MiniGuide.Org

MiniGuide.Org

Washing the Car

I start by focusing on the engine bay. I unlatch and raise the bonnet (hood) and direct a spray of pressurized water at the front of the oil cooler and radiator to remove bugs. Sometimes a detail brush will be necessary to remove caked on insects. Next, using a boar's hair brush, and a horse-hair detail brush (or sponge), I wash the black trim in the engine bay (the plastic wheel fenders, the grey painted section near the strut towers, and the seam behind the engine. If you do this every other wash, your engine will always look new. I've used Griot's engine cleaner (or other degreaser) to spray and sponge off the valve cover gasket, brake fluid reservoir, radiator fluid reservoir, and other parts of the engine, taking care not to soak the distributor/coil area. I rinse this area with a light soaker setting, making sure not to spray lots of water around the engine. I'll save the drying till later.

Next, focus on the trim pieces. Start with the grill, then work your way around the car getting the black plastic sills, the rear grill, and the tire wells. Be careful of the front plastic grill in front of the oil cooler on the lower air dam; it is loosely held in place and will pop out easily with the slightest pressure. Clean the exterior of the lower black plastic grill (with a boar’s hair brush if you have it) and plenty of water pressure to remove insects and road debris. I also open the rear hatch and doors and wash the corners, seams, and bottoms where possible, taking care to avoid getting grease on the mitt from the door latches. I also wash the rubber seals, and use an acrifilo brush (reaching around the tire) to get the wheel wells.

Next, rinse the car in preparation for the body wash. Focus a pressurized spray on the wheel wells, the underside of the side body sills, and the underbody to remove road grime and wash residue.

Starting at the top of the roof, I dip the wash mitt in the wash mix and lightly wash the car, working my way top to bottom. I focus on one side of the car at a time, rinsing off the area afterwards. After each body panel, I place the washing mitt or brush in the rinse side of the bucket to rinse, then back into the wash mix to add new suds. This 2 step process removes the dirt and debris from the bristle or mitt.

I use the boar's hair brush specifically on the windows and trim, paying attention to rubber seals, and to the hatch seams where dirt collects. I save the mitt for just the outside painted areas.

If you come across tar or insects stuck to the car, do not scrub too strongly. This can scratch the paint and smear the tar. Use a dedicated cleaner if you must (again, a biodegradable cleaner like those from Griot’s Garage works best; unnecessary if you use good wash mix). If you still have residue, leave it for the clay detail bar to remove.

Always keep the car well rinsed and moist. You can never rinse enough. Rinse the car once more in preparation for the final dry.