What do I need for home washing care?

[NinjaMJD]

I want to start saving some money and do most things myself if possible. Plus for some reason out in AZ, it's rare to find a full service car wash unless you call for a mobile detailer, but I probably don't want to be doing that every time I go to wash my truck. So what all do I need to get my baby nice and shiny at home on my driveway? I sadly haven't washed my own vehicle since I was a teenager living at my parents house.

 

[z0n3]

There are lots of things people swear by when washing their vehicles now days. Take a look at some videos on Youtube about the two bucket wash method. Its fairly easy to get everything to do it as you only need soap, water, drying towels, two buckets, and grit guards.

 

[ryant601]

2 five gallon orange buckets from home depot
grit guard (goes in the bottom of one bucket)
a good soap ( I use limitless lather from Limitless Car Care ), but Meguiars Gold class is also good and easy to find.
microfiber wash mitt
some good microfiber (CLEAN) towels
Drying towel if you want to save yourself some time.

Always use the 2-bucket method to wash your truck. FIll the bucket with the grit guard with straight water and one with soapy water. Start with the soapy bucket and wash a little bit of your car, after it loses most of its soap...dunk it in the straight water bucket and wring it out. Put it in the soapy water and continue washing and repeating.

I'd rinse off the soap before it dries on the car.

Most important thing is usingthe 2 bucket method, lot of writing about it on the internet but it'll keep your paint in good shape.

 

[GraniteRam]

Get two wash mitts, one for top half of the truck and one for the lower part(the dirtiest). This with the two bucket method should keep you practically free from swirl marks. Could dry using a leaf blower also. The less time touching the paint the better chance of having no swirls.

 

[NinjaMJD]

How often do you guys wash your trucks, is there a point where it's too much and risks messing with the paint? Do you use any tire dressing, or anything for the interior?

 

[z0n3]

How often do you guys wash your trucks, is there a point where it's too much and risks messing with the paint? Do you use any tire dressing, or anything for the interior?

I wash mine maybe twice a month at most. If you are washing your vehicle properly you wont be inflicting any more damage to the clear coat.

 

[Bo3liwe]

1/Pressure Washer

(Chemical Guys product)
1/STREAK FREE WINDOW CLEAN GLASS CLEANER

2/GLASS AND WINDOW WAFFLE WEAVE TOWEL

3/CARBON FLEX VITALIZE WASH FOR MAINTAINING PROTECTIVE COATINGS

4/BAREBONES UNDERCARRIAGE SPRAY

5/Microfiber Wash Mit

6/Miracle Dryer Towel

 

[Neurobit]

Good tips. I only use two buckets when extremely dirty (which in my case it's unlikely). If not, one bucket w/ grit guard is enough for me.

Cheers,

 

[FlyMike]

Everytime I hear people preaching the two bucket method I like to post this video for an alternative and in my opinion, a better way.

 

[JRD]

A foam cannon!

You can thank me later

 

[ryant601]

if you have access to a foam cannon, I agree that's always best.

Frankly, the less washing you do the better shape your paint will be in. My wife's Escape is immaculate and it's 2 years old, has 3 washes under her belt.

 

[MJP]

I want to start saving some money and do most things myself if possible. Plus for some reason out in AZ, it's rare to find a full service car wash unless you call for a mobile detailer, but I probably don't want to be doing that every time I go to wash my truck. So what all do I need to get my baby nice and shiny at home on my driveway? I sadly haven't washed my own vehicle since I was a teenager living at my parents house.

Good 2 bucket wash job every once in a while then use waterless car wash in between. If you keep it up your truck will rarely be dirty enough for a full wash. Between detail spray and waterless car wash I rarely have to use water and buckets. Also, keep it waxed. I use all Meguiars products but that’s just me.

 

[agjr85]

Follow Youtube Channels form Pan the Organizer, Ammo NYC if you want detailed.
You can also check out video series from Adams or Chemical Guys, however, they are gear to promote their products.

 

[Timeless]

Following up on this....I forgot how damn tall these trucks are.

What are you guys using to reach the added areas? Extension rods, step ladders?

And what ones do you like?

Thanks!

 

[JRD]

Following up on this....I forgot how damn tall these trucks are.

What are you guys using to reach the added areas? Extension rods, step ladders?

And what ones do you like?

Thanks!

I use a step ladder, but Adams Polishes sells a rod and brush for hard to reach areas that I’m considering on getting

 

[KRField]

Following up on this....I forgot how damn tall these trucks are.

What are you guys using to reach the added areas? Extension rods, step ladders?

And what ones do you like?

Thanks!

Werner work plat form found at hardware stores. More stable than step ladders.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Timeless]

Werner work plat form found at hardware stores. More stable than step ladders.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kind of what I was thinking too....thanks!

 

[1776]

Everytime I hear people preaching the two bucket method I like to post this video for an alternative and in my opinion, a better way.

I was a two bucket guy then one day in the middle of a wash I was like WTF am I doing?! Lol never again

 

[z0n3]

I was a two bucket guy then one day in the middle of a wash I was like WTF am I doing?! Lol never again

I mean for people that have access to a power washer and water this works great. For those that take it to a car wash bay the two bucket method is probably as safe as it gets. Atleast better than using the car wash supplied paint ruining brush!

 

[Neurobit]

To tell you the truth, I am not sure how effective foam cannons are for regular use. I got one a couple of years ago and used it two or three times, but I don’t let my vehicle get that trashed to begin with. Perhaps on dirtier vehicles it may make a difference, but how much, in my opinion, is debatable.

Cheers,