Need help with proper cleaning.

Kinja'd!!! "Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
08/20/2017 at 14:06 • Filed to: None

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Hey Opponauts, I need some advice about properly cleaning my car. I watched Ammo NYC’s video on basic car cleaning, in that he uses a foamer attachment to spray the soap onto the car. I don’t have a former but still want to clean my car with my limited supplies. This is what my soap is. Should I just plunge the sponge in the soapy water and apply it that way? These are my supplies, not pictured is terry cloth and buckets. Thanks I advance. Now I’m off to finish rotating my tires around. The fronts have lost a lot of tread, the rear tires are still pretty good.

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DISCUSSION (7)


Kinja'd!!! Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Maxima Speed
08/20/2017 at 14:20

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Whatever you’re doing, it’s probably wrong. That seems to be the gist whenever car cleaning ever comes up.

I don’t have any real advice, sorry.


Kinja'd!!! Captain of the Enterprise > Maxima Speed
08/20/2017 at 14:27

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I use a microfiber wash mit instead of a sponge. Also I use microfiber towels to dry it.


Kinja'd!!! Rico > Maxima Speed
08/20/2017 at 14:33

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First do tires and wheels. After those are done work on the roof of the car and work your way down.

Have a separate wash bucket and rinse bucket. Use just clean water in the rinse bucket. Use a MF mitt instead of a sponge next time and MF cloths (ditch the terry cloth unless you are using it on the interior). Terry cloth is too rough and can create scratches and swirls especially if it has dirt on it. Sponges are okay but usually don’t release dirt all that well.

Plunge the MF mitt into the wash bucket wash one panel at a time and rinse the dirty mitt in the rinse bucket before putting it back into the wash bucket.


Kinja'd!!! 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Maxima Speed
08/20/2017 at 14:48

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Oh man this is a huge subject and depends on the car. If it’s a new car the normal stuff will be fine. If you want to get more fancy buy a clay bar and wet the car down, rub it gently all over the car, folding the clay as it gets deposits in it. I use a big soft broom/brush meant for cars with new vehicles. The super absorbent drying towel that is kind of rubbery is amazing, you don’t let them dry out, when done you roll it up so it fits in the tube like it came, just give it a twist before and leave it moist. I have a dark blue car so drying is important, that thing really soaks up the water, it’s the best. The cleaning doesn’t look great unless you dry right, a little spray wax is good, just towel it off with a microfiber after you dry the car. I’ve been using Meguiars stuff for a few years now, but someone gave me a huge armor all interior kit so I do use that to freshen things up when I’m waiting for my wife somewhere. If you have black plastic on the car I recommend the meguiars ultimate black, it’s amazing.


Kinja'd!!! Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Maxima Speed
08/20/2017 at 15:00

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I use virgin unicorn tears for the best rinses.


Kinja'd!!! Svend > Maxima Speed
08/20/2017 at 15:05

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As has been said, ditch the sponge. It retains grit that can scratch easily if not thoroughly rinsed out.

If you do wish to snow foam but don’t have a dedicated snow foam gun/lance/canon you can buy a hand pump foamer such as a Kwazar, Mercury, Mesto, etc...

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The principle is to soften the dirt on the vehicle before you come in to wash via the two bucket method so you don’t rub any dirty off but glide over the dirt to remove it.

Using the two bucket method as Rico suggests minimises the amount of grit/dirt being reintroduced to the vehicle, reducing swirls and micromarring.

So, clean wheel and arches, hose off any heavy dirt and debris, foam, allow to dwell but not dry, rinse, then two bucket wash starting at the top working around and down then rinse. If you have any Quick Detailer, you can use that as a drying aid to reduce water spots and aid drying while also adding a little more protection.


Kinja'd!!! Nothing > Maxima Speed
08/20/2017 at 16:40

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Don’t overthink it. I used to spend crazy amounts of time detailing my cars. Then, I realized I drive them.

For me, I use two buckets, one with soap, one with clean water to rinse the dirty sponge. I use a microfiber mitt. To top to bottom on your car. Start roof and work your way down. Keep the entire car wet the entire time, too. You don’t want waterspots to dry out. And then, dry it. Get an Absorber, chamois, or microfiber towels. Drying makes probably the biggest difference. First time I helped my brother in law wash his Porsche, his first comment was about how much better his car looked when he dried it vs letting it air dry.

If you want to get into paint protection and correction, that’s a completely different can of worms.