How do you wash yours?

[trev0rk]

Will do.

As we had a couple of dry days last week I washed, Wash & Dry'd, then finished with Carplan No1 Super Gloss, so it should need the full clean and protect for 6 months...

 

[Cali Phillip]

I have it on good authority from 'he who likes chatting to the neighbours' that he uses a similar method. He uses a wax and wash and always washes the van and car on a rainy day so although the vehicles have a final hose rinse, they also have a soft water rain wash. No drying off required and no streaks. Bit difficult in the summer we've just had!

Living in place with historically very high rainfall, and I like to enjoy the dry days. I lean toward a solution that works in mixed weather.
Autogym Polar blast applied with pressure washer and underneath in winter, brush wheels, rinse, Polar wash and bush van, rinse and every few washed use the polar seal everywhere except on the windscreen. Once a year wax the van. The wheels get less attention after the wheel worm took hold, a loosing battle and wheel will get power coated post winter !

 

[WelshGas]

Great to see how many people lovingly take care of their Calis - any tips for getting green off the rubber around the window and roof. This winter has been so wet that despite washing regularly, Beryl's gone a bit green

Autoglym make a product for that purpose for Caravans & Motorhomes that are more prone. Works well.

 

[Norseman]

I have a method I got from a detailers group some years ago. It’s by far the best I’ve come across:

1. Prewash. Use a product called Surfex HD. It’s a really good and affordable all purpose waterbased cleaner. Put it in a big quality made pressure sprayer. You hardly use anything in a batch. It delute like crazy. Spray the whole van and wheels, and wait for five-ten minutes, depending on the weather, don’t let it dry. Pressure wash off, from top to bottom. (This is the most important step as to avoid damaging the paintjob when you start the handwash)

2. Use a foam cannon, and foam the whole car before doing the handwash. + spray the weel rims with a wheelcleaner of some sort.

3. Handwash. Use a HIGH quality sponge. The ones whith big wholes in them. They are a little bit costly, but last for years. Use a big bucket with gravel grit collector in the bottom. Lukewarm water. Apply a good soap that glides well. I Like the Poorboy’s stuff myself. (If you feel the need to use multiple buckets, I claim that you failed the prewash. Also the sponge shall never get filthy) Be gentle but quick, and don’t let the soap dry. Scrub the rims with a brush if needed.

4. Pressure wash from top to bottom

5. Dry with big microfibre cloth.

Wax once or twice a year, depending on use I guess. If one, do it in autumn, so you can have the pleasure of just do the prewash-step during the winter. Try the Suffocoat Wax, It was a spesiffic tip from the detailer-group. Really good!

Before waxing, add this stepp

6. Use a petrol degreaser for prewash step 1

7. Use Iron-x , or some other breakdust removal cleaner after step four. Leaves this purple residue where iron is stuck in the paint.

8. Pressure wash from top to bottom

8. This is claying, but this is for nerds who are willing to risk it for perfection. Don’t do it…

9. Wax, one panel at time


So a regular wash is like 30-40mins or so I think. It’s definatly not several hours. But the wash before a wax I do take my time to get it really really clean, and yeah, that’s when the clock is ticking. But don’t need to do that at every wash.

 

[slushf]

Always rinse / pressure wash the snow foam off the van, otherwise you are just rubbing the dirt back into the van. Never use any kind of brush on the bodywork. Otherwise great.

 

[Alexlex85]

Its 2026. Please put your yellow sponges and chamois in the bin.

 

[trev0rk]

Let us know if it's any good will you please trev0rk, I'd be interested to know what you think of it.

Washed the car today, hosed over, washed twice with Bilt Hamber Auto Wash using microfibre sponge, hosed again then dried with chamois leather and Ceramic Wet Wax. Very shiny and very happy with the results.

 

[Dyddi]

Back to basics here: kit comprises of soft nylon floor broom which is used for this job only, hand squeegee for glass, bucket and watering can. Only rainwater from butt used, no additives. Looks as good as new apart from the scrapes, dents and bent bits gathered since 2012. Usually washed after, occasionally during, gentle rain. Takes about 20 minutes. Costs nothing after gathering the kit.

 

[willwander]

Ashamed to admit I’m a complete detailing nerd.
Won’t bore you with the details but recently moved away from old school waxes to new school ceramic stuff. GTechniq do some really good ceramic coatings and sealants but also found the cheapo ceramic sprays from Autogylm and latest hybrid ceramic stuff from Turtle Wax is actually really good.

 

[pchmlk]

Old school here. Jetwash, soapy water and a chamois dry.

 

[Perfectos]

Old school here. Jetwash, soapy water and a chamois dry.

Old Skool was washing up liquid in a general use bucket, piping hot water and a nice big sponge to scrub away with.
T cut for that extra shine