Car cleaning special tools or tricks

I have been researching detailing some more lately to see what I was missing, what I was doing wrong or could do better/easier, and have found a couple things I didn't know existed(foam cannon, and waffle weave microfiber). So anything u guys use be it a tool or improvised tool Or product.

 

Tools:

Bucket Grit Guards Boar's Hair Detailing Brush - great for cleaning emblems & tight spots in grille (look around online. I paid half that when I purchased mine several years ago)

Wheel Coating - apply this once a year & wheels clean up like new with soap & water. I haven't purchased a bottle of wheel cleaner since. - Expensive, but a little goes a long way & you save money by not needing wheel cleaner any longer. There are cheaper brands these days. I purchased this on a sale several years ago when coatings were just coming around.

Methods:

Two Bucket Cleaning Method - Per Autogeek, "The first bucket is filled with clean water and the second bucket is filled with your favorite car wash soap. Dunk your mitt into the soapy car wash solution first to wash your car with lubricating suds and then dunk the mitt vigorously into the bucket with clear water to rinse the mitt thoroughly."

Flood Rinse - Once your vehicle is washed remove the sprayer from the hose & "flood" the paint with water straight out of the hose end. This will create a sheeting effect which leaves a lot less water to soak up with your drying towel. http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forum...w-to-rinse-using-the-flood-method-(with-pics)

One more trick I've learned is overtime your microfiber drying towels can get a film of wax/sealant on them. The water will just bead up on the towel & get pushed around on the paint instead of absorbing. If this happens give the towel a good spray of water before using it, then wring out the towel & it will work properly again.

 

Duragloss Aquawax! I also like the DG 253 tire and rubber dressing.

Rinseless washes are fun if your truck isn’t filthy. Wolfgang Uber Rinseless Concentrate is awesome. It can be mixed at different ratios for different tasks.

 

Autogeek, Adams Polishes, Chemical Guys, and Shine Supply are great places to start.

 

-two bucket wash method is a must. (specially on a black truck)
-foam cannon for the water hose makes life simple
-washing a black vehicle is best done in the shade (and kept wet the hole time)
-using a bristle brush on your carpet before vacuuming saves loads of time
-armor oil wipes are the shit
-turtle wax bug/tar remover actually works
-clay bar once a year followed by a fresh coat of wax does wonders
-McGuire's ultimate liquid wax can be used in direct sunlight (yes i've used it many times)
-if you get it extremely muddy, you can soak the whole truck with soap in 2 minutes with a foam cannon, then pressure wash all the mud off to make the hand wash time decrease by at least half

just a few things i've learned since i got my 2015 black DCSB

 

If talking water hose, then it is a foam gun not cannon. Cannon hooks to pressure washer.

I think you meant ArmorAll wipes are shit.

 

yeah you're right about the foam gun. but man i actually really like the ArmorAll wipes

 

An electric pressure washer. It uses less water and the extra pressure helps blast dirt and grit off the exterior. That means less dirt to scrub during your hand wash process.

 

Just used a foam gun for the first time. Extremely impressed!!

 

Been looking at those, think I might get one

 

Look up Obsessed Garage on youtube he has a bunch of great videos

 

It was like $40 on Amazon. I'll try and find the link

 

Cool thanks, I posted this looking for stuff like this but I think it makes me sound like I'm 16 and have no idea how to wash a vehicle,lol. I started looking on autogeek and just saw so much stuff, like the foam gun, and waffle weave microfiber drying towels, that I've not seen or used I wanted to see what all guys were using on here.

 

Sorry for making you so some work here but my phone is beyond awful. Screenshot was my Amazon order for cleaning supplies. Got some.other stuff as well but these are some great basics

 

I've actually looked at that gun but didn't buy it cause I wasn't sure if it would work good, may have to do some amazoning this eve

 

I used it last night for the first time. Was very impressed. The soap part easily comes off and the handle is high powered for the wash down. Foam worked great

 

As most have mentioned.....

Chemical Guys foam cannon is the ticket! They have awesome soaps with gloss enhancers that really do work. Noticed a huge difference on my wife's black 4 runner.

Cheap electric pressure washer from Wally World has been awesome for me and is perfect for washing cars.

Microfiber is the best for wash mits, towels, rags, etc.

Meguiars makes awesome products. I love their waxes and compounds.

Clay bar the vehicle once or twice a year. Makes the paint feel smooth as glass.

2 bucket wash method with dirt traps.

**something I recently learned--fill the 5 gal bucket 3/4 of the way full with fresh water.....THEN add in the recommended amount of soap......THEN agitate with the hose to mix it in and make some suds**

I used to put the soap in and then fill the bucket. Water is the true cleanser....the soap just lubes it up and helps release the dirt.

Wash in straight lines!!!! Not circles!!! Helps keep swirls down