10 Steps To The Perfect Hand Wash

[Holden_C04]

I`d say starting a thread with this title on this forum is ballsy at least.

I think it was meant for newbees, we were all there once!

Why not name it that then?

See paragraph one:

If you have experience with detailing, you know important it is to wash your vehicle correctly. For those who are new to detailing or who are just discovering my blog for the first time, we will be covering the basic steps.

anyone else here feel that using only a few capfuls of carwash soap just doesnt cut it as far a lubrication goes? i typically use around 6-8 capfuls in 4 1/2 gals. personally id rather remove a little bit more wax than scratch up my car and customer cars. anything less than 5 capfuls makes the brew of soap feel way too watery IMO

You bring up a very valid point. I should have specified that the amount may vary depending on the readers` experience. However, newbies typically use far too much product, rather than too little. I don`t think inadequate lubricity is a problem for most people.

i am a new car owner, still in high school and am very intrested in keeping a cleanly detailed car, the washing portion has given me the greatest trouble (having a black truck) after reading and trying out your method this really helped out in making the final truck look nice.

Thank you

I am glad this article helped. I hope you continue to frequent here and on my blog and expand upon the knowledge you have gained. Your vehicle will thank you for it.

So where did you get the name for "your" blog?



How-To Get The Perfect Shine

I haven`t read this particular article before. Of course, it is simply an article rather than a blog which is a publication.



The Perfect Shine is a rather common phrase, it is bound to be in some publication or another. If you find another blog name The Perfect Shine, however, please let me know asap so I can come up with another name.

[BigJimZ28]

I haven`t read this particular article before. Of course, it is simply an article rather than a blog which is a publication.



The Perfect Shine is a rather common phrase, it is bound to be in some publication or another. If you find another blog name The Perfect Shine, however, please let me know asap so I can come up with another name.

I just found it strange that you picked a phrase that David B.

has use countless times then came on his website to advertise your blog



do a goole search on The Perfect Shine and you will find a ton of hits

from David B and Autopia



just thought it was strange that all

[imported_Grouse]

Holden,



I am looking at this in word. there are a few miss-spellings. Some of that could be because of where you live. (cultural). I like what you have going, it`s a very good way to communicate the necessity of good wash practices to new customers and clients. You have set out as a process manual (how i would explain it to a customer) and sorta finished up as a product manual. ( i generally let them find their own or make separate referrals outside of the process discussion)



It is my understanding since you posted it you would like some feed back. I will take some time and do some edits. We can see where the discussion goes from there. Keep in mind this is not a criticism but commentary based on feed back i have received from my own customers on my wash tutorial.

http://autopia.org/forum/car-detaili...ash#post867944

If you have experience with detailing, you know important it is to wash your vehicle correctly. For those who are new to detailing or who are just discovering my blog for the first time, we will be covering the basic steps.

The above is a good start. You start off by implying they are doing it incorrectly. This is a touchy way to start off. my rewrite.

Everyone knows how to wash a car, right? Let us say you just paid to get the exterior professionally detailed. How do you protect that investment? Simple you look at the most damaging parts of your cars visual maintenance, the wash. Most marring found on a car can be traced back to how it was washed. Below I will outline good wash practices and procedures.

Before we begin, you will need:



2 Large Buckets (preferably new)

Car Wash Soap (for now, use a name brand such as Meguiars)

Microfiber Wash Mitt

Microfiber Drying Towel

I think you are fine here, it`s simple and attainable. Before i jumped into the process i would discuss the items. Buckets, kinds of car soap, wash mitts, drying towels, wheel brushes, all propose cleaners.

1) Pour a small quantity of car wash soap (about 2-3 capfuls) into one bucket and fill both buckets with lukewarm water.

Remember dilution is based on the product recommendations not on any set amounts.

2) Begin by pre-rinsing the vehicle. Move around the vehicle at a gentle pace, making certain to soak the paint as much as possible with your hose. Try to remove or dislodge as much dirt as possible while still being gentle to the paint. Do not use a pressure washer.

This is fairly straight forward. I personally use a pressure washer every day. I can however see the reason for not wanting the customers to start that practice.

3) Once the car is pre-rinsed, you may dip the wash mitt into the soapy bucket and begin washing the car. Use gentle, even strokes in a uniform direction - do not use a circular pattern. This is to prevent a common occurrence called "swirls," effectively millions of tiny scratches caused by small particles of dirt in your wash media. Use of the former method should virtually eliminate the recurrence of swirls.

A bit more description here is needed I think. For instance:

Starting at the roof line wash the top half of the roof with straight even strokes> (almost no pressure) From the front to the back. Wash the front half of the wind shield, A pillar, b, C pillars Side windows and rear window. Rinse the mitt, Move to the other side of the car and repeat the process for the other side of the roof.

4) Once you have completed the top half of the vehicle (hood, roof, windows, and trunk), you may rinse the soap off. For this step, remove the nozzle of the hose. This will allow you to "sheet" the water off the car, reducing the amount of time spent drying afterward.

Good practice. I would however hold off on the sheet rinse till the very end of the wash. This way they don`t have to take off and put on the nozzle every 1/4 panel.

5) Now that the top half of the car has been rinsed, you may begin washing the lower half. Insert the wash mitt into the bucket of clean water. This will remove some of the dirt particulates that have accumulated in it. Resume washing the lower half.



6) With the lower half completely covered in suds, it is now time to rinse for the final time. Use the "sheeting" method as described earlier.

I would also make the clarification that if the car is very dirty to break up the wash into horizontal thirds. IE wash to the belt line trim then wash the lowers as the final step.

7) Dry the vehicle with a microfiber drying towel. Be certain to remove every drop of water as the minerals that form from a drop of water can etch the paint.

Again some explanation or visual of how to dry.

8) Protect all of your rubber trim with a protectant. My favorite product for this is 303 Aerospace Protectant, however products such as Poorboy`s Natural Look and Mother`s Back to Black may serve you just as well.

I generally stay away from product referrals and focus on how to get what ever product on to the paint. Many of what you listed have trigger sprayers. believe it or not some will apply it that way and wipe off the paint. Take the time to explain how to choose an applicator pad, how to apply a couple of drops, edge in trim and finish dressing the trim out. At this point you are outside the realm of a car wash, and into bi-weekly maintenance. I would personally separate this into a different tech article.

9) Wash all of your wheels in the same manner described above. You may use either car wash soap or a dedicated wheel cleaner. Be careful of over the counter products as they contain acids that may harm alloy wheels.

Some what out of order. Most people look at the rims and say what a PIA, and wipe them with a towel. Take some time discussing how to wash the rims. Again visual pictures help a lot.

10) Dress your tires and wheel wells in the same manner as door and window trim. Now, you may sit back and enjoy the view.

Again i would write out a quick note on how that is done and put it into the trim tech article.



~Aaron

[azenthusiast]

I have a question. Not meaning to argue, just curious. Why do you divide the car into an upper and a lower segment rather than washing it panel by panel? Here in Arizona, I usually begin to have the soap dry or basically fall off the car quickly if I try to do a large section at a time.

[imported_Grouse]

Ah very good point. For me here in seattle the bottom is usually a conglomeration of mud, tar, baby raccoons. that stuff does not rinse out of the mitt when you put it in the rinse bucket. So you segregate the very bottom lowers till the end.

[Bobby G]

See paragraph one:

The Perfect Shine is a rather common phrase...

Actually, "The Perfect Shine" is a trademark of The Perfect Shine, LLC, the owner of this site.

[Holden_C04]

Actually, "The Perfect Shine" is a trademark of The Perfect Shine, LLC, the owner of this site.

I apologize for using the trademark in error. I did not realize such a simple phrase could be trademarked as it is in use by so many other companies. Nonetheless, when I think of a new name I will change it and post up here.



Sorry for my error.

[boywonder]

Va, consider this your final warning regarding your sniping at other members. Next complaint I or any other moderator receives, you will be banned without warning.

[imported_Grouse]

I apologize for using the trademark in error. I did not realize such a simple phrase could be trademarked as it is in use by so many other companies. Nonetheless, when I think of a new name I will change it and post up here.



Sorry for my error.

I was thinking about that last night. Visual perfection, I think another member has Perfection through reflection. You might be able to get his permission for that.



~Aaron

[David Fermani]

I was thinking about that last night. Visual perfection, I think another member has Perfection through reflection. You might be able to get his permission for that.



~Aaron

For a small fee......

[imported_Grouse]

LOL, I knew i had seen it alot. Now that explains it.

[charbro]

Holden:



Nice job I enjoyed the write up very much. 3LG very nice of you to help him I don`t have that editing talent. It`s guy like you that make this place a nice place to be.



Happy New Year

[SVR]

Well I don`t hand wash anymore. I`ve found that warm 1100 PSI soap at the Pro wash up the road and a rinse is better than a hand wash for my garage queen



THe soap comes out like a snowstorm and you can`t see the car for the suds

Fortunately the soap keeps the paint slick, I haven`t found any new marks with the lights and I just get out the cheapo orbital, MF bonnet and Aussie`s Showroom glaze QD and do the paint, glass and rear spoiler and the car`s slicker than a new one and looking deeper and clearer each time with more protection

[Holden_C04]

Any more name suggestions for my blog?

[Pennypacker]

Any more name suggestions for my blog?

How about "U Bring It - I Bling It"?



I`m not sure where I got that from.