I have had my V8V as my daily driver for the last 6mos (texas) so always pretty nice weather...

I have always hand washed the car, but it takes a lot of effort so it’s dirty more than clean.

Scared to use a touchless auto wash, haven’t even tried a wand wash... What are your regular wash methods?

Am I over cautious? I also have a lotus elise, anything other than a hand wash will cause damage or water penetration in the cabin.

 

I use foam cannon... takes 30 minutes start to finish with air blower dry...

much simpler to keep car clean with ceramic coating

 

Touchless is fine

 

touchless is not recommended...they use very harsh chemicals in order to get the dirt off...will strip your wax/coating/sealant and clear coat over time...

best is to do hand wash with quality products yourself, and proper technique. This video is a good intro

 

MRCW- what product do you use for cleaning with your foam cannon?

 

I prefer hand wash when I have the time, detailing is my meditation. If I don't have the time though, rather than let it go dirty I'll go for a touchless wash without any worry. I just make sure to ALWAYS wax by hand immediately afterward.

 

chemical guys snow foam wash...

you can buy the whole kit for $100... need a modest pressure washer... or you can get foam kit that uses a garden hose...I have both because sometimes it's a hassle to get the PW out... if im doing a couple of my vehicles at once over a weekend, then I use the cannon with a PW. otherwise I use the garden hose kit...I foam one side, let it sit a bit while I wash wheels then switch sides...

 

I have an air compressor based foam gun that works just OK, and only hand wash cars. I rather leave the car filthy than wash the car in a harmful way. All premium brands soaps work fine; just keep the concentration per the directions on the soap. Grit guard is a must along with dedicated wheel brushes and mitts.

 

like others said... still use 2 bucket method with grit guards in each

 

I use several different waterless techniques to keep my small fleet clean, for light cleaning I use Meguiars Professional Detailer .

For heavier cleaning I use Ammo NYC Frothe, it's great stuff and I know it works because I saw him use it on a rare Bizzarrini that hadn't been washed in 30 years. It works well and is mild.
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-frothe-hoseless-lift/

Best microfiber towel I've ever used and I've purchased 100's.
https://www.detailedimage.com/DI-Mic...30/16-x-24-S1/

I've never used a hose on my garage queens. Only the two methods above. Cheers

 

I gave up on the 2 bucket method, but have separate mitts for wheels and body. I did not think the difference between 2 bucket method was worth the extra time. I did not notice more swirls after a quarter year of doing that exclusively vs. what I was doing previously. The extra time was at least 15 minutes extra per car. Add that up over year for me and that's 15 hours extra needed to use the 2 bucket method.

 

This website will answers any and all questions, lol...Matt is truly is obsessed with car washing/detailing..

http://www.obsessedgarage.com

 

This is absolute poppycock.....My results with touches washes have been just fine. After the blow dry I follow up with hand dry...