Needing Basic Car Washing Advice...

[TripleB]

I just purchased a 2013 Black Kia Optima and am wanting to make sure I don't make the same mistakes washing it that I did with my 2002 Honda Accord. Looking at my black Accord now I see all the swirl marks and realize how much damage I did to the paint by the way I went about washing it. Now, with a new car, I want to do things right this time.

So I've got several questions (which will probably seem very basic to you):

1) After doing some reading I understand the 2 bucket method. If I use the 2 bucket method, would I still need to purchase something like the Grit Guard Insert?

2) What car washing shampoo does a great job, is safe on my paint, and is affordable?

3) I've searched everywhere for a lambswool wash mitt but can't find one around my area. Since that is the case, will a Microfiber Wash Mitt or a Microfiber Chenille do the job without scratching the paint or causing swirl marks?*

4) When drying it after washing, I understand that I should 'pat' dry the car. What should I use (microfiber drying towel?) to pat dry the car?*

5) When cleaning the wheels, is it best to use a brush or to use a second wash mitt (one that wasn't used on the car)?*

6) What other advice would you give me?

* What specific: A) Wash Mitt, B) Drying Towel, and C) Brush (or mitt) for cleaning the wheels, would you recommend?

From what little I've read, the following products get pretty good reviews and are relatively cheap: Meguiars Gold Class Car Wash and Shampoo, Meguiars Microfiber Wash Mitt X3002, Cobra Supreme Guzzler Waffle Weave, Viking Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel, Smartwax Premium Chenille Scratch Free Microfiber Wash Mitt.

Thanks for any and all help/input.

TripleB

[BobbyG]

Welcome to Autogeek Online!! :props:

Autogeek offers so many great products and of the many I've tried it's difficult to beat Duragloss #901 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-car-wash-concentrate.html) on both price and performance.

When it comes to washing media I'm sort of purest and lamb wool has been my favorite for longer than I can remember. Recently I've been using a Microfiber Chenille and love it. I feel it holds more washing solution and rinses cleaner than my traditional lams wool so now it's my go to mitt.

Cobra Waffle Weave Guzzlers are a great great drying towel now some food for thought. I dry the majority of my vehicles with an electric leaf blower. This removes 97% if the droplets without ever toughing the finish. If I need to selectively dry something then I'll break out the drying towel to finish it up...

Daytona Wheel Brushes work great here. These combined with a nice tire & wheel cleaner will make those gems look better than new...

Basic steps in order are:

• Wash
• Clay
• Paint Correction & Polish
• Seal
• Wax



Process Order

Efficiency is one of the keys to detailing. What I mean by that is plan your work so you're not redoing anything that you've already completed.

We all have our own ideas that make sense to each of us and work, otherwise why do them. I approach most details in the following order. Without going into a lot of detail, this is sort of a high level but I think you can see my thought process.

Interior - I like to clean the interior first. Everything is cleaned and treated including the door jambs.

Engine Compartment - A thorough cleaning, rinse, dry, then I apply a dressing to everything to give it that new look.

Trunk - Vacuum and organize.

Tires & Wheels - I'll clean each wheel, barrel, tire and wheel well. These are done before the body so that harsh chemicals and water do not come in contact with a freshly waxed finish.

Exterior Wash - Thoroughly wash the exterior paying particular attention to those smaller areas. Wash & rinse from the top down. Use small brushes to clean and decontaminate trim, emblems etc.

Clay - Clay each panel thoroughly before moving on to the next.

Compound & Polish - I'm not going to go int this step by step but this is where this belongs in my process. If I'm not correcting the paint I'll at a minimum use a paint cleaner or 1-step product like Meguiar's D151.


Open hood, trunk, and doors to wipe any water that might have accumulated.

Wash & Dry - I rewash and dry to remove any splatter that may have resulted from the compound & polish phase. This gets rid of these tiny spots while they're still soft.

Sealant & Wax - What ever protective coat you choose to use belongs here.

Glass - Clean all glass surfaces and ensure they're streak free

Trim - Use a quality trim treatment that give plastics and rubber components that new rich look.

Tires & Wheels - Apply a treatment to these and the wheels wells.


If you become interested in finish maintenance, and you will, here some information that will come on handy...


Porter Cable 7424xp


Porter Cable 7424xp (http://www.autogeek.net/porter-cable-7424xp.html)
Lake Country Backing Plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)
Lake Country Flat Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html)
Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/da-microfiber-starter-kit-5in.html)


Here's some great information by Mike Phillips that will help you learn the correct way moving forward. Mike has written so much great information, I like to reference it often as it spot on and an easy read...


Sectional Pass With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/24074-show-car-garage-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-polishing-da-polisher.html)
Removing Swirls (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/20021-definitive-how-article-removing-swirls-scratches-water-spots-using-porter-cable-7424xp-g110v2-griot-s-garage-polisher.html)
DA Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)
Waxing With a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pinnacle-wax/28651-how-machine-apply-wax-using-da-polisher.html)
How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)
DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)
How to MAXIMIZE your DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-your-da-polisher.html)


Detailing Clay



Even show cars might need to be clayed... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/42288-even-show-cars-might-need-clayed.html)
The Baggie Test - How to inspect for above surface bonded contaminants (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27967-baggie-test-how-inspect-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html)
The 3 primary benefits of using detailing clay to clay paint (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/27969-3-primary-benefits-using-detailing-clay-clay-paint.html)
Tips and Tricks for using detailing clay (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/20259-tips-techniques-using-detailing-clay.html)
Do I need to wash my car after I use detailing clay to clay the paint? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/22721-do-i-need-wash-my-car-after-i-use-detailing-clay-clay-paint.html)
How often do I need to clay my car? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/22015-how-often-do-i-need-clay-my-car.html)
How detailing clay works and how to use detailing clay to remove above surface bonded contaminants (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-videos/24319-show-car-garage-video-how-detailing-clay-works-how-use-detailing-clay-remove-above-surface-bonded-contaminants.html)


Product Recommendations

Wash - Duragloss #901 (http://www.autogeek.net/duragloss-car-wash-concentrate.html)
Clay - Meguiar’s Clay (http://www.autogeek.net/megovclay.html)
Compound - PG 1000 – PowerGloss Compound (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-powergloss-compound.html) (POS34A)
Polish - PF 2500 – Power Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-polish-po203.html) (PO203)
Finishing Polish - SF 4000 – Super Finish Polish (http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-nano-polish-po-106-fa-finishing-polish.html) (PO106FA)
Sealant - Ultima Paint Guard Plus (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-paint-guard-plus.html)
Wax - Collinite 845 (http://www.autogeek.net/collinite-insulator-wax-845.html)
Spray Wax -Optimum Spray Car Wax (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-spray-wax.html)
Tire Cleaner - Meguiar's Super Degreaser (http://www.autogeek.net/mg10801.html)
Tire Treatment - CarPro PERL (http://www.autogeek.net/perl-coat-protectant.html)
Trim - Ultima Tire and Trim Guard (http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-tire-trim-guard.html)
Wheel Cleaner - Meguiar's Wheel Brightener (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiar-s-wheel-brightener.html)
Wheel Protectant -Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html)
Glass Cleaner - Meguiar's Glass Cleaner (http://www.autogeek.net/mg12001.html)
Glass Treatment - Aquapel (http://www.autogeek.net/rain-repellent.html)
All Purpose Cleaner - Optimum Power Clean (http://www.autogeek.net/128oz-optimum-power-clean-apc.html)
Interior Protectant - Meguiar’s M40 (http://www.autogeek.net/mg40128.html)
Chrome & Stainless Steel - BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond Metal Acrylic Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/blackfire-all-metal-sealant.html)

[Wayneezy]

1) After doing some reading I understand the 2 bucket method. If I use the 2 bucket method, would I still need to purchase something like the Grit Guard Insert?

Yes use a grit guard in both buckets. You can never be too safe

2) What car washing shampoo does a great job, is safe on my paint, and is affordable?

Optimum Car Wash Hands down the best

3) I've searched everywhere for a lambswool wash mitt but can't find one around my area. Since that is the case, will a Microfiber Wash Mitt or a Microfiber Chenille do the job without scratching the paint or causing swirl marks?*

I use a microfiber was mit. No issues thus far and easy to use with the grit guard

4) When drying it after washing, I understand that I should 'pat' dry the car. What should I use (microfiber drying towel?) to pat dry the car?*

I use a huge microfiber towel myself. For a full car dry i usually use 2 or 3

5) When cleaning the wheels, is it best to use a brush or to use a second wash mitt (one that wasn't used on the car)?*

I spray Griots heavy duty wheel cleaner on tire and wheel. Aggitate with a wheel brush on the face and use a daytona brush to get in between and behind the spoke.

6) What other advice would you give me?

[c5errr]

1) After doing some reading I understand the 2 bucket method. If I use the 2 bucket method, would I still need to purchase something like the Grit Guard Insert?
A) its always better to have grit guards they work
and i always use 1 bucket method with grit guard and still after almost a year since i bought my corvette it does not have any swirls

2) What car washing shampoo does a great job, is safe on my paint, and is affordable?
a)me i always use meguiars i use meguiars wash&wax

3) I've searched everywhere for a lambswool wash mitt but can't find one around my area. Since that is the case, will a A)Microfiber Wash Mitt or a Microfiber Chenille do the job without scratching the paint or causing swirl marks?*
i use meguiars microfiber wash mitt its soft on the paint and wont scratch as long as you spray it clean with water after wash

4) When drying it after washing, I understand that I should 'pat' dry the car. What should I use (microfiber drying towel?) to pat dry the car?*
A)my method of washing is 1) rinse 2) wash 3) rinse 4) spray detailer directly on a panel while still wet then wipe very gently with meguiars water magnet towel then buff any streaks with clean microfiber towel <-- each panel at a time

5) When cleaning the wheels, is it best to use a brush or to use a second wash mitt (one that wasn't used on the car)?*
A)i clean my wheels once every couple of weeks with wheel brush megs APC 4:1 and tire brush for tires then dressing

[Bunky]

1. A grit guard is just another item that can help reduced swirls from wash induced marring. Instead of a second bucket, you can rinse out the wash mitt to accomplish the same basic goal which is to not put the dirt in the mitt back into the wash bucket.

Swirls are not often seen on lighter paints.

2. Optimum Car Wash

3. I would suggest you order several quality wool or microfiber mitts to be sure. You should always have several spares since they can get dirty, damaged, etc. Once retired from paint, they often can be used on wheels.

4. The pat dry process is just blotting up the water using a drying towel. You spread the towel off the wet paint and let the towel soak up the water. You can then follow with some detail spray to pick up the residue.

5. You can use a nice soft brush or second mitt on the wheels. The choice depends on the type and complexity of the wheels. If you wash your car often, you can get away with just soap and water on wheels since they may not get that dirty.