I've been washing my car all wrong all these years.

[iregret]

http://www.webridestv.com/showvideo.aspx?video=43655

I've already got one of these on order:
http://www.gritguard.com/

Anyone else have any car care tips?

 

[badazz81z28]

Hmmm....I see that as a waste of $$. heavy sediments are going to sink to the bottom with or without the strainer. Seems like all it does is prevent some who doesnt know better to wipe the rag on the bottom of the bucket.

 

[Aceshigh]

Agreed ^

 

[KJZ28]

I think its just to prevent the rag from touching the bottom when you throw it in the bucket.

 

[79camaro2001]

I like to throw my rag in the bucket while I'm rinsing, so it comes in handy. But I bought a pail that already had the grating in the bottom for $8.

 

[theflash]

I think that's a pretty cool idea.

 

[MR. FBDY]

That wash bucket grill is a great idea. If you used one, you would understand how much dirt collects on the bottom of the wash bucket.
It is designed to keep the wash rag or wash brush, from going to the bottom of the bucket and picking up dirt and tiny debris that can scratch the paint once you use the brush or rag again. This is very handy when your doing the tires and wheels.

 

[AJ_72]

I have to admit one thing, besides not using the "Grit Guard".

I've continuously washed the wheels last, on every car I owned. It just fell along the lines of what he said. "Start and the top and work your way down."

It's frustrating and very difficult to rinse the wheels and tires off and not get the car wet again. So after I was done with each wheel I'd have to go back over that area of the car with the chamois. Very time consuming and counter productive. I'll be washing the wheels and tires first from now on.

As far as the "Grit Guard" goes; At first glance I thought "There's not that much grit in the water". After thinking about it more, I realized it only takes one little piece of grit to leave a noticeable scratch in the paint.

I'm sold.

 

[dcozzi]

I rinse the car very well first and do the wheels last. I guess the thing couldn't hurt being in the bucket in case of a piece of sand getting back on the mitt.

 

[Alex71RS]

I use two buckets, one for the wheels, wheelwells, and rockers and the other for the body. Spray the wheels and wheelwells with a mild wheel cleaner (non-etching) or mild detergent (like 409). I always wash the rockers first, followed by the wheels, then the wheelwells. After that, that bucket gets washed out and the rag is put in the dirty pile. The bucket is then cleaned out and wiped and then filled with soap (Usually Meguiars Gold Class) and water and the second bucket gets filled with clean water only. Be sure not to use too much soap because it will cause the finish to look hazy. Wash the car, and after you do a section, rinse the wash rag in the clean bucket. If the rag hits the ground, replace it. Never put it back in the bucket if that happens. Always wipe the car with a clean towel, never a chamois. Make sure the towel was dried without any drier sheets or fabric softener. If so, it will not absorb water. It'll usually take at least 2 towels to fully dry the car. After the body is finished, use the least wet towel and dry the doorjambs, hood and trunk openings, and gas door area. Use the second to dry the wheels.

If you're going to wax the car, do it immediately. To clean the windows, use Windex and a newspaper. Most of the paper towels nowadays are recycled paper, and in the recycling process, they use a chemical that causes streaks on glass and they'll also leave little fuzzies all over the window. Newspaper works awesome, if you've never tried it, you'll be suprised.

If the wheels are chrome, use Windex. If the wheels are polished, use Eagle 1 's version of Nevr-Dull wadding. After you're done, wipe them off with a terry cloth towel, and dress the tires with Meguiars Hot Black tire dressing.

I've owned black cars for years, and this is the method I have come up with that doesn't look like you washed the car with Comet and dried it with a ScotchBrite. I like my cars spotless, and fortunately, I live in an area that doesn't get too much rain or snow.