway. My attempt at a "quick wash" still took me over an hour by the time it was all said and done and everything packed away! Admittedly, I was "finished" after about 35 mins, but looked at my wheels and decided I had time to give them some much-needed TLC as well.

My normal routine:
1. Address any seriously tough stuff (usually bug guts on the front bumper, debris on the stone guards) with a microfiber + diluted Optimum No-Rinse spray.
2. Fill 2 buckets, one with CarPro Reset soap.
3. Foam gun a few panels at a time, also with CarPro Reset.
4. Take a microfiber wash mitt to the foamed-up panels.
5. Rinse panels with hose and mitt in 2nd bucket
6. Repeat steps 2-4 until all panels have been washed
7. Electric blower to get the car mostly-dry.
8. Drying towel for the rest! Including the door jambs that hold water.

Then comes the optional stuff: cleaning the wheels, applying some tire gloss, reapplying the XPEL Ceramic Boost sealant my detailer recommended for a PPF+Ceramic car, interior care (damp microfiber to clean the leather, diluted Optimum No-Rinse for most other surfaces, zaino Z10 for leather conditioning and lovely new-car smell, and busting out the shop-vac as needed).

A full spa day for the car is easily upwards of 2.5 hours from start to finish, but I can get through a basic wash in about 30 mins. What does your cleaning routine look like and how long does it take?

Bluehighways

It takes me twice as long to clean the wheels as it does to clean the rest of the car. Sometimes I only need to clean just the wheels. Brake Dust is evil!

HJ951

The wheels seem to take the most time for me. I start with the wheels and am mostly done with washing in less than an hour. I use a blower and micro fiber towels to dry. I use a quick detail most of the time, especially on the front bug smashing areas. Then comes the time consuming part. I empty and clean the buckets. I decide I must dry the steel brakes to keep the rust off and there goes another hour or more. I know it does not take an hour to clean off the brakes, but when the weather and roads are nice I keep finding excuses to drive more with a clean car. BTW, I live close to lots of winding roads.

My car has PPF on the front areas and ceramic everywhere else, including wheels.

woobiee

I just completed a comprehensive clean and seal yesterday that took about a total of 15 hours spanning over 2 weekends, trying to get it winter ready.

This being my first Pcar experience, it was interesting to feel and analyze the topography of the 911. Besides being smaller and lower than my M4, there were more horizontal surfaces that were much easier to get to.

GuardsRed992

What do you use to clean the wheels?

zachr

Spyder wheels? That was one of my reasons for taking the CLs on the GTS. Cleaning the 20 spoke wheels on my AMG was absolutely miserable.

I got a set of wheel woolies and use the same soap bucket for the car. For a quicker touch up, I use microfibers and the ONR mix.

Bluehighways

Soap and Water . . . but I also clean the drums and I'll admit to being slightly **** retentive about the cleanliness of the wheels.

ipse dixit

I just take it to the dealer.

So about 40 minutes, not including drive time.

mferris

Less than 15 min. Spray foam. Woolie the wheels. Wipe down car from top to bottom. Pressure wash off. Blow dry. Dry windows and door threshold. I have PPF and 2.5 yo ceramic, no micro scratches to date.

Jimmy-D

Over the years I have lost my patience for cleaning my own car. I now take it to a good hand wash place that cost me $20 with tip.

About the same time as above

RudyP

It takes my detailers (2 guys) about 2.5-3 hours to clean 5-6 cars. They come to my house so it is pretty easy.

MontBlanc911

wow i wish there was some place like that near me in Northern Virginia. Anyone know a good handwash place?

MontBlanc911

I could never wash my car my self...i am too lazy for it and hurts ma back too..will be searching for a good hand wash place as soon as I get my hands on a 911!

lucycan

If you aren't removing the wheels to fully clean them you aren't doing it right

Bluehighways

That's also the only way I can get a toothbrush into all the nooks and crannies on the brake calipers.