How Mike washes a car

[mjlinane]

Why on earth would anyone care how a neurotic, obsessive-compulsive, fat guy washes a car? Yeah, pretty much how I feel, too. But I made the @#$% video anyway. Enjoy.



Questions (and otherwise) welcome.

[The Driver]

Excellent foam, what soap? CG?

[mjlinane]

First foam is 2 oz CG CW + 1 oz OPC + water in reservoir. Second is 2 oz Carpro IronX Snow Soap.

[Ronkh]

You more nutso than me.

That`s tough to do.

[grungy]

Yeah, could smell the Iron X in the second round - I was off-frame the entire time watching the master foamer. Was hoping for the CG shaving cream but that was not the case.

[tropicsteve]

I like it! this old fat guy still likes his long handled boar`s hair brush for his pick up. what`s the psi of your pressure washer mike? that was a seriously nice foam blanket you laid down.

[JustJesus]

Sir, you are not fat.

And I gotta admit, I`m a bit jealous. Those are some comfortable looking pants!!

Joking aside, that`s a nice process. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and sharing. I know how much work can go into making one.

[skibik]

Why on earth would anyone care how a neurotic, obsessive-compulsive, fat guy washes a car?

Hey, I resemble that remark or resent or I mean both!

Just kidding. You ain`t got nothin` on me. I wish I had that set up but then I wouldn`t have the ambition to use it if I did.

[DetailZeus]

Awesome thanks for making a video, lots little things to pick up on. I`m assuming those towels were just soaking in wash solution? How many wash towels to finish the car?

[Jaddie]

Thanks for the education, Mike!

[KBsToy]

As senior Autopian I luv this video OCD at its best.... on the pants at least yours are not coming apart, my wife says I embarrass her with mine

THANK YOU !!!!

[mjlinane]

Thanks all.

The title really should have been "One way Mike washes a car". This was recorded on Sat and was done this way (obviously). On Sun, did 3 other cars - a 2011 `Vette Grand Sport, a 2010 Lexus IS250 and my DD, a 2011 Hyundai Sonata - and not 1 was done exactly this way. The other giveaway is that I also have videos on Rinseless Washing and Waterless Washing.

The `Vette was rather clean (a garage queen) and was in to be spruced up (no correction). So it got the first rinse and stripping foam but went straight into the modified GDPWM followed by "claying". (It then got PBW Black Hole, Prima Banana Gloss (thanks Ray) and OPT Car Wax.) The Lexus was absolutely filthy but it was noon and sunny and hot so didn`t want to use PW. It got a heavy ONR rinseless followed by "claying" (and DP Polycoat). My Sonata was dirty from a week`s worth of rain and Central TX road grime/cement and, late in the afternoon, got the rinse, foamed with OPT Car Wash + ONR and then the modified GDPWM followed by drying with Dodo Juice Future Armor as drying aid. NOTE - for the 2, I used my smaller (1700 psi 1.8 gal/min) electric PW. It doesn`t make the shaving cream style foam but was all I needed.

I am a firm believer in that there is no "one size fits all" that is perfect for every situation - and anyone who says different is trying to sell you something. The best tool a detailer has is his/her brain. Evaluate each situation and adapt as necessary.

One other tip I picked up from my shaving adventures: soak the boars hair brush for 10-20 min prior to use. It will soften the bristles and also make the bristles last longer.

what`s the psi of your pressure washer mike? that was a seriously nice foam blanket you laid down.

I have 3. That was a 3100 psi 2.8 gal/min electric start gasoline powered one. I also have a 3000 psi 2.8 gal/min no electric start that I haven`t use since I got the electric start model. I also have a 1700 psi 1.8 gal/min electric unit that is quicker setup/teardown and quieter.

Sir, you are not fat.

And I gotta admit, I`m a bit jealous. Those are some comfortable looking pants!!

Joking aside, that`s a nice process. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and sharing. I know how much work can go into making one.

Appreciate that - even wish it were true.

Comfortable clothes that you don`t mind becoming permanently stained are important to me when detailing. Have ruined several nice shirts cleaning unruly BMW wheels.

Yeah, editing that video took 2 hours. I didn`t think too many would watch anyway but certainly not if it were 30 min.

Awesome thanks for making a video, lots little things to pick up on. I`m assuming those towels were just soaking in wash solution? How many wash towels to finish the car?

Correct, the bucket has a normal strength mix of CG CWC.

For a normal size, not too filthy car - 2. Quartered gives you 8 sides. Hood (2) + roof (2) + rear + front + driver front QP + driver door + driver rear door + driver rear QP + pass front QP + pass door + pass rear door + pass rear QP = 15 with one side left for glass. Larger and/or dirtier means need more towels. I try to go in the same pattern every time so I don`t actually have to remember if I`ve used all of the sides yet. Also work top to bottom (bottom being dirtiest) and things like mirrors or other places that are difficult to polish first with a clean side.

[KBsToy]

I am a firm believer in that there is no "one size fits all" that is perfect for every situation - and anyone who says different is trying to sell you something. The best tool a detailer has is his/her brain. Evaluate each situation and adapt as necessary.


As a weekend detailer no truer words. I always read, listen to advice but when it comes to detailing my toys each one is done differently.....

[Bunky]

I had not seen the trick to use the brush to clean the seams while the foam is on the paint.

[RDKC]

I had not seen the trick to use the brush to clean the seams while the foam is on the paint.

I`m pretty sure I hadn`t either, but I`ll definitely be using it here and there.

BTW, nice video mjlinane.