Little tips and tricks

[Ben J]

The other day I was reading through some guide on washing cars that was even more worried about avoiding swirls then the car care products one. One little thing I picked up was that before you dry the car, if you take your hose off the pressure cleaner or take whatever nozzle you have off the hose and just run a stream of water over the car through the hose, it will sheet up and basically all run straight off, instead of beading up like when you spray it with a nozzle. I tried it today and whereas drying normally takes me far longer then the actual washing, most of the water ran straight off and it took me much less time to dry the car. Made me a little excited, haha.

So I thought, a thread where people can share there little tricks in one place would be cool, so what have you guys got hidden up your sleeves?

[carcareproducts]

If your car is well protected by either a wax or synthetic sealant you will find majority of your water will come off.

If you have yourself a air compressor in sight you can also air dry the majority of the car avoiding any touch. But by far the biggest thing is;
do not use a sponge, do not use a chamois as you will definitely scratch the paint work.

Use a microfibre waffle weave drying towel as if any dirt has been missed and you wipe over it will sit into the center of the waffle itself and not the surface unlike directly on the surface of a chamois.

2 bucket wash method, snow foam wash or a high pressure wash is always the best and is how i always personally wash my own car weekly.. sometimes twice a week (im not normal).

So my advise for tips and tricks.

1. High Pressure Water to Wash the car is a must
2. Snow Foam connection for a high pressure water system (will fit 95% of machines) also a lot of fun
3. Air Dryer of some sorts


I could go on, ill leave it at 3 for now

[Ben J]

good stuff surely some other people want to share there little secrets haha.

If its not too hot ect. I hear not drying the car before you clay can save some time and make things easier

[carcareproducts]

Definitely .. wash the car, leave it wet and off you go .. much easier to work with the lube.

Just remember, dont overspray the whole area your working on as the lube does evaporate .. so only where you are actually intending on claying. The word lube is coming in here a lot.....

[Defaultuser0520]

Having never owned a car I really cared about before, never used a chamois.

Know its a simple question, but is there a difference in chamois for the post wash wiping?

[Dyldo]

mate, definitely do not use a chamois. They are dangerous, capture all the grit and just smoosh it all over your paint, and actually drag along the paint.

Use a WWDT - a Waffle Weave Drying Towel, preferably a really well-made one with silk edging.

[Defaultuser0520]

Oh ok, cheers, will see if I can source one

[Corey_R]

Yep, like the Mint Microfibre Drying Towel Waffle Weave Extra Large

Having said that, the "silk edging" is just to cover up the old fashioned edges which would scratch paint too. The silk isn't the best to be dragging along the surface either as it can obviously catch dirt. So newer towels have "soft sewn edges" such as the AquaTouch Microfibre Drying Towel Waffle Weave X Large

Don't ask me which is best though, cause I've only used the first one

[Defaultuser0520]

Like I said, never owned a car that I really cared too much for the paintwork (always 4WD or sh#tboxes), just had a look at the website there, have a lot to purchase :-p

[carcareproducts]

Too many things!

If you're unsure what you need/want/dont want but want anyhow just call or hit me up with PM anytime and we can go through it all with you!