How long do you guys spend on a basic wash?

[Bigpoppa3346]

For me, at least an hour and 15 minutes. On some soft black paint, I will rinse a mitt 3-4 times per panel, which equates to about an hour and 45 minutes(including wheels and tires). It usually takes me 20-30 minutes for wheels and tires(tire cleaning, wheel cleaning in and out, and well cleaning), about 30-40 minutes for the actual washing, and 20 minutes for drying. I can't see how you can wash a car in 30 minutes and not induce marring.

[CleanGSR]

It takes me about 45 minutes doing a conventional wash, and right at an hour using ONR. Both times include: wash, dry, wheels, tires, tire wet, QD, and glass. I have a fairly small car though.

[Surfer]

About an hour for my suv, not sure how you guys are taking so long on little cars lol.

[CleanGSR]

You think mine sounds long for all I do? I personally feel it's very quick....even a little quicker sometimes when I use the leafblower. People spending 2 hours or more......that I can't understand. I would have to move at a snails pace to take that long and I'm extra percautious as it is.

[the0ne]

basic wash for my civic 20-25mins

wash/dry/tire dressing

[johny]

It takes me about an hour to do each of everything.

An hour to wash and dry.
An hour to clay.
An hour to polish.
An hour to wax.
An hour to detail trim, tires, etc.

I am overly predictable.

[thesacrifice]

Originally Posted by johny

It takes me about an hour to do each of everything.

An hour to wash and dry.
An hour to clay.
An hour to polish.
An hour to wax.
An hour to detail trim, tires, etc.

I am overly predictable.

and off topic *basic wash*

I just did an ONR wash and dry with no dressing in exactly 25 minutes...I'm getting fast (and brave)!

[Surfer]

Originally Posted by CleanGSR

You think mine sounds long for all I do? I personally feel it's very quick....even a little quicker sometimes when I use the leafblower. People spending 2 hours or more......that I can't understand. I would have to move at a snails pace to take that long and I'm extra percautious as it is.

Oh no, I meant the ones spending a couple hours on small cars lol. 45 minutes is damn quick for a wash and all that extra steps you listed lol. I wash, bring our the blower and usually leave very tiny water beads on panels so 99% dry, then qd and that's it.

[CleanGSR]

Yeah, I do the same with the blower. I can blow my car 99% dry in about 4 minutes and then QD in another 10. Of course you can't really use the blower with ONR which is probably what adds the extra 15 minutes by going that route.

[TrueDetailer]

I'd like one of the people who spend 2+ hours to tell me what all they do. I don't understand what the deal is, I mean what are ya, spending 20 minutes just to wash the hood? Are you making one pass with the mitt and then running to the washing machine to wash it out? I just don't understand how someone can make something that should take no more than 30 minutes and turn it into 2 hours. Its just a wash not a freakin deteail?

[3Dog]

Washing is a big part of detailing. Just as your perfect finish is 90% prep it can also be said that 90% of the marring on paint is from the wash/dry portion. So that is a very big deal in detailing.

[toyotaguy]

add it up....you are spending 4 hours to wash a car

4 hours once a week = 4 hours per week x 4 weeks a month = 16 hours washing!

16 hours per month x 12 months = 192 hours a year

NOW ADD THIS UP

1 hours once a week = 1 hours per week x 4 weeks a month = 4 hours washing!

4 hours per month x 12 months = 48 hours a year

now add in 2 hours to polish with a light polish every 3 months, creating more depth and shine along the way


2 polish hours x 4 times a year (12/3) = 8hours

192 hours washing (no swirls as you say) + 0 polishing (no need) = 192 hours
48 hours washing + 8polishing hours = 56 hours a year spent on your car

how would you rather spend your time??? washing your car, or going out and enjoying your life???