Safe Wash Tips

The elusive safe wash. So, first things first, there is no such thing as a car wash that is 100% safe for your paintwork. Our aim is to limit exposure to any poor wash induced problems.

Wash steps

There are three main parts to a wash: non-contact wash, mechanical contact wash and a rinse and dry.

A. Non-contact wash phase

  1. Prewash: You can use a snow foam (the fun way), an All-Purpose Cleaner or a dedicated Prewash Cleaner. Some need to be left to dwell while others are to be removed quickly. In my opinion, there’s very little difference between these. Find a method you like.
  2. Rinse: Once your prewash has had enough time to dwell/or not, it’s time to use the pressure washer to remove the chemical along with any loose dirt. Be thorough with this rinse.
  3. If you are going to use a fallout remover, I like to use it at this stage. Directions are the same. Apply, dwell and rinse.

B. Mechanical wash

  1. This is where we make contact, wash mitt to the panel, you can use the two-bucket method shown in the video. You can also use one bucket and regularly pressure wash any dirt off the mitt (try putting the mitt under the wiper blade and using the pressure washer to rinse it off).
  2. Work from top to bottom. Roof and windows, bonnet boot and upper panels, lower panels.

C. Rinse and Dry

  1. Rinse thoroughly! If you have used a fallout remover a good rinse could last 15 minutes or so
  2. Dry with a car drying towel. I prefer to use 2 towels: one to get the majority of the water off and another to catch the remainder. And if your budget allows, an air blower can be used.
Some like to start with the wheels, some like to finish with them. Typically, I start with the wheels. The same rules apply, non-contact wash/ contact wash/ rinse and dry. Spray with wheel cleaner. Rinse. Wash with shampoo and mitt. Rinse. If it needs more use a fallout remover, dwell, agitate, rinse.
I hope you take some of this on, it is well worth it if you care about your car’s paintwork. I’ll leave you with a video that a very nice Scottish man has made, where he employs a good wash technique. Pay attention to what order things are done. https://youtu.be/wGuiIkyChOo
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