[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by stbm5

mine is not contactless. bucket with multiple mitts. using multiple mitts eliminates the need for a rinse bucket. but yes its not the last word in detailing, just meant to make the car look great in 30-45min without a ton of effort. getting some low dust brake pads really helps decrease effort spent on wheels.

I think I quoted the wrong guy, lol.

I've seen a few people talk about using multiple wash mitts of towels lately. It makes sense.

[stbm5]

The two best things you can do to speed up and simplify washing is ceramic coating the vehicle and getting low dust pads. There’s also some autofiber products that help with windows and the “mitt on a stick” that can make things easier.

[MaxVO2]

Originally Posted by stbm5

The two best things you can do to speed up and simplify washing is ceramic coating the vehicle and getting low dust pads. There’s also some autofiber products that help with windows and the “mitt on a stick” that can make things easier.

****Low dust pads cut brake dust down 90+ %. Worth every flipping cent I spent on them. I installed them myself and cleaned the rims well while the wheels were off for the new pad install. I have several hundred miles on the new pads doing a variety of driving and the wheels no longer have that goldish tint on them from the stock pads dust on my nice black (stock) M8 rims.

The wheel magnets are still clean and the inside of the rims are as well now, versus caked with brake dust like with the old pads before replacing them and cleaning everything thoroughly first.

I *hated* the stock BMW pads as even after a thorough wheel cleaning you could see dust on them already collecting within 2-3 miles of city driving.

Others with BMW's have mentioned how clean my wheels are as they look at how dirty their wheels are even shortly after detailing their car.

The dust that does come off with the new pads is very very easy to wash off, even with just regular car wash soap and a light brushing.

Anyway, best mod on my car by far in terms of time savings. Car looks much better and the wheels stay cleaner for *much* longer.

[BruinMan]

For your drying agent; try Adam's H2O Guard & Gloss. You can apply on the wet car after your rinse and before you dry the car with an Ego leaf blower.

[clemsondds]

Originally Posted by BruinMan

For your drying agent; try Adam's H2O Guard & Gloss. You can apply on the wet car after your rinse and before you dry the car with an Ego leaf blower.

I haven’t tried that! I’ll check it out. I did just purchase Adams matte detailer, anyone try it?

[clemsondds]

Still trying to find ways to make things quicker. I've always used an EGO but it's kindof old so I think I'll pick up one of the new ones...I think it's double the power. And I bought the CR Spotless water system so that will be nice if I don't have time to dry it.
What do you guys use for in between washes where you just get a bug on the front or some pollen dust...do you use something like ONR? Would prefer something I don't need to get the hose out for.

[louielouie]

Originally Posted by clemsondds

Still trying to find ways to make things quicker. I've always used an EGO but it's kindof old so I think I'll pick up one of the new ones...I think it's double the power. And I bought the CR Spotless water system so that will be nice if I don't have time to dry it.
What do you guys use for in between washes where you just get a bug on the front or some pollen dust...do you use something like ONR? Would prefer something I don't need to get the hose out for.

I don't deal with pollen in LA but there are weeks where I'm too lazy to bust everything out for a contact wash so I'll just prefoam with Auto Foam and rinse it with DI. It's <10 min and gets you 90% there with 10% of the effort.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by clemsondds

Anyone overwhelmed with the complexity and amount of techniques for washing your car? I love washing the cars and am always looking for a more efficient and a better system for getting them clean.
I've got two big vehicles (Escalade ESV and a TRX) and one smaller vehicle...so I'm looking to find a way to take less time to wash all three. Right now, if I go quickly, I can wash all three in about 2-3 hours. That's getting everything out, spray cannon (adam's soap), 2 bucket system (adam's), wheels (colortec felgenr.), spray, blower, and then drying agent wipe down.

Any of you switch to rinseless/waterless?

Treat things different if ppf vs a car that doesn't have ppf? Or matte vs gloss?

What's your favorite drying aid? Can you use a ceramic like product like Gyeon Wetcoat as a drying aid?

There's just so many big brands: Gyeon, Koch, ONR, carpro, adams, nanolex...

I know there are a ton of videos and this has been discussed tons of times before. Just wanted to get everyone's latest system/thoughts.

The system I use on SUV -

1. Jet wash to loosen surface crap
2. Apply APC to lower panels and wheels allowing to dwell for x mins, then jet wash off
3. Apply foam and leave to dwell for x mins, then jet wash off
4. Two bucket contact wash using microfibre pads, soft brushes etc and good shampoo
5. Jet wash
6. Wash down with deionised water.
7. Use blower to dry.
8. Apply maintenance product to ceramic coating

I do the gloss black wheels separately, as these take time to clean and maintain properly.

The products I use are largely from a UK company called Bilt Hamber, apart from the coating maintenance.

My favourite drying aid is this lol ��

[xxpanipuri]

I have 2 washes i do

Contact Wash happens typically 1-2x a year to remove winter grime etc...(or if i've been on a summer road trip)

Brake Cleaner sprayed on wheels
Prewash foamed on car (carpro lift or Bilt Hamber Touchless)
power wash all the 1st layer of dirt / debris off with the soap
Contact wash with a good soap (car pro reset)
Foam on HydroFoam2 and rinse off for some gloss / protection.
Dry (MF Towels / Leaf Blower)


Maintenance wash is typically
Foam on a good soap on the car let it dwell and then rinse/dry

my car does stay garaged when at home and when i come to my office. so that helps ALOT.

[jereze93]

just subscribing to this thread so i can come back and read

[ultrared93]

Originally Posted by MaxVO2

****Low dust pads cut brake dust down 90+ %. Worth every flipping cent I spent on them. I installed them myself and cleaned the rims well while the wheels were off for the new pad install. I have several hundred miles on the new pads doing a variety of driving and the wheels no longer have that goldish tint on them from the stock pads dust on my nice black (stock) M8 rims.

The wheel magnets (weights???) are still clean and the inside of the rims are as well now, versus caked with brake dust like with the old pads before replacing them and cleaning everything thoroughly first.

I *hated* the stock BMW pads as even after a thorough wheel cleaning you could see dust on them already collecting within 2-3 miles of city driving.

Others with BMW's have mentioned how clean my wheels are as they look at how dirty their wheels are even shortly after detailing their car.

The dust that does come off with the new pads is very very easy to wash off, even with just regular car wash soap and a light brushing.

Anyway, best mod on my car by far in terms of time savings. Car looks much better and the wheels stay cleaner for *much* longer.

Which pads are you using? How do they compare with stock in regards to feel and braking effort?

[dreamingat30fps]

I've become lazier and lazier with my washing. I only use 1 bucket with a couple wash mitts (I do have a dedicated wheel bucket). Then I drive it into garage and dry with my masterblaster which I love. Then I will do a final wipe with quick detailer / ceramic booster.

The key to drastically cut down the wash time for me was to get rid of my black car. The new car is silver which is one of the easiest colors to clean and very hard to see any minor imperfections. Life is great right now as all the cars have easy colors.

[clemsondds]

Ok so here’s my plan. Let me know your thoughts. I have three vehicles. One black Escalade ESV with nothing on it (my Detailer said he put a ceramic coat on it but it wasn’t anything long term). I have a ram trx that’s the same as Escalade. Then I have a bmw m3cs with matte paint (except carbon fiber on hood and entire roof) with matte ppf on matte portion and reg ppf on roof and cf areas and then ceramic coat on entire car. So thinking I’ll do initial pressure wash rinse. Then foam with Adams car shampoo. While that soaks, wash wheels and tires with Adams wheel and tire. Then either rinse off and then Foam again and use multiple mitts to physically wash car with one bucket with grit guard, or use two bucket system. Then rinse down with cr spotless water. Then drying aid for m3 would be Adams matte Detailer and for the trx and Escalade, use some sort of ceramic coat like tec582 ceramic detail spray. Thoughts? I’m just looking to obviously clean the cars as fast as possible, while also maintaining the ceramic coating and matte finish on the bmw and giving some protection to the other two. Thoughts? Also, between full washes, use ONR to spray on cars in garage and wipe off dirt/bugs. Is that ok? Sorry for the multiple questions

[rhudewerks]

Drive thru wash is good

[nyalpine90]

which brand do you guys recommend, and psi (2500) ?
RYOBI
Westinghouse
Craftsman
greenworkz

[bosstones]

Originally Posted by clemsondds

Ok so here’s my plan. Let me know your thoughts. I have three vehicles. One black Escalade ESV with nothing on it (my Detailer said he put a ceramic coat on it but it wasn’t anything long term). I have a ram trx that’s the same as Escalade. Then I have a bmw m3cs with matte paint (except carbon fiber on hood and entire roof) with matte ppf on matte portion and reg ppf on roof and cf areas and then ceramic coat on entire car. So thinking I’ll do initial pressure wash rinse. Then foam with Adams car shampoo. While that soaks, wash wheels and tires with Adams wheel and tire. Then either rinse off and then Foam again and use multiple mitts to physically wash car with one bucket with grit guard, or use two bucket system. Then rinse down with cr spotless water. Then drying aid for m3 would be Adams matte Detailer and for the trx and Escalade, use some sort of ceramic coat like tec582 ceramic detail spray. Thoughts? I’m just looking to obviously clean the cars as fast as possible, while also maintaining the ceramic coating and matte finish on the bmw and giving some protection to the other two. Thoughts? Also, between full washes, use ONR to spray on cars in garage and wipe off dirt/bugs. Is that ok? Sorry for the multiple questions

Wheels/tires first, then foam/pre-wash the vehicle. You'll eliminate a 'foam' step, save product, and not have foam drip onto you and/or the wheels/tires while you're trying to clean the latter.

Wrt bugs and dirt, depends on type, how much, and how caked/baked on it is. For instance, ONR itself won't loosen some of the more venerable bug jerky. At the same, a good QD will work just as well for spot cleaning of loose and fresher bugs. 'How' you wipe will mitigate marring/scratches.

Also, for in-between full washes, IMHO, if you're going to ONR, just do the whole vehicle. Otherwise, particularly in the black vehicles, you'll see clean patches and dirty patches. At that point, might as well have peft it one way or the other.

[xxpanipuri]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

which brand do you guys recommend, and psi (2500) ?
RYOBI
Westinghouse
Craftsman
greenworkz

Active 2.0/3.0

[CTPJ]

Originally Posted by nyalpine90

which brand do you guys recommend, and psi (2500) ?
RYOBI
Westinghouse
Craftsman
greenworkz

Originally Posted by xxpanipuri

Active 2.0/3.0

I can highly recommend the Active 2.0 for a cost effective addition to a car wash system. WTS, be careful about advertised vs real world PSI ratings. For example Active advertises the 2.0 as an 1800 PSI unit but at is "Peak" PSI not what you will see when using it. Like all other units, Peak PSI is higher than working PSI. For example, the Active unit's working PSI is around 1000 to 1100 with a flow rated of approximately 2 GPM. IMO, this is the sweet spot for car washing purposes.

[nyalpine90]

I need more POWER to do other things besides car washing lol
must have wheels too

[BlkGS]

I bought an AVA GO, I'm a big fan of it. It's kind of an all in one deal, and performs very similar to an active 2.0 but with better accessories and a lower price.

That said, I have a gas powered pressure washer (Ryobi) for the heavy duty stuff with the house and sidewalks. You don't really want more than like 1200 psi for washing a car. You want much more than that for cleaning concrete though. You can adjust this with different orifice sized tips, but if you don't want to have to figure all that out yourself you can just buy the AVA GO that has different sized tips for different tasks.

I also have an el cheapo $100 1800psi Ryobi for washing the pool deck. It came with a turbo nozzle and it works pretty well for cleaning the pool cage and stuff too. I was going to use it for car wash use at first, with a set of cash wash nozzles that had lower psi and higher gpm, but then I bought the AVA.

Ryobi is coming out with a car wash specific version for $150 that will come with a longer hose (40' vs 20') and higher flow rates. It looks like it's gonna have a crap foam bottle though. I'd consider buying that and a better foam cannon, but then you're like withing spitting distance of the AVA which is better performing.

Neither of these units have wheels, but my wash setup I put on a cart.

[Innovade]

I have 3 foam cannons set up before starting the wash. One for wheels, pre-wash and the contact wash.

1) Spray wheels with P&S Brake Buster in foam cannon, clean with wheel brush
2) Rinse wheels
3) Pre-wash with Bilt Hamber Touch-Less from foam cannon
4) Rinse
5) Contact wash with Koch-Chemie GSF from foam cannon
6) Rinse with DI water
7) Dry with electric leaf blower
8) Use drying towel for any leftover water