So, I didn't coat this truck yet. I might not with how happy I am with the Griot's stuff I'm currently testing.
On my car that is coated, including the wheels, this is my process:
Wheels first. I have a dedicated bucket and assorted brushes.
- Rinse with pressure washer.
- Foam cannon application of P&S Brake Buster on wheels, tires, and fender wells. Let that dwell for a minute or so.
- Scrub fender wells, tires, and agitate wheels.
- Rinse, apply GYEON Wet Coat, rinse again.
Paint next.
- Rinse with pressure washer.
- Foam cannon application of Chemical Guys Snow Foam (Honeydew). Rinse and apply again. As soon as I'm done here, I hit the emblems and other tight spaces with a soft brush.
- Hand wash. I use two buckets, but not traditionally. One bucket is soap and the other is empty. I use 8 wash pads doing a panel at a time. When I'm done, the used mitt goes in the empty bucket and I grab a fresh one for the next panel.
- Rinse with pressure washer.
Dry
- Dry with MetroVac (don't forget the wheels). This gets most of the water off and out of door sills, mirrors, etc.
- Spray on a drying aid (recently switched to Griot's Ceramic Speed Shine) a panel at a time and dry. I use the Gaunlet towels (30x36 and wheel towel) from The Rag Company.
Glass and Trim
- I like Invisible Glass.
- Box method with glass towels from The Rag Company.
- Hit the trim and tires with Chemical Guys VRP.
Then I move on to the interior. As needed, I'll also give the engine bay and undercarriage a good cleaning before I do the paint.
If it's a hot, sunny day, I'll do this in the shop. If it's cloudy and cool, I always prefer to wash my vehicles outside.
There's probably some other things I do but forgot, and this is my process for my maintenance wash.