cdk4219

Dawn is pretty harsh on the car. I use it when I want to strip all wax or oil on the surface. Dawn will definitely do that. When the wax is removed, the scratches really show up, that’s why the dawn may get a bad rap.
I wouldn’t recommend dawn for regular car washes, just as I wouldn’t recommend it for regular bathing, but for grease and oil removal it works well

sandwedge

Yup. Not to mention that it's the only way to get the car really clean. Takes me about 30 minutes to wash and dry the exterior the old fashioned way. Guessing close to half that is spent on the wheels with all the nooks and crannies. The rest is a breeze. Wash a regular 4 seat sedan and you get reminded of how small the 997 is even though bigger than the previous air cooled 911's.

iammacey

I drive black vehicles. I find washing them to be enjoyable and therapeutic. My entire washing process is about reducing micromarring.

The GT4 is ceramic coated. This was completed by a professional.

The Fiesta ST is ceramic coated, this was done me. Including the two step correction that was very much needed.

The Gladiator is more of a product testing environment.

My wash process is essentially the same.

Rinse with pressure washer. Thoroughly.
One bucket for wheels
One bucket with Adams Car ShampooOne bucket for rinse
I foam the wheels and tires with Brake BusterLet sitAgitate with brush/mittClean barrelsStiff brush for tiresRinse
Foam vehicle with Adams
Let sitThis loosens dirt and pulls some contaminates off the vehicleRinseFoam for lubricationWash vehicle using two Micofriber Madness mitts (they are the best mitts I've found)
Work high to low on the vehicle.
I save the rockers and around the wheel wells for last
Open doors and wash around door sills
​​​​​​Use blower on cars that are coated. They are very hydrophobic and water easily beads off. Follow-up with BeadMaker.

The only variation is in drying. I dry the Gladiator with BeadMaker without using the blower first. The current protecting layer isn't hydrophobic enough for it to be effective. I will be doing a decon and correction on it this year and trying some new products. I appreciate getting to experiment.

This is my way. Not the right way. The right way is what works for you and gives you the sense of satisfaction when you're done.

Bonus photos for fun

Gladiator after decon and iron removal. Tested Ammo products on paint, wheels, and tires. Finish was solid. Longetivity and beading opportunistic.


Reflection off the paint

Pulled back. Same side of Fiesta.

jayzbird

This is deviating a lot from the lazy wash thread. But here is mine for dealing with black car, hard water, and warm/dry climate

Lay old towel over engine to catch most water coming in when washing.

1 wash bucket with grit guard, 2-2.5 gals water, 1 Oz Griot’s soap plus a healthy splash of ONR.

Rinse down car with hose.

Wash from top down with wool mitt, leaving rockers and rear bumper for last. Rinse off with hose.

Quick pass with blower to reduce big areas of pooled water.

With a backpack sprayer containing distilled water, go over windows & flat areas to prevent spots forming while I do wheels and later blow dry. This uses ~ 1-1.5 gal distilled water.

Same bucket, now 1/2 full, wash wheels with dedicated brushes & finger wool mitt. Rinse wheels with hose.

Now I go back with blower, taking my time. Having the distilled water on allows drying almost completely with blower without spotting.

Final touch up dry with big MF towel and Opti Seal as drying aid.

With fresh grey MF towel, dry wheels, door jams, under hood, and engine compartment last, again with Opti seal as drying aid.

sandwedge

Wow....that paint finish. Just stunning. I have a lot of work to do or I have to spend a good amount of money to have someone get my car to that point. On another note, what's with that wheel gap? Doesn't look right. Guessing the car was jacked up when you shot the photo?

iammacey

I had the car on the QuickJack. Just makes the work a little easier.

The Fiesta is a 2017. I bought it new in late 2018. It had been on two different Ford dealer lots. Sat outside. Been washed with sandpaper apparently. At any rate, it took a minute to get through the correction needed. So really happy with the outcome.

TRINITONY

quick wash and dry, then apply This..

Hella-Buggin'

I rinse the car to get rid of loose debris, Then Foam Gun it, Rinse, Foam Gun it again, then use two bucket method to wipe it down.
Then drive away. Drying it with a towel is where the swirls come from so just hit 80mph and the car will dry in a few minutes.
Then if needed I'll give a wipe down with a detailer to lubricate the paint and give it a little extra pop.
If I'm just gettig rid of some light dust I use Ammo Frothe waterless wash to get rid of the dust but not my ideal wash.

DooLY

I choose MTM PF22 - https://carhelpo.com/best-foam-cannon/, either get the SGS-28 kit with the canon and purchase the lance separately or get the gun kit with lance and purchase the canon separately. Most who the pf22 works better for have electric and way lower gpm’s.

A good carwash consist of cleaning the wheels and wells.presoak all rockers with apc then fully rinse first.Then start washing from top to bottom leaving bottoms last.I usually suds up the left side of the car then rinse and move on cutting the car in sections then rinsing. Dry then use a spraywax booster and dress tires and wheel wells.4 door car in black one hour and fifteen minutes or so.It can be done a whole lot quicker,but my washes look like details after.Not one speck or smear or water residual left behind.

JC997

I use Meguiar's Ultimate Car Wash & Wax after driving for a day and never wash my car. I always wondered what other folks use to clean their car.

Curious if there are better products out there. I have the Ammo waterless car wash which is okay but I find it easier to use Meguiars.

Wayne Smith

They are both good but I've found Optimum leaves fewer streaks for the detailer to remove.

ElectricChair

You can do this and dry it with a leaf blower instead of a towel to avoid scratches. It gonna be a crappy job but better than nothing.

user 729082021

1. Ceramic coat
2. ONR
3. Chill

annalim2008

Using a pressure washer or power washer soap for cars for soap application can help protect car paint from abrasive contaminants that can scratch. It also ensures less effort in cleaning, which is convenient for our busy schedules.

ADias

Nah! No pressure washer soap container stuff. Use a separate foam cannon with a decent surfactant soap instead - Adams. Koch, Meguiar's, CG, etc.