Double Bucket Shampoo Wash
Car washing and drying most typical process in whole detailing procedure. Most of the swirls and spider web type scratches are caused by improper washing and drying methods.
Weekly shampoo washing keep the car skin free from most of contaminants which in long term can damage the paint like brake dust, roadway chemicals , air pollution, tree sap, birds dropping which can penetrate and permanently damage the clean coat of paint.
1) Necessary Wash Tools
A) Wash mitts that are plush or have deep nap or sheep wash mitt or natural sea sponge all are good tools as they can absorb dirt particles in their deep nap and not scratch the paint.
B) 02 clean buckets, 01 for clean water and 01 for shampoo solution.
C) Clean and soft micro fiber drying towel.
D) Of-course a good quality car shampoo.
E) Grit Guards in Buckets
2) Step by Step Washing Techniques
A) start from wheels / wheel arches, door jambs. Make sure wheels are cool in touch, rinse them with water than use dedicated wheel cleaners ( car shampoo will also work ) and do some soft brushing for wheels, tiers and wheel arches. Wash each wheel and tire at a time and rinse thoroughly before going to next.
B) Wash car in cool, shady spot while car skin not hot as dirt particles become more abrasive on hot surface furthermore shampoo will dry faster on vehicle and leave stains.
C) Choose a good car shampoo with proper rh value, which having lot of natural lubricants / waxes that not strip wax coat on car skin. Never use dish soap or detergents as those having quite stronger cleaning agents which not only remove car wax / sealant coatings but also make skin very dry and cause swirls on surface.
D) Use 2 bucket method
Fill one bucket with clean water and one bucket with car shampoo solution. Read the dilution ratio on back of your shampoo bottle. If car is routine dirty than usually I opt 01 gallon water with 2 capfuls of shampoo ( for making good foam and suds first pour shampoo in bucket than fill the water with pressurize water. Use grit Guards in both buckets to minimize swirls.
Now rinse whole car with with water, start washing from roof, than windows, back hood, doors, hood and in last wash bumpers, lower door panels as usually these area most dirty and if you wash them in first stage your wash mitt become dirty and will make mess and swirls/scratches on rest of car.
Dip your clean wash mitt in shampoo solution bucket and softly wipe on roof and than dip in clean water bucket and rinse out the grit and contamination which your wash mitt removed from your roof, now again dip wash mitt in soapy water and continue washing rest of car.
Now rinse car thoroughly, again start from roof and wash down the vehicle, no need to use highly pressure water/blast just do free flowing water, this will allow the water to sheet off the vehicle and help to reduce your drying effects.
E) Drying
After washing, drying process is necessary to prevent water spotting on painted/ non painted surface including glass as water has minerals as water evaporates, the minerals remain on surface and they will eventually creates water spots/marks which will itch the paint and would require paint correction process.
Here again use a soft clean micro fibers, micro fiber cloths having good water absorbents and quickly dry the car. Don?t rub micro fiber forcly, infect let micro fiber to absorb water. I have seen people forcly rub the cloth on wet surface to dry which cause swirls and scratches. Infect its micro fibers who who absorb water with very soft hands and slow movement.
First dry the windows, than painted surface and in last tiers, rims , door jambs, trunk and hood jambs etc ( for this purpose you can use another piece of microfiber and keep separately for this purpose only ).
