NFT: Favorite car wash products and methods??

Get it ceramic coated. It will protect the paint and give it a mirror shine.

and Meguiars. Don't overthink it.

Foam cannon looks like fun so i mean for that factor alone its worth it. I have the one for the garden hose and it's ok but nothing like the power washing one.

Most Microfiber towels are the same just look for decent quality ones that won't scratch your paint (especially on darker color cars)

Ceramic Coating is a great suggestion, jet seal from chemical guys is good as well and can be used with the ceramic coating.

Honestly just read some articles on chemical guys or watch videos and you'll figure it out.

Yes to the two buckets with grit guards
Yes to two wash pads
Yes to the foam cannon
Yes to a PH balanced soap
Yes to a pressure washer

When washing the car use two pads. Start from the top down. One pad for the the top of the car all the way to the middle of the door. The second pad is for mid door down.

Best Car Was Soap to me is Adams Car Shampoo. Smells great, ph balanced (protects your wax) and works great.

If you're going to wash your wheels/tires do this first before even washing the car. Make a bucket for that too.

I hope this helps.

In comment 14491438 BigBlue2007 said:

Quote:

Yes to the two buckets with grit guards Yes to two wash pads Yes to the foam cannon Yes to a PH balanced soap Yes to a pressure washer When washing the car use two pads. Start from the top down. One pad for the the top of the car all the way to the middle of the door. The second pad is for mid door down. Best Car Was Soap to me is Adams Car Shampoo. Smells great, ph balanced (protects your wax) and works great. If you're going to wash your wheels/tires do this first before even washing the car. Make a bucket for that too. I hope this helps.

Adding in..

These are my washing steps:

1. Rinse Car
2. Foam Car with Foam Cannon/Foam Gun (this is to add a lubricant to the paint to reduce scratches during two bucket wash)
3. Two Bucket Wash
4. Rinse Car
5. Dry Car

Clay Bar. Pulls so much shit out of your paint and makes it look great.

BB07...that's the order I was landing on but you definitely helped flesh out some details..

Worth investing in a 1800-2000psi electric pressure washer instead of using my 3200psi gas beast??


Also to those who mentioned ceramic coating...believe it or not the delivery advisor at Tesla mentioned it to my wife and almost convinced her I should do it... Found a good place near me to do it, just a matter of whether it's worth the $1-2K they quoted for it.

In comment 14491571 moze1021 said:

Quote:

BB07...that's the order I was landing on but you definitely helped flesh out some details.. Worth investing in a 1800-2000psi electric pressure washer instead of using my 3200psi gas beast?? Also to those who mentioned ceramic coating...believe it or not the delivery advisor at Tesla mentioned it to my wife and almost convinced her I should do it... Found a good place near me to do it, just a matter of whether it's worth the $1-2K they quoted for it.

Not necessary to have the pressure washer but it is nice to have. Plus if you go foam cannon and not gun it’s a requirement.

I use the pressure washer sometimes with the foam cannon/lance or I use the foam gun with the hose.

In comment 14491571 moze1021 said:

Quote:

BB07...that's the order I was landing on but you definitely helped flesh out some details.. Worth investing in a 1800-2000psi electric pressure washer instead of using my 3200psi gas beast?? Also to those who mentioned ceramic coating...believe it or not the delivery advisor at Tesla mentioned it to my wife and almost convinced her I should do it... Found a good place near me to do it, just a matter of whether it's worth the $1-2K they quoted for it.

Yes do the ceramic if you can afford it. Once it is applied proper washing technique/process will be paramount.

thanks to buying two new cars in the spring. I was retiring, and both family cars came to the end of their life cycles. I did copious research and listed all my preferences and purchases in a spreadsheet. If you want to share your email address, I'd be happy to send the spreadsheet to you.

Although I haven't done it, I agree that ceramic coating is a good idea if you really want to keep your car well protected and shiny. Yes, it's expensive, but you care enough about cars to have bought a Tesla... Some people actually consider the ceramic coatings too glossy and "cold," but those people may be nuts. If you get a ceramic coating, your washing and touch-up products should be made for ceramics.

The best YouTube channels for learning about detailing are:
1) Ammo NYC
2) Pan the Organizer -- look for his annual list of best products
3) Adams
4) Obsessed Garage (very slow and droning, but OCD thorough)

I haven't bought a foam cannon or pressure washer. I believe, however, that higher pressure ones (above 2000 psi) can degrade your clearcoat. Go lightly. The Tesla/Rolls of pressure washers is the Kranzle.

Several random observations:
1) I use three buckets, dedicating one for tires/wheels because of brake dust
2) I use three mitts, also. One from top of car to mid-door. One from there to bottom (same mitt for grille and bumpers). One for wheels, though I also use brushes.
3) Grit Guard buckets are good.
4) For a full range of products, the best all-round are Meguiars, Chemical Guys, Adams, and Ammo. I haven't tried Ammo, but I expect they're excellent.
5) Meguiars Synthetic Express Wax is terrific for drying & touch ups after a wash.

My choices:
Adams blue shampoo
Meguiars Synthetic Express Wax (after wash)
Microfiber Madness mitt or pad
The Rag Company microfiber towels (I have about half a dozen different types, based on different jobs. For everyday, I buy cheap blue ones from Amazon.
Chemical Guys Inner Clean for interior trim
Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather for leather touch-up
Stoners Invisible Glass glass cleaner
Car Pro Tar-X tar remover
Sea Foam Bugs Be Gone or Citrol 266 (which also works for tar) Rinse quickly.
Jescar PowerLock Plus sealant
Collonite 845 wax

Using a clay bar (Clay Magic, with Chemical Guys Clay Luber) before a major wax turned out to be easier and more satisfying than expected. Good for snagging tiny bits of tar and sap.

This list is only about 1/2 to 1/3 of the full one, which includes all the different towels, applicators, iron removers, leather care, sponges. It's a dark, dark world -- but I enjoy keeping my cars clean. And I'm happy to spare someone the weeks of research I did.

Will not wash the Tesla. I believe it’s for electrical reasons. You may want to check if you do decide to get it washed.

In comment 14491803 CT Charlie said:

Quote:

thanks to buying two new cars in the spring. I was retiring, and both family cars came to the end of their life cycles. I did copious research and listed all my preferences and purchases in a spreadsheet. If you want to share your email address, I'd be happy to send the spreadsheet to you. Although I haven't done it, I agree that ceramic coating is a good idea if you really want to keep your car well protected and shiny. Yes, it's expensive, but you care enough about cars to have bought a Tesla... Some people actually consider the ceramic coatings too glossy and "cold," but those people may be nuts. If you get a ceramic coating, your washing and touch-up products should be made for ceramics. The best YouTube channels for learning about detailing are: 1) Ammo NYC 2) Pan the Organizer -- look for his annual list of best products 3) Adams 4) Obsessed Garage (very slow and droning, but OCD thorough) I haven't bought a foam cannon or pressure washer. I believe, however, that higher pressure ones (above 2000 psi) can degrade your clearcoat. Go lightly. The Tesla/Rolls of pressure washers is the Kranzle. Several random observations: 1) I use three buckets, dedicating one for tires/wheels because of brake dust 2) I use three mitts, also. One from top of car to mid-door. One from there to bottom (same mitt for grille and bumpers). One for wheels, though I also use brushes. 3) Grit Guard buckets are good. 4) For a full range of products, the best all-round are Meguiars, Chemical Guys, Adams, and Ammo. I haven't tried Ammo, but I expect they're excellent. 5) Meguiars Synthetic Express Wax is terrific for drying & touch ups after a wash. My choices: Adams blue shampoo Meguiars Synthetic Express Wax (after wash) Microfiber Madness mitt or pad The Rag Company microfiber towels (I have about half a dozen different types, based on different jobs. For everyday, I buy cheap blue ones from Amazon. Chemical Guys Inner Clean for interior trim Chemical Guys Sprayable Leather for leather touch-up Stoners Invisible Glass glass cleaner Car Pro Tar-X tar remover Sea Foam Bugs Be Gone or Citrol 266 (which also works for tar) Rinse quickly. Jescar PowerLock Plus sealant Collonite 845 wax Using a clay bar (Clay Magic, with Chemical Guys Clay Luber) before a major wax turned out to be easier and more satisfying than expected. Good for snagging tiny bits of tar and sap. This list is only about 1/2 to 1/3 of the full one, which includes all the different towels, applicators, iron removers, leather care, sponges. It's a dark, dark world -- but I enjoy keeping my cars clean. And I'm happy to spare someone the weeks of research I did. Jescar power lock is a great product I hear. I agree Adams blue shampoo is the top notch.

regular, commercial car wash no good?

In comment 14492197 oghwga said:

Quote:

regular, commercial car wash no good?

The cloth/brust car wash aka "swirl o matic" causes micro scratches on the car's paint called swirl marks. If you're into paint correction it undermines all your hard work and time spent polishes the paint.

The chemicals that the touchless car was use are harsh on your car's protection (i.e. wax and sealant). It also really doesn't clean the car that well because you need to agitate to remove dirt.

The best car was method is the two bucket method mentioned above (a third bucket for wheels. There are also some rinseless wash methods that are great too (i.e. ONR Rinseless Wash).

In comment 14492281 BigBlue2007 said:

Quote:

In comment 14492197 oghwga said: Quote: regular, commercial car wash no good? The cloth/brust car wash aka "swirl o matic" causes micro scratches on the car's paint called swirl marks. If you're into paint correction it undermines all your hard work and time spent polishes the paint. The chemicals that the touchless car was use are harsh on your car's protection (i.e. wax and sealant). It also really doesn't clean the car that well because you need to agitate to remove dirt. The best car was method is the two bucket method mentioned above (a third bucket for wheels. There are also some rinseless wash methods that are great too (i.e. ONR Rinseless Wash).

brush not brust*

you bastards are going to ruin my life as I head down this rabbit hole.

In comment 14492338 oghwga said:

Quote:

you bastards are going to ruin my life as I head down this rabbit hole.

LOL

like the distance running I used to do.

By the way, the Jescar Powerlock Plus sealant goes on quite easily and lasts long. This summer, as an experiment, I may even skip the Collinite 845 wax, just because it's more work.

Two good suppliers of products are Sky's the Limit and Detailers' Domain.

By the kit from Avalon King for $69 and do it yourself. I just did it on my 2019 Challenger Hellcat and it came out great! Incredible shine, stays clean much longer between washes.

Plus, it's on sale until today, 7/5.
DIY ceramic coating - ( New Window )

No one cares if they're shiny.

In comment 14492366 CT Charlie said:

Quote:

like the distance running I used to do. By the way, the Jescar Powerlock Plus sealant goes on quite easily and lasts long. This summer, as an experiment, I may even skip the Collinite 845 wax, just because it's more work. Two good suppliers of products are Sky's the Limit and Detailers' Domain.

Detailers Domain for supplies is great plus they do an awesome job with their own detailing services.

Trying to get to the local ceramic coating spot sometime soon...only open during business hours so having a hard time getting my schedule clear.. appreciate all the help!!