The importance of washing properly

[picus]

So I got to talking with Derek and George about this and it reminded me of something I wanted to post. This is my first full summer in Toronto and I'm getting to a lot of client cars the second time now, it's interesting to me to see the difference hand washing versus touchless/auto washing makes; I knew there would be some, but it's quite obvious seeing the cars after 6-8 months. Here are some examples.

Here is a car I did last fall: GTA In Detail (sept 1/06)
I had it 99% perfect, as you can see:



Here it is 9 months later after improper hand washing.



The owner was using an old mitt and old cotton towels to dry.

Here's a 550 Maranello, again; did it last year and it was swirl free:



GTA In Detail

After 10 months of auto washes...





Now here is an S4 I did last year, it started in bad shape.


and we got it sorted.


6 months of PROPER hand washes...and this is what it looked like:


There was almost no marring. Another example, an E55 amg I did last year. I don't have befores but it was a two step process, got them 95% out (hard paint.. :/), GTA In Detail and 10 months later after the owner learned how to wash.

Dirty....



but no marring:



My point? We all know how important it is to wash properly. Others don't - but if you have customers or friends do them a favor and *show* them. It only takes a few months to notice a difference.

[macfights]

picus- please explain the "proper" way to wash... there are a lot of new people to detailing that may or may not know proper washing methods

[picus]

Good idea, I will write the "way I wash" tomorrow. For now, here is an awesome writeup!

Detailed Image - high end auto detailing products, supplies and how-to articles

[derek80]

Another great post Kevin.
IMO washing is, without a doubt, the most important/crucial step to maintain your car. Using the right tool/method and getting comfortable with it will make your detailing life much more easier.

I don't have a "fixed" method of washing, but I do have some key points I always try to follow.

1) Take my time.
2) Less pressure is better. Let my shampoo and mitt do the work, not my elbow grease.
3) Monitor and rinse out my wash mitt as often as possible.

Not a long list, but served me good

[Juztang]

Great post with lots of good info!

[choppstixxx]

+1 to what everyone that has contributed has said.
I try and keep any pressure to a minimum and rinse my mit constantly as well.
I also try not to quick detail with S&W if my car has too much dust/dirt on it.
I think of it as the less I touch my paint (aka wiping down during the week and S&W) the less chance I will damage it.
I rather wait until the end of the week to wash it so then it will not be exposed to the elements like when I work during the week.
I use an electric leaf blower like some do that cuts down for me on drying time and the chances of me damaging the paint when drying.
Sometimes when drying I mist some S&W on dry areas before I wipe it to give it some lubrication.
Also when I do my door jams, rear trunk, and under the hood (in that order since under the hood tends to be the dirtiest) I use my old smaller waffle weave and S&W to dry them. I spray the S&W to give it some lubrication and to clean if they are dirty from rain etc. then wipe it.
I have always heard and said preparation is the key to keeping your car looking great. Wax can only bring out the true beauty of your paint if its prepped correctly.

[Dogged]

Great post.

I was particularly interested in the difference in the paint surfaces months later between the car washed properly by hand and the one washed by touchless auto wash. You have graphically shown the importance of proper hand washing, and why doing all that extra work can be worthwhile.

[derek80]

Ok, this might sound weird or maybe wrong but...

I use 2.5~3 gallon of water with appropriate amount of shampoo needed (or ONR). When I wash my car, to be specific, after I dunk my mitt into washing bucket, I don't like wring my mitt. I like wring directly on paint to provide more lubricity, and them start gliding the mitt (oh and yes I rinse out wash mitt frequently). This is when I do not use my foam gun or don't feel the need to use it.

Does this sound weird or wrong? Do you experts see any downside?

[Kevin@DetailsIM.com]

That E55 is pure sex.

[picus]

Originally Posted by derek80

Ok, this might sound weird or maybe wrong but...

I use 2.5~3 gallon of water with appropriate amount of shampoo needed (or ONR). When I wash my car, to be specific, after I dunk my mitt into washing bucket, I don't like wring my mitt. I like wring directly on paint to provide more lubricity, and them start gliding the mitt (oh and yes I rinse out wash mitt frequently). This is when I do not use my foam gun or don't feel the need to use it.

Does this sound weird or wrong? Do you experts see any downside?

I don't wring the mitt. I take it right from the bucket and put it on the paint. If I do wring it, I'd wring it over the paint, like you.