Most of the fine scratches and swirl marks you see on a car's paint are caused by washing it the wrong way: dragging dirt across the surface with a gritty sponge or towel. The good news is that a safe wash isn't complicated. Follow these steps and your paint will stay glossy for years.
What you'll need
- Two buckets, one for soapy water and one for rinsing your mitt. Label them so you don't mix them up. Try our 5 Gallon Translucent Bucket.
- A pH-neutral car shampoo that cleans without stripping wax or coatings, like ADS Shampoo+, CarPro Reset or Detail Co. Soft Wash.
- A plush wash mitt. Microfiber noodle mitts hold lots of suds and trap dirt away from the paint. The Autofiber Zero Cuff Noodle Mitt is a favorite.
- A foam cannon and pre-wash foam (optional but recommended): MTM PF22.2 Foam Cannon with Koch Chemie Gentle Snow Foam or CarPro Lift.
- A large drying towel, such as the TRC Gauntlet Drying Towel or Autofiber Dreadnought MAX.
- A drying aid (optional) for extra slickness and gloss: 3D Speed or Detail Co. Lightning Quick Detailer.
Step 1: Work in the shade on a cool car
Wash out of direct sun when the paint is cool to the touch. Soap and water dry quickly on hot panels and leave spots that can be hard to remove.
Step 2: Clean the wheels first
Wheels are the dirtiest part of the car, so do them before the paint. That way brake dust and grime don't splash onto panels you've already washed. Use separate brushes and a separate bucket for wheels. See our guide: How to Clean Wheels and Tires.
Step 3: Rinse and pre-wash
Rinse the whole car from top to bottom to knock off loose dirt. Then cover the car in foam with a foam cannon and let it dwell for 3 to 5 minutes (don't let it dry). The foam loosens and lifts grit so less of it is left to rub against the paint. Rinse it off thoroughly.
Step 4: Set up your two buckets
Fill one bucket with water and the recommended amount of shampoo. Fill the second bucket with plain water. This rinse bucket is where you'll clean your mitt between panels.
Step 5: Wash top to bottom, one panel at a time
- Load your mitt in the soap bucket.
- Wash one panel with light pressure using straight, overlapping lines rather than circles.
- Dunk and swish the mitt in the rinse bucket to release the dirt.
- Go back to the soap bucket and move on to the next panel.
Start with the roof and glass, then the hood and trunk, the upper sides, and finish with the lower panels and bumpers, which are the dirtiest. If you drop your mitt on the ground, stop and rinse it thoroughly or swap to a clean one.
Step 6: Final rinse
Rinse the car thoroughly from top to bottom. Letting water sheet off the panels with an open hose (no nozzle) leaves less water behind to dry.
Step 7: Dry gently
Lightly mist a drying aid onto a damp panel, lay your drying towel flat and gently pull it across the surface. Don't scrub. Flip the towel as it gets wet. Dry door jambs, mirrors and trim last, and blow out water from gaps with an air blower if you have one.
Quick tips
- Never use dish soap. It strips wax and sealants and can dry out trim.
- Wash your microfiber towels separately with a microfiber detergent and no fabric softener.
- Wash every 1 to 2 weeks. The longer dirt sits, the harder it is to remove safely.
Have questions about which products fit your car? Call us at (626) 656-6226 or stop by the store at 9121 Garvey Ave, Rosemead. We're happy to help.