[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by Good 4 2 reasons

You don't have to buy his products, or his recommendation, but I like Pan the organizer on youtube. His techniques are well demonstrated and he has a video covering any kind of car cleaning you could want to perform. He's selling his own products now, but in the past he has worked with any number of great products.

With car care products, just set a budget for what you want to spend. You can go cheap with Chemical Guys and typical walmart brands, you can go midgrade with griots and adams, then you have the more expensive brands like Gyeon, Koch Chemie, etc.

I'm sure to each their own on what brand they like to use, if you're handwashing your car, you are already doing better than most drivers out there, present company excluded.

I will say a huge benefit to avoiding swirls in your paint would be to use a blower to dry instead of toweling.

So, since you mentioned him, I ended up watching one of Pan's vids. Very informative and hot damn there are a lot of products mentioned lol.

I was confused on one thing. He uses a foam cannon to lather the car but he also uses the two bucket method and car shampoo? Isn't that what the foam cannon is for? Or does the foam cannon assist with removing dirt from the car, rinse the car off, and then you use the two bucket method (along with wash mitt) to actually clean the car?

I know I sound like a moron but never done this before and trying to understand, thanks in advance.

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

So, since you mentioned him, I ended up watching one of Pan's vids. Very informative and hot damn there are a lot of products mentioned lol.

I was confused on one thing. He uses a foam cannon to lather the car but he also uses the two bucket method and car shampoo? Isn't that what the foam cannon is for? Or does the foam cannon assist with removing dirt from the car, rinse the car off, and then you use the two bucket method (along with wash mitt) to actually clean the car?

I know I sound like a moron but never done this before and trying to understand, thanks in advance.

On second thought, maybe you're better of living in ignorance

You'll want a foam cannon and two buckets. one with soapy water, one with rinse water. You'll want a soapy bucket to drench your wash mitt in before you start washing sections that you've applied the foam to. The foam is there to begin lift the contaminants from the paint surface. After washing a section you rinse in the mitt in the rinse bucket, but now it has water, so wring it out, redunk in the soap bucket, and clean your next section.

Never let soap dry on your car, so work in sections.

Cheers!

[luckylingy]

Another resource for detailing tips and products is Obsessed Garage. (Prices match those from Detailed Image for like-for-like.) I use CarPro, too, for most tasks. I've been very satisfied with the Kranzle K1322TS pressure washer after ~3 years.

[fzr100098]

Single bucket with dirt strainer in bottom and car wash soap/microfiber mitt only works fine unless you're ultra picky

Always do the wheels last of course - and wheels on this car are a real pain, if someone knows a good soft brush to use on them I'm all ears

[kenkamm]

Originally Posted by fzr100098

...if someone knows a good soft brush to use on them I'm all ears

I like these because they are flat and allow you to get into the thinner sections of the OEM M2 wheels:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C49TKM7C...&pd_rd_plhdr=t

And this one helps get the caliper clean:
https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Master-...1zcF9tdGY&th=1

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by fzr100098

Single bucket with dirt strainer in bottom and car wash soap/microfiber mitt only works fine unless you're ultra picky

Always do the wheels last of course - and wheels on this car are a real pain, if someone knows a good soft brush to use on them I'm all ears

This^^ its a car. Drive it clean. Repeat and enjoy it. Not an E-type appreciating by the minute at all. Your process is sound.

[///MoT]

Originally Posted by kenkamm

I like these because they are flat and allow you to get into the thinner sections of the OEM M2 wheels:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C49TKM7C...&pd_rd_plhdr=t

And this one helps get the caliper clean:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C49TKM7C...&pd_rd_plhdr=t

Hey kenkamm, thanks for the links but they're the same link . Could you provide the correct link for the brush that works well on the calipers?


-Tom

[Digitalprty]

Half of my car is ppf’ed and the entire car is ceramic-coated, including the wheels and calipers. I only hand-wash.

When I want to make an afternoon of it, I pull out my foam cannon, pressure washer, three buckets, EGO blower, etc. The third bucket is dedicated to wheels and done first. I use PH-balanced soap (CarPro) for everything, including the wheels. If I have the time, I prefer this method.

If I don’t want to (or can’t) spend the time, I do a rinseless wash. IK pump sprayer, ONR, and one bucket. Wheels are done last with this method. Takes half the time.

In the winter, my car hibernates, so no driving or washing.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by Digitalprty

Half of my car is ppf’ed and the entire car is ceramic-coated, including the wheels and calipers. I only hand-wash.

When I want to make an afternoon of it, I pull out my foam cannon, pressure washer, three buckets, EGO blower, etc. The third bucket is dedicated to wheels and done first. I use PH-balanced soap (CarPro) for everything, including the wheels. If I have the time, I prefer this method.

If I don’t want to (or can’t) spend the time, I do a rinseless wash. IK pump sprayer, ONR, and one bucket. Wheels are done last with this method. Takes half the time.

In the winter, my car hibernates, so no driving or washing.

Thanks for the response and I apologize ahead of time for this question but can you please explain your cleaning process a little more for when you do not have too much time to wash your car? Are you using a product like Optimum No Rinse Wash and use it with a pump sprayer. Do you like it?

I think that is similar to the product that a company I hired to clean my car used. They were called No H2O. They sprayed something on my car and wiped with a microfiber towel. Car looked great when they were done. Charged me $100 but if Optimum is similar to what they were using, I can use it too and save myself the money.

[domyalex]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Hi Guys,

I wanted to ask those who have ceramic coated their cars, do you strictly hand wash your cars or do you also go to toughness car washes?

I ask because I spoke to a PPF installer and he stated that if I went to a touchless car wash he would not warranty the ceramic coating. He stated that their pH levels can be high and the chemicals used are abrasive that could damage the ceramic coating.

I was not aware of this so wanted to check with this community.

Thanks,

Kal

I was told exactly the same; they use extremely strong chemicals in order for the touchless system to its job.

My detailer specifically recommended a shampoo specific for ceramic-coated cars (CarPro Reset)

[m-enjoyer]

just did ceramic and front half ppf last week, my installer (very established company 30+ years in the business) said to touchless is fine but to pick the cheapest wash option because the deluxe packages have harsher chemicals

[IanH]

There's a very wide range in quality of touch less wash machines/setups also.

There's about 4 near me that I would never use, but there is 1 specifically that does a nice job and I use it when I just need to get the salt off. My detailer agrees that this particular touch less is good to use.

[kenkamm]

Originally Posted by ///MoT

Hey kenkamm, thanks for the links but they're the same link . Could you provide the correct link for the brush that works well on the calipers?


-Tom

Sorry about that! I tried to tag you but I can't seem to get your name to come up, maybe because of the slashes... but anyway, hopefully you see this post. This is the brush I was trying to link:

https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Master-...1zcF9tdGY&th=1

[///MoT]

Originally Posted by kenkamm

Sorry about that! I tried to tag you but I can't seem to get your name to come up, maybe because of the slashes... but anyway, hopefully you see this post. This is the brush I was trying to link:

https://www.amazon.com/Speed-Master-...1zcF9tdGY&th=1

No worries, thank you sir! Much appreciated!

[Digitalprty]

Originally Posted by Ronin76

Thanks for the response and I apologize ahead of time for this question but can you please explain your cleaning process a little more for when you do not have too much time to wash your car? Are you using a product like Optimum No Rinse Wash and use it with a pump sprayer. Do you like it?

I think that is similar to the product that a company I hired to clean my car used. They were called No H2O. They sprayed something on my car and wiped with a microfiber towel. Car looked great when they were done. Charged me $100 but if Optimum is similar to what they were using, I can use it too and save myself the money.

I just looked up No H20, and it looks like they use a “waterless” wash, whereas I use ONR (Optimum No Rinse) for a “rinseless” wash. The rinseless still requires water, but there’s no “rinse” after the washing part. I’ve never used a waterless wash, so I can’t speak to how that works from experience.

For a rinseless wash, I fill a bucket with water and a few capfulls of ONR solution (256:1 dilution). Then I fill the IK Multi Pro 2 sprayer about 3/4 full with that water. After putting a grit guard in the bucket, I throw in the Optimum Big Red Sponge, two microfiber towels, and a long microfiber brush. (The sponge is used for the majority of the car, the microfibers for the wheels, and the long brush for the barrels of the wheels.)

First, I blow off any loose debris from the car with a handheld leaf blower. Then, I pump the sprayer and soak the whole car with the ONR mix. (I save a little bit in the sprayer for the wheels at the end.) Let sit for a few minutes to have the ONR work its magic.

Then, I use smooth, gliding motions with the sponge a section at a time, working top to bottom for everything but the wheels. After each section, run the sponge against the grit guard and do the next section. (Note: you want the sponge to barely be dripping when using it on the car - not too soaking, not too dry). To dry, I use a liquid8r towel.

Then respray the wheels/tires and do each one one at a time. I do the barrel first with the brush, then wipe the wheel spokes and tire’s sidewall with one of the microfiber towels. I use one side of a towel per wheel/tire.

To dry the wheels/tires, I use two small gauntlet towels, one side of a towel per wheel. After wheels are dry, I use the same towels to dry the tires. (Tires get the towels the dirtiest, regardless of how well you clean them, so that’s always the last step).

That’s about it. It gets the car sufficiently clean. The pressure washer/foam method is more fun though, and I think it gets it a tiny bit cleaner.

All my microfiber towels are from the Rag Company. They have every type you can imagine and are high-quality.

*Note: Avoid washing a car in direct sunlight. It can cause soap to dry.

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Originally Posted by m-enjoyer

just did ceramic and front half ppf last week, my installer (very established company 30+ years in the business) said to touchless is fine but to pick the cheapest wash option because the deluxe packages have harsher chemicals

It's not only the harsher chemicals, but the application of any kind of wax. Ceramic coatings should not have any kind of wax applied to it.

Many of the more expensive drive in offer "HOT WAX" with triple berry foam blaster. None of these ingredients are good to apply on something that has ceramic coating.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by Digitalprty

I just looked up No H20, and it looks like they use a “waterless” wash, whereas I use ONR (Optimum No Rinse) for a “rinseless” wash. The rinseless still requires water, but there’s no “rinse” after the washing part. I’ve never used a waterless wash, so I can’t speak to how that works from experience.

For a rinseless wash, I fill a bucket with water and a few capfulls of ONR solution (256:1 dilution). Then I fill the IK Multi Pro 2 sprayer about 3/4 full with that water. After putting a grit guard in the bucket, I throw in the Optimum Big Red Sponge, two microfiber towels, and a long microfiber brush. (The sponge is used for the majority of the car, the microfibers for the wheels, and the long brush for the barrels of the wheels.)

First, I blow off any loose debris from the car with a handheld leaf blower. Then, I pump the sprayer and soak the whole car with the ONR mix. (I save a little bit in the sprayer for the wheels at the end.) Let sit for a few minutes to have the ONR work its magic.

Then, I use smooth, gliding motions with the sponge a section at a time, working top to bottom for everything but the wheels. After each section, run the sponge against the grit guard and do the next section. (Note: you want the sponge to barely be dripping when using it on the car - not too soaking, not too dry).

Then respray the wheels/tires and do each one one at a time. I do the barrel first with the brush, then wipe the wheel spokes and tire’s sidewall with one of the microfiber towels. I use one side of a towel per wheel/tire.

To dry, I use a liquid8r towel on the [...]

Thank you so much for this!!!

[Carefree]

Many great recommendations here.

Use a good soap and contact materials.

Not sure it’s been mentioned but a chamobis for drying will eliminate water spots. I prefer microfiber for glass/wheels and chamois for paint.

Don’t overthink this, it’s a car and won’t melt.

[Ronin76]

Originally Posted by Carefree

Many great recommendations here.

Use a good soap and contact materials.

Not sure it’s been mentioned but a chamobis for drying will eliminate water spots. I prefer microfiber for glass/wheels and chamois for paint.

Don’t overthink this, it’s a car and won’t melt.

Yeah, I hear ya and I agree. I just, when I get an interest in something, I unfortunately go all in and just research and try to absorb as much as I can. I think I do have a handle on things. I have a list of items I would buy so I think I am set.

Thanks all for your input, I learned a lot from you guys!!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Originally Posted by Whytar

Hand wash only for me. I don't even cloth dry my cars. Blow dry only.

Exactly & same here. The results are much better.