TESTED & PROVEN Solution on How To Properly Wash Your Car
Step by Step
How To Properly Wash A Car
TESTED. PROVEN. PACKED.
"After years of testing thousands of products and techniques, I'm delighted to share my findings with you."
- Jason Otterness
Save 15% when you build a bundle with code: CARWASHBUNDLE
* 15% discount does not include pressure washers, spot free rinse or blowers.
STEP 1 The Rinse
Car Rinse Checklist: Preparing for a Scratch-Free Wash
✅ Find a Cool, Shaded Area - Park your car in a location away from direct sunlight to prevent premature drying of water or cleaning agents.
✅ Ready to Rinse - Use a Garden hose with spray nozzle or pressure washer for a fast better quality clean. Optional: Water purification or deionizing system if you have hard water.
✅ Rinse from Top to Bottom - Start at the roof and work your way down to the lower panels and wheels. Focus on areas with heavy dirt buildup, like wheel wells, behind wheels, and lower body panels.
✅ Remove Loose Dirt and Debris - Ensure all visible dirt, dust, and debris are rinsed off to avoid scratches during washing.
✅ Manage Hard Water Spots - If using hard water, work in smaller sections to avoid water drying on the surface. Use a water purification system to prevent water spots for a spotless rinse.
STEP 2 THE WHEELS
Wheel Cleaning Checklist: A Clean Start for Your Car Wash
✅ Start with the Wheels - Begin with the wheels, as they are typically the dirtiest part of the car. This prevents wheel grime from splashing onto a freshly cleaned body later.
✅ Apply Cleaning Chemicals - Spray your wheel cleaner evenly over the wheel, tire, and wheel well. Work on one wheel at a time to ensure the cleaner does not dry. Use an Iron decon if you have built up stuborn break dust.
✅ Scrub and Agitate - Use wheel brushes or detailing tools to clean all surfaces, including: Wheel face, Lug nut areas, Inner barrel of the wheel, Tires and wheel wells.
✅ Rinse Thoroughly - Rinse off all cleaning chemicals and loosened grime completely. Check for remaining spots that may need additional scrubbing.
✅ Repeat for Each Wheel - Move to the next wheel and repeat the process, ensuring the chemicals don't dry before rinsing.
Wheel Cleaning Tools
Wheel Cleaning Chemicals
STEP 3 THE WASH
Safe Car Washing Checklist: The Two-Bucket Method
✅ Set Up Your Buckets - Use two buckets: One filled with clean water (rinse bucket). One filled with a soap and water solution (wash bucket). Add grit guards to both buckets to minimize dirt transfer.
✅ Pre-Foam and Rinse (If Needed) - If your car is heavily soiled, use a foam cannon or sprayer to coat the vehicle with foam. Let the foam sit for a few minutes to loosen dirt, then rinse thoroughly with a garden hose or pressure washer.
✅ Start Washing from the Top Down - Begin at the roof and work your way down to avoid dragging dirt onto clean surfaces. Use a soft wash mitt or sponge to clean one panel at a time.
✅ Rinse the Mitt After Each Panel - Dip the mitt into the rinse bucket and agitate it against the grit guard to remove trapped dirt. Wring out the mitt completely before continuing.
✅ Reload the Mitt with Soap - Submerge the clean mitt into the wash bucket to reload it with fresh suds. Repeat the process of washing, rinsing, and re-soaping for each section of the car.
✅ Final Rinse - Once all panels are clean, rinse the entire car from top to bottom to remove all soap residue.
Wash Tools
Washing Chemicals
STEP 4 THE DRYING
Car Drying Checklist: Protect Your Paint During the Final Stage
✅ Understand the Risk - Most paint damage occurs during the drying process due to improper techniques or towels. Avoid harsh materials like old rags or bath towels that can scratch sensitive paint.
✅ Add a Waterless Wash or Quick Detailer - Lightly spray a waterless wash or quick detailer directly onto the drying towel. This helps reduce friction, minimize scratches, and pick up any missed spots from the wash.
✅ Dry Panel by Panel - Start at the top of the car and work your way down.Use gentle, overlapping motions to absorb water without pressing too hard.
✅ Focus on Crevices and Hard-to-Reach Areas - Pay extra attention to door jambs, mirrors, and other areas where water tends to collect. Use a blower or air compressor to force water out.
✅ Inspect for Missed Spots - As you dry, check for any leftover dirt or water spots. Address these areas with your waterless wash or quick detailer for a spotless finish.
STEP 5 THE AFTER WASH
That concludes the basic wash process—if you're satisfied, you can stop here. However, if you're aiming for extra credit and want to impress the neighbors, consider adding some of these additional products to your cart