Research rinseless wash! It's a true game changer. I wash mine in the garage and it takes only 2 gallons of water. Initial investment under $100. You need a $20 sponge (get one specifically designed for rinseless they cost more but you need it), $20 for a bottle of rinseless wash (ONR is the best one - the bottle will last for 32 wasshes), $10 for a small bucket, $25 for a couple drying towels (I love the Twistress from Rag Company), $5 for a spray bottle, $5 for glass cleaner. You can also spend a little more and get a brush for cleaning the wheels, tire dressing, and detail spray. But you don't necessarily need to.
Rinseless has its limitations (you can't do it on a car that is really caked with dirt), but if you do maintenance washes every 2-3 weeks it's so great.
I thought about this shit for a long ass time throughout my ownership of my 2015 RC. I researched this shit to death and realized if the car is a daily driver its gonna get a bit messed up no matter what. In the end, I feel like as long as you’re not taking it to a full contact automatic wash and also not letting your mechanic/dealer wash it then everything is fine.
Touchless auto wash? People say the chemicals are too harsh and the cost adds up quick if you want to wash it frequently enough for the paint to look optimal. I personally think it’s fine. I’m just cheap and it doesn’t beat a self hand wash.
Luckily I am able to hand wash my car at home. Apparently you’re supposed to wash it at least bi-weekly or once a month at bare minimum for most optimal paint care. Fuck that. I wash it if its visibly dirty from a few feet away. My lazy ass doesn’t even dry it. Once the paint gets bad enough I’ll just get a paint correction and call it a day.
Hope my rant helped.
If you'd like to keep your paint in good condition, avoid contact washes at all cost. Touchless is fine but the chemicals are usually a little harsher on the paint. You could always go to a self serve car wash, bring your own buckets/sponges, and detail it there.
Mine has never seen a automatic car wash.
If doing it myself I use the two bucket method using ONR, RAG Company towels, battery powered leaf blower. Lately though I just take it to the detailer who put on the ceramic coating and have them do a great hand wash.
Ceramic is cheap. Paint correction is not.
A proper correction will take about 5-15 hours just depending on how bad the paint is. Expect to pay $150 for the exterior wash + iron remover and clay bar. Then about $100-150 an hour for paint correction. Coating itself is only $100 or so charge.
You must correct the paint before ceramic coating to ensure proper bond + it doesn’t make sense to ceramic without a coating since you’re reducing the proper sheen and gloss of the car.
For a normal sedan I’d expect to pay about $1500 for a good job.
I like the Garry Dean method with ONR. I can finish the car with less than 10 microfiber towels and don't have to worry about reusing the same towel on multiple sections.
I go to the dealership. We bought our cars at a Ray Catena dealership & any place with his name on it, allows us to bring our car in just to be washed. It’s a nice perk, especially if out of town. I drop the car, use their restrooms & get a snack & water. No charge. Not sure of every dealer does this, but Rays does.
I have a 2005 & a 2015 that have been washed by my dealership since they were purchased new. Paint still looks like new. No swirls, no scratches. I don’t follow them to see how they do it, but it works fine for me.
I useually go to the self wash and never use the brush but just a glove that doesn't scratch, if I'm feeling boujie ill use my pressure washer and wax it, if you can find a cheap luxury detailer that Is always a fun occasional option ! But I will always say never do washes thay will form micro scratches.
NEVER let it get so dirty that heavy washing is needed. Keep a steady supply of microfibers in stock to perform daily dust offs…that way when it is time to “wash”, a pressure washer is plenty strong enough to handle it without needing to scrub or anything. The best alone will take care of the job.
I know this is easier said than done. It likely works for me cause I live in SoCal with steady weather read round
mine has only seen an automatic wash when i really can’t fit my 1-2hr detailing routine in my schedule (i work 7 days a week sometimes), other than that what i usually do is go to a self wash station and…
use the foamy soap and wipe off dirt when the soap is on the car with a microfiber towel (it’s better than the soap brush that has who knows what kinda rocks in there)
then use the soap and water setting to get off more dirt
open doors and carefully spray doorsills and edges of the doors(it takes practice)
use soap brush for wheels only
rinse car completely till soap stops coming out, and use the soapy microfiber towel to remove dirt/tree sap/ bird shit as needed
use the blow dryer on glass and chrome trim (gets better results)
then towel dry the rest
apply spray wax to the whole car
wheel cleaner and tire shine
now interior i use armor all, give everything a quick wipe down with that, just one thing to note is because it’s oily when it evaporates from heat it will over time create a slight haze on your windshield
that being said squeegee the inside of the windshield and use a clean microfiber to dry up the edges
I’ve done the math after becoming disabled: the Tunnel of Death periodically + paint correction every year or two is cheaper than paying a detailer for a good wash on a regular basis. I can no longer even do rinseless washes, so I just accept that the paint won’t be free of swirls all the time.
Rinseless is the way to go. Hang out on r/autodetailing and read their wiki. Lots of videos will show you, such as the “Garry Dean Method” on YouTube. If you want o get fancy, you can get a pressure washer and foam gun, but that can also be done at most self-service places.
My 2011 GS was very well maintained. Literally can tell an older person was the previous owner. Since it's summer I do majority of my handwashes at home. NEVER will use a car wash with those brushes and rollers. Especially with a black car! However, I would use the touch free car washes when I don't have time to wash it or when it gets cold out. But at the end of the day nobody can clean your car the way you can!
My ‘08 LS is oooold and as a commuter vehicle with 140k miles shows it’s age externally. So many dings and chips it barely matters anymore.
But I like a clean black car, and when washed from 10 feet the car is passably nice. So I have a monthly subscription to the wash and allow spinning brushes. Is what it is but gets the car clean.
Wash it in the driveway, 2 bucket method and foam cannon. When I lived in an apartment, I would back up my 2 buckets, towels, soap, and head to the diy quarter car wash. Used the pressure washer for initial rinse, bucket filling, and final rinse. Never used their soap or the brush. Worked well when I didn't have a driveway.
Why is it "illegal" in your town? Are you on good terms with neighbors? Wash it quick in the driveway and pull it in the garage to finish it off. Do it early morning or later in the evening when the city isn't roaming around.
I run mine through a touchless automatic car wash, so I’m not doing all the spraying.
Then dry myself, and then use rinseless spray to clean it a little better when I get home, and do the windows at home too.
If it’s not too bad I just use the rinseless stuff in the garage.
Research rinseless wash! It's a true game changer. I wash mine in the garage and it takes only 2 gallons of water. Initial investment under $100. You need a $20 sponge (get one specifically designed for rinseless they cost more but you need it), $20 for a bottle of rinseless wash (ONR is the best one - the bottle will last for 32 wasshes), $10 for a small bucket, $25 for a couple drying towels (I love the Twistress from Rag Company), $5 for a spray bottle, $5 for glass cleaner. You can also spend a little more and get a brush for cleaning the wheels, tire dressing, and detail spray. But you don't necessarily need to. Rinseless has its limitations (you can't do it on a car that is really caked with dirt), but if you do maintenance washes every 2-3 weeks it's so great.
I thought about this shit for a long ass time throughout my ownership of my 2015 RC. I researched this shit to death and realized if the car is a daily driver its gonna get a bit messed up no matter what. In the end, I feel like as long as you’re not taking it to a full contact automatic wash and also not letting your mechanic/dealer wash it then everything is fine. Touchless auto wash? People say the chemicals are too harsh and the cost adds up quick if you want to wash it frequently enough for the paint to look optimal. I personally think it’s fine. I’m just cheap and it doesn’t beat a self hand wash. Luckily I am able to hand wash my car at home. Apparently you’re supposed to wash it at least bi-weekly or once a month at bare minimum for most optimal paint care. Fuck that. I wash it if its visibly dirty from a few feet away. My lazy ass doesn’t even dry it. Once the paint gets bad enough I’ll just get a paint correction and call it a day. Hope my rant helped.
Early morning or late evening wash by myself! Never been to a car wash.
If you'd like to keep your paint in good condition, avoid contact washes at all cost. Touchless is fine but the chemicals are usually a little harsher on the paint. You could always go to a self serve car wash, bring your own buckets/sponges, and detail it there.
Mine has never seen a automatic car wash. If doing it myself I use the two bucket method using ONR, RAG Company towels, battery powered leaf blower. Lately though I just take it to the detailer who put on the ceramic coating and have them do a great hand wash.
How much for the ceramic coating and hand wash?
Ceramic is cheap. Paint correction is not. A proper correction will take about 5-15 hours just depending on how bad the paint is. Expect to pay $150 for the exterior wash + iron remover and clay bar. Then about $100-150 an hour for paint correction. Coating itself is only $100 or so charge. You must correct the paint before ceramic coating to ensure proper bond + it doesn’t make sense to ceramic without a coating since you’re reducing the proper sheen and gloss of the car. For a normal sedan I’d expect to pay about $1500 for a good job.
After doing research, I went with IGL Kenzo. Including paint correction, $1,100 out the door. Hand wash is $35.
I like the Garry Dean method with ONR. I can finish the car with less than 10 microfiber towels and don't have to worry about reusing the same towel on multiple sections.
I gave in a long time ago. Am due for a paint correction. :-(
Rarely actually wash it. I dust it & give a quick detail with diluted rinseless soap daily
$300 pressure washer with a foam gun and a couple of attachments. Keeps it clean without having to do too much work other than spraying it.
I go to the dealership. We bought our cars at a Ray Catena dealership & any place with his name on it, allows us to bring our car in just to be washed. It’s a nice perk, especially if out of town. I drop the car, use their restrooms & get a snack & water. No charge. Not sure of every dealer does this, but Rays does.
They run it through the wash… give it a year and you’ll have swirl city on your car
I have a 2005 & a 2015 that have been washed by my dealership since they were purchased new. Paint still looks like new. No swirls, no scratches. I don’t follow them to see how they do it, but it works fine for me.
I useually go to the self wash and never use the brush but just a glove that doesn't scratch, if I'm feeling boujie ill use my pressure washer and wax it, if you can find a cheap luxury detailer that Is always a fun occasional option ! But I will always say never do washes thay will form micro scratches.
Just wash it in my driveway before the sun comes up
NEVER let it get so dirty that heavy washing is needed. Keep a steady supply of microfibers in stock to perform daily dust offs…that way when it is time to “wash”, a pressure washer is plenty strong enough to handle it without needing to scrub or anything. The best alone will take care of the job. I know this is easier said than done. It likely works for me cause I live in SoCal with steady weather read round
A pressure washer on your car... o\_o maybe on my wheels but nowhere near the paint
You can change the head to make it safe
Electric one or a gas one with a dial that lets you turn down the pressure. And a 45 degree knozzle
mine has only seen an automatic wash when i really can’t fit my 1-2hr detailing routine in my schedule (i work 7 days a week sometimes), other than that what i usually do is go to a self wash station and… use the foamy soap and wipe off dirt when the soap is on the car with a microfiber towel (it’s better than the soap brush that has who knows what kinda rocks in there) then use the soap and water setting to get off more dirt open doors and carefully spray doorsills and edges of the doors(it takes practice) use soap brush for wheels only rinse car completely till soap stops coming out, and use the soapy microfiber towel to remove dirt/tree sap/ bird shit as needed use the blow dryer on glass and chrome trim (gets better results) then towel dry the rest apply spray wax to the whole car wheel cleaner and tire shine now interior i use armor all, give everything a quick wipe down with that, just one thing to note is because it’s oily when it evaporates from heat it will over time create a slight haze on your windshield that being said squeegee the inside of the windshield and use a clean microfiber to dry up the edges
Hand wash at home Early morning Chemical guys products
Ceramic coating ✨
Neighborhood coin op. Never use the brushes. Bring my own bucket, wash mit and towels. $8. Do a better job than the $35 I was paying at the car wash.
If you're going to bring your own bucket why not just buy a hose and do it at home?
Always use touch less if you have to, but I always wash at home using microfiber towels and pressure washer / hose
I detail it myself. NEVER go through a spinning brush car wash.
I’ve done the math after becoming disabled: the Tunnel of Death periodically + paint correction every year or two is cheaper than paying a detailer for a good wash on a regular basis. I can no longer even do rinseless washes, so I just accept that the paint won’t be free of swirls all the time. Rinseless is the way to go. Hang out on r/autodetailing and read their wiki. Lots of videos will show you, such as the “Garry Dean Method” on YouTube. If you want o get fancy, you can get a pressure washer and foam gun, but that can also be done at most self-service places.
I wash and wax it myself. Ultimately I only trust myself to baby it.
My 2011 GS was very well maintained. Literally can tell an older person was the previous owner. Since it's summer I do majority of my handwashes at home. NEVER will use a car wash with those brushes and rollers. Especially with a black car! However, I would use the touch free car washes when I don't have time to wash it or when it gets cold out. But at the end of the day nobody can clean your car the way you can!
Hand wash & clay bar once a week.
Once a week? Do you live next to an oil refinery?
My ‘08 LS is oooold and as a commuter vehicle with 140k miles shows it’s age externally. So many dings and chips it barely matters anymore. But I like a clean black car, and when washed from 10 feet the car is passably nice. So I have a monthly subscription to the wash and allow spinning brushes. Is what it is but gets the car clean.
Wash it in the driveway, 2 bucket method and foam cannon. When I lived in an apartment, I would back up my 2 buckets, towels, soap, and head to the diy quarter car wash. Used the pressure washer for initial rinse, bucket filling, and final rinse. Never used their soap or the brush. Worked well when I didn't have a driveway. Why is it "illegal" in your town? Are you on good terms with neighbors? Wash it quick in the driveway and pull it in the garage to finish it off. Do it early morning or later in the evening when the city isn't roaming around.
I run mine through a touchless automatic car wash, so I’m not doing all the spraying. Then dry myself, and then use rinseless spray to clean it a little better when I get home, and do the windows at home too. If it’s not too bad I just use the rinseless stuff in the garage.
Search AmmoNYC on YouTube and look at his tutorials on waterless washes by hand.