First Timer Wants To Learn The Ropes Of Hand Washing

Dukers · April 6, 2009

Hello everyone, once again. haha

So with the spare time of spring break I'm trying to get a lot of things done with / to my '08 black silverado. One of the things i'd like done is my first Hand wash / wax. Problem is, I've never hand washed a car (or waxed for that matter) and have no supplies at all. I'd really appreciate your help as far as lists of products go. I'm kinda hoping this becomes a 1 stop FAQ for Hand Washing 101 basically... My dad died 5 years ago and me being 17 and this being my first vehicle that i've owned I want it to last for way upwards of 100,000 miles and I really intend to take great care of it. So, if you guys don't mind helping I'd like a step-by-step process of the washing (like that two bucket method i read somewhere around here..)1. Wash it 2. Polish with xxxx 3. Wax with xxxx or whatever. How to wash it, with what products. Everything from bucket types to cleaners to rags and stuff EVERYTHING. Even the inside too would be helpful. Thanks a bunch.

99silveradoz71 · April 6, 2009

Microfiber mitts or towels are great to reduce causing swirls in the paint. As for products, I use Meguiars. They're available at the local auto parts stores here as well as via their website.

Dukers · April 6, 2009

Meguiars. Do they have like wash stuff, then polish stuff, then wax stuff?

and what is the order to do all that anyways? idk..

Wingnut · April 6, 2009

I'm going to warn you...This is one of those topics that you'd never suspect it...But some people will go to e-blows over detailing products and procedures.

So buckle up bud...If this thread takes off, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Personally, on the GTO, I use two buckets that I stole from some squids about 10 years ago. One for clean soapy water, the other has a grate/grill in it for rinsing the sponge. I'll also rinse my sponge with the hose before going back into the clean water. Has this stopped swirls and micro-scratches? HELL NO But there are less of them, that's for sure. And a good swirl removal product easily gets rid of them.

You'll get 100 opinions on what products/brands to use, so I'll just say try a couple (everybody you know probably has 3 or 4 different kinds on the shelf in the garage) and see what you like.

Oh...And being in AZ...I doubt you're going to have a problem getting a vehicle past 100k miles. I think I've only gotten rid of ONE with less than 100k miles (not counting wrecks) in my entire life. And I'm hard on my stuff

pennzoil29 · April 6, 2009

I like Meguiar's product's, but like Mike said, everybody has their own favorites , and technic's for washing their truck. Just try to avoid doing it in the wind, you'll start using four letter words.

cev103 · April 6, 2009

I use Mothers products, just because thats what I have always use, but I'm not going to preach to you about what you should use. As Wingnut mentioned above, I also use 2 buckets (one for rinsing and one with soap and water) and I use the Grit Gaurd in the bottom of my soap bucket. I use a micro-fiber wash mitt and use the Absorber to dry my truck.

I would definetly clay bar the paint before you hand wax, and this will also make waxing go much easier. I also use a spray wax after every wash (only in between my clay bar/waxing routine which I do 2-3 times a year) as this helps keep up your wax job and minimizes swirl marks in the paint. When I am all done, I put my wash mitt and absorber in the washing machine (just don't put the absorber in the dyer) and then store them in a plastic bag so they are clean and ready for my next wash.

ryan_hermanutz · April 6, 2009

Everyone will tell you a different way. Go to your local parts store and buy the wash you think will work the best. Don't be afraid of switching brands if you don't think its working all that well. Try washing when it's not to hot out, early morning or in the shade. Only was portions of the truck that you can get cleaned and rinsed before the soap starts to dry. Use the 2 mitt process, one for paint and one for wheels. Keep your mitts clean and rinsed off, the more dirt on the mitt the more scratches you'll get. When washing I use the wash each part twice method. I wash side to side then I go back and wash top to bottom, this is how I make sure that I didn’t miss any spots. It’s not fool proof but it usually works. Dry off your truck as soon as you can. There are many different tricks for that. After I'm done washing the entire truck I rinse it down a second time with just the hose, no nozzle, and then start drying from the top down. The cleaner you keep your truck the easier it will be to clean. Good luck!

Zembonez · April 6, 2009

I absolutely would never hand wash a new vehicle... ESPECIALLY a black one! No matter how many bazillion dollars you spend on exotic imported softer than newborn kitten mitts and rags, the first time you lay it on a dirty finish and start to wash... you are going to drag all of the dirt across that nice new finish. This simply is not a point that can be logically argued. Dragging dirt across your paint with ANY kind of cloth is going to create tiny scratches in the paint that will build up over time and look like crap. (This statement will likely bring on angry responses from the 12 bucket, 3 day in the driveway hand wash crowd who proclaim this to be the best method)

<yawn>

Swirl marks and scratches on black paint are not pretty. Find a good hand held spray wash bay near you or one of the laser wash (touchless) washes and be happy. Always follow up with a high quality and very clean chamois to prevent water spots (on a now CLEAN surface) and your truck will look great years from now. You'll even find that waxing is needed MUCH less because you aren't constantly scuffing up the finish in the driveway.

EDIT: Oh yeah... BE HAPPY!

VMax2007 · April 6, 2009

I absolutely would never hand wash a new vehicle... ESPECIALLY a black one! No matter how many bazillion dollars you spend on exotic imported softer than newborn kitten mitts and rags, the first time you lay it on a dirty finish and start to wash... you are going to drag all of the dirt across that nice new finish. This simply is not a point that can be logically argued. Dragging dirt across your paint with ANY kind of cloth is going to create tiny scratches in the paint that will build up over time and look like crap. (This statement will likely bring on angry responses from the 12 bucket, 3 day in the driveway hand wash crowd who proclaim this to be the best method)

<yawn>

Swirl marks and scratches on black paint are not pretty. Find a good hand held spray wash bay near you or one of the laser wash (touchless) washes and be happy. Always follow up with a high quality and very clean chamois to prevent water spots (on a now CLEAN surface) and your truck will look great years from now. You'll even find that waxing is needed MUCH less because you aren't constantly scuffing up the finish in the driveway.

EDIT: Oh yeah... BE HAPPY!

My "still-in-showroom-condition" BLACK 2000 GMC would like to have a word with you about this opinion.

It was hand-washed/waxed it's entire life (summer) and touchless washed (winter).

Any minor swirls are easily removed with an annual polish/wax.

Everytime I see that truck I want to kick myself squarely in the ass for selling it.

Zembonez · April 6, 2009

I absolutely would never hand wash a new vehicle... ESPECIALLY a black one! No matter how many bazillion dollars you spend on exotic imported softer than newborn kitten mitts and rags, the first time you lay it on a dirty finish and start to wash... you are going to drag all of the dirt across that nice new finish. This simply is not a point that can be logically argued. Dragging dirt across your paint with ANY kind of cloth is going to create tiny scratches in the paint that will build up over time and look like crap. (This statement will likely bring on angry responses from the 12 bucket, 3 day in the driveway hand wash crowd who proclaim this to be the best method)

<yawn>

Swirl marks and scratches on black paint are not pretty. Find a good hand held spray wash bay near you or one of the laser wash (touchless) washes and be happy. Always follow up with a high quality and very clean chamois to prevent water spots (on a now CLEAN surface) and your truck will look great years from now. You'll even find that waxing is needed MUCH less because you aren't constantly scuffing up the finish in the driveway.

EDIT: Oh yeah... BE HAPPY!

My "still-in-showroom-condition" BLACK 2000 GMC would like to have a word with you about this opinion.

It was hand-washed/waxed it's entire life (summer) and touchless washed (winter).

Any minor swirls are easily removed with an annual polish/wax.

Everytime I see that truck I want to kick myself squarely in the ass for selling it.

BLAH BLAH BLAH.....

I've never had to remove swirls from mine.

VMax2007 · April 6, 2009

BLAH BLAH BLAH.....

Only my opinion counts, nobody else's.

Fixed

VR021302 · April 6, 2009

This is the first time I have ever heard of the 2-bucket wash, or the grit-guard. Thanks for the info.

As for Zem's comment about the touch-free wash, iffy, the high pressure washes strip off wax easier and can cause just as much damage as a dirty mitt. The touch-free washes have "grit" in them that "scrapes" the dirt off.

I prefer either Mother's or Meguiar's products for wash/wax/polish. But I use Eagle One 20/20 for my windows,cause it's tint safe, and Black Magic Tire Wet for my tires and external plastic (rear bumper step pad, mirror housings, and bed caps).

pennzoil29 · April 6, 2009

BLAH BLAH BLAH.....

Only my opinion counts, nobody else's.

Fixed

Here we go again.

VMax2007 · April 6, 2009

BLAH BLAH BLAH.....

I've never had to remove swirls from mine.

Yeah, but when's the last time you owned an 8 year old black truck that went through 8 MN winters?

I win...again.

Zembonez · April 6, 2009

BLAH BLAH BLAH.....

Only my opinion counts, nobody else's.

Fixed

Hey! Thanks!

This is the first time I have ever heard of the 2-bucket wash, or the grit-guard. Thanks for the info.

As for Zem's comment about the touch-free wash, iffy, the high pressure washes strip off wax easier and can cause just as much damage as a dirty mitt. The touch-free washes have "grit" in them that "scrapes" the dirt off.

HOLY COW! Felix... stop drinking the Kool Aid! Absolutely nothing but biodegradable filtered liquids are used in the "laser" wash systems. They even soften the water and recycle through a purification / filtration system. There is no grit or paint damage involved. Did you hear this from your Grandfather or something?