How I wash vehicles (Time-Saving)

justin30513

justin30513

Mobile Detailing Services
I'm saving 10-15 minutes easy by doing it this way. It does take some time to get it down, but when you do, you will love this method!

I'm also assuming that if you are reading this, you know how to wash a vehicle with a rinseless technique. Search "rinseless wash" to learn more.

  1. Spray wheels, tires, and wells with degreaser. Also the lower body panels and front bumper if needed.
  2. Pressure wash entire car making sure to clean the wheels, tires, and wells thoroughly.
  3. Using DP's 4-in-1 rinseless wash (or Optimum's No-Rinse), start at the driver's side roof. Do half. Then onto the front door and window. Open the door and do the interior front window (half) and interior driver's window. Go around the entire vehicle using this method. You can even wipe down the interior panels and dash area with 4-in-1 making your job even more efficient!
  4. When you get around to the hood, do the hood one half at a time. After the front bumper, you should be done.
  5. Dress tires and wells. They should be dry by now. I've actually done this step first on the last 4 vehicles I've washed. I just have to dry them manually. The good thing is that any overspray will get cleaned up while washing.
  6. Vacuum the interior. I'm even now considering vacuuming the same area that I have just washed. Should save more time. I'll let you all know.
  7. Dress interior. No, I do not do this every time I maintain a vehicle. Depends on the situation. If I've used DP's Interior Protectant before, I only reapply it once a month giving me one session free of dressing the interior.
  8. DONE!
*The key here is not having to stop and go to pick up bottles of cleaners. This time adds up to an easy 10-15 minutes per vehicle.
**You are saving even more water by not having to rinse off soap. This also keeps water spots and dried soap from forming.


Depending on the vehicle's condition, you may not even have to use a pressure washer at all! This will save another 10-15 minutes easily.

Time spent examples:
2006 GMC 2500 Truck.....
(Covered in mud.)
65 minutes.

2003 Ford Ranger....
(My truck. Well maintained.)
27 minutes.
 
Very interesting post. Lots of interesting information and ideas.
I do have a few questions for you to help me better understand the process.
Basically, just #1 and #3.

Justin30513 said:
1. Spray wheels, tires, and wells with degreaser. Also the lower body panels and front bumper if needed.

3. Using DP's 4-in-1 rinseless wash (or Optimum's No-Rinse), start at the driver's side roof. Do half. Then onto the front door and window. Open the door and do the interior front window (half) and interior driver's window. Go around the entire vehicle using this method. You can even wipe down the interior panels and dash area with 4-in-1 making your job even more efficient!
Click to expand...
My questions would be when doing a maintenance wash, If doing a full detail, the degreaser/wax question wouldn't apply.

#1. Do you have any concern about removing wax or sealant by using the degreaser in some of those areas? My Meg's APC+ says it will strip wax and since my wheels, bumper and lower body panels are waxed, I'm not real comfortable with using the degreaser on them.

#2. You evidently have good luck with the rinseless wash being used on the interior of the windshield and windows. I have usually felt I needed to do the windows in a separate operation. I seem to have a problem getting windows clean enough to satisfy me with a dedicated window cleaning product. The streaks that show up a day later drive me crazy. :)

Charles
 
#1. Do you have any concern about removing wax or sealant by using the degreaser in some of those areas? My Meg's APC+ says it will strip wax and since my wheels, bumper and lower body panels are waxed, I'm not real comfortable with using the degreaser on them.

If an APC is needed and its that bad, I will re-wax that area. I very seldom have to use an APC unless I'm doing a full detail anyways.

#2. You evidently have good luck with the rinseless wash being used on the interior of the windshield and windows. I have usually felt I needed to do the windows in a separate operation. I seem to have a problem getting windows clean enough to satisfy me with a dedicated window cleaning product. The streaks that show up a day later drive me crazy. :)

Try using ONR or 4-in-1 on interior windows. You will never use anything else again! It simply works.
 
justin30513 said:
#1. Do you have any concern about removing wax or sealant by using the degreaser in some of those areas? My Meg's APC+ says it will strip wax and since my wheels, bumper and lower body panels are waxed, I'm not real comfortable with using the degreaser on them.

If an APC is needed and its that bad, I will re-wax that area. I very seldom have to use an APC unless I'm doing a full detail anyways.

#2. You evidently have good luck with the rinseless wash being used on the interior of the windshield and windows. I have usually felt I needed to do the windows in a separate operation. I seem to have a problem getting windows clean enough to satisfy me with a dedicated window cleaning product. The streaks that show up a day later drive me crazy. :)

Try using ONR or 4-in-1 on interior windows. You will never use anything else again! It simply works.
Click to expand...
I will have to try it. I did use QEW for a window cleaner at one time and while the windows looked good right after using it, the streaks would show up a day or two later.
You have answered my questions.
Thanks.

Charles
 
Is there a reason that you are wanting to do these cars faster, volume?

The way that I see your method is for washing only, not to wax or polish the car after...By just pressure washing the car with out soap to loosen up the dirt I have concerns that there is still some dirt on the car
 
Beemerboy said:
Is there a reason that you are wanting to do these cars faster, volume?

The way that I see your method is for washing only, not to wax or polish the car after...By just pressure washing the car with out soap to loosen up the dirt I have concerns that there is still some dirt on the car
Click to expand...
Dave:
I think the pressure washing is just to remove the heavier accumulations of dirt on the paint. Kind of like my using the DIY wash before finishing with S&W or 4 in 1.
IMO, the pressure washer leaves some dirt/film even when used with soap.
I have a 6.5 hp, 2000+ lb. pressure washer and I don't think I would ever consider the vehicle clean enough to dry after using it with soap. In fact, I rarely use it on the vehicles. The DIY bays seem to have more pressure, but still don't leave the paint clean.

Charles
 
Wow, CharlesW. A two thousand PSI sprayer is, IMHO, a pretty good pressure washer pressure. You made the comment that the DIY'ers have more. Do you think that they have more pressure or more volume.??

No matter...... the use of soap or not I am sure that paint is not clean after a normal spraying. I agree with you that Justin was only trying to knock down the high spots before a waterless wash was or should be employed.
 
cwcad said:
Wow, CharlesW. A two thousand PSI sprayer is, IMHO, a pretty good pressure washer pressure. You made the comment that the DIY'ers have more. Do you think that they have more pressure or more volume.??
Click to expand...
Both.

IMO, waterless, rinseless, bucket washes all need some pre-rinsing to get the chunks off.

Charles
 
The quarter car wash pressure will vary from one to the other but typically you will have 3500 lbs. or more.
These will also deliver about twice the amount of water.
I have a pressure washer but like Charles I seldom use it on my vehicles but I have found a lot of other uses for it.
 
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