Share your washing approach

[avinson85]

That is a good process. My main point is cleaning a vehicle is not rocket science ;-), but I do like your process.

Personally, I only do a light clean, ceramic prep, then coat them. However, I did not mention that I do this as the first step when picking up the wheels from the powder coating, before mounting tires.

ahh fair point as i also had one of mine power coated and this was my plan as a quick prep . However when i mentioned this to the specialist he did say i should be careful not not to clean with strong PH cleaners and also he wouldn't advise ceramic coating for at least 1 week or 2 after they have fully dried/gassed so now i'll have to repeat my steps above soon!

 

[meesterover]

ahh fair point as i also had one of mine power coated and this was my plan as a quick prep . However when i mentioned this to the specialist he did say i should be careful not not to clean with strong PH cleaners and also he wouldn't advise ceramic coating for at least 1 week or 2 after they have fully dried/gassed so now i'll have to repeat my steps above soon!

I will have to say, either your powder coater has a misunderstanding of the process or I (as well as the numerous powder coaters I have used) have a misunderstanding of power coating.

From my knowledge, power coat is fully cured after the baking and cool down process. Unlike 2K automotive paints that require a hardener, there is no extended curing duration like there is with automotive paint.

As far as Ph soaps, I will always use a neutral soap.

Curious, what are the difference in the results you see by using all three soaps?

I use Dawn dish detergent for the initial wash (after iron remover). Then after clay bar. Then after polishing. This is because Dawn has a degreaser that will remove all oil-based residue from the surface. I only use this for prep work. For regular washes, I really like the Adam's foam cannon soap and their regular car wash soap.

I am unsure what you call "Dawn" soap on the other side of the pond, maybe "Sunrise"...ok, that was a horrible dad joke, but I could not resist.
Basically, any dish washing detergent with a degreaser is what I use for the initial detail prep.

 

[avinson85]

I will have to say, either your powder coater has a misunderstanding of the process or I (as well as the numerous powder coaters I have used) have a misunderstanding of power coating.

From my knowledge, power coat is fully cured after the baking and cool down process. Unlike 2K automotive paints that require a hardener, there is no extended curing duration like there is with automotive paint.

As far as Ph soaps, I will always use a neutral soap.

Curious, what are the difference in the results you see by using all three soaps?

I use Dawn dish detergent for the initial wash (after iron remover). Then after clay bar. Then after polishing. This is because Dawn has a degreaser that will remove all oil-based residue from the surface. I only use this for prep work. For regular washes, I really like the Adam's foam cannon soap and their regular car wash soap.

I am unsure what you call "Dawn" soap on the other side of the pond, maybe "Sunrise"...ok, that was a horrible dad joke, but I could not resist.
Basically, any dish washing detergent with a degreaser is what I use for the initial detail prep.

ha , it's likely to be me tbf as its all new to me as ive never kerbed an alloy and this this was done buy the previous owner who tried (very well i might add) to hide it , it until i followed my steps above. it was just advice of the company so just following based off their experience i guess. I watch a lot of detailing YT vids and high / low ph cleans differnent things . If im prepping for full cermic coating i'll just do both to ensure the coating is as good as possible . It takes a long time but i spread it out over weekends . Glass one weekend, then wheels and tyres, then roof and rear engine bay, next to do is polish rear section and the front . then i'll leave the sides till last as not looking foward to them ! it does look incredible once it's done though and so much easier to clean .

 

[avinson85]

if anyone is interested the rag company currently have 21% off.. some great deals to be had.. https://theragcompany.co.uk/ and free delivery over £50

 

[Beardedbradley]

It might only be me, but does anyone else have their car ticking over whilst cleaning. I started this over the winter just to get stuff flowing for the hour or so it takes and to move it back and forth once finished so the parking brake didn’t stick, it seemed nothing mists up when cleaning so I’ve continued.

 

[Beachbum]

That’s strange. You’re using the same cannon as me and I’ve not had it clog once. I don’t clean it out when I’ve finished with it either. I also changed the internal nozzle when I first bought it for one with a smaller diameter. Apparently it makes it produce thicker foam (according to the professional detailed I was talking to). I’d have thought that would have made it clog more

An update on my MJJC cannon.
Took it apart and the filter was clogged as a London Sewer. New one put in today. The metal ball like attachment at the bottom of the tube that goes into the bottle also has mesh filter in it and mine was pretty clogged too. Cant seem to dislodge the grime thats in there, but have managed to clean it out a little bit. I am hoping that all this should solve the issue. Will find out in the next couple of days, when I clean it next.
Pic attached of the old filters. The Metal filters seem OK'ish, the fabric filter is heavily clogged.

 

[Kaz]

I just finished all the garage upgrades (AC, plumbing, new dedicated panel and 20 amp circuits, etc.) - I just do the OG process.

P&S Brake Buster for wheels/rotors/calipers
Bilt Hamber Touch-Less
Quivr Rogue contact wash (waiting for new OG soap but Rogue is SO GOOD)
DI Rinse
Ego 880 blow off water
OG Drying Aid (or Yum Detailer)

I ordered Bilt Hamber Touch On will try that when I get it, it goes after Touch-Less.

My car gets pretty filthy after just one canyon drive and this process is like therapy, and smells great.

 

[Orchardbike]

An update on my MJJC cannon.
Took it apart and the filter was clogged as a London Sewer. New one put in today. The metal ball like attachment at the bottom of the tube that goes into the bottle also has mesh filter in it and mine was pretty clogged too. Cant seem to dislodge the grime thats in there, but have managed to clean it out a little bit. I am hoping that all this should solve the issue. Will find out in the next couple of days, when I clean it next.
Pic attached of the old filters. The Metal filters seem OK'ish, the fabric filter is heavily clogged.View attachment 84380

That’s strange. I have an MJJC cannon and I’ve changed to jet to a slightly smaller one, which you’d think would clog up quicker than the standard one. I’ve been using it for 3 years and it’s never clogged. Do you fill the container with clean water after you’ve used the snow foam and operate it to let the clean water rinse everything through?

 

[harleyujoe]

I just finished all the garage upgrades (AC, plumbing, new dedicated panel and 20 amp circuits, etc.) - I just do the OG process.

P&S Brake Buster for wheels/rotors/calipers
Bilt Hamber Touch-Less
Quivr Rogue contact wash (waiting for new OG soap but Rogue is SO GOOD)
DI Rinse
Ego 880 blow off water
OG Drying Aid (or Yum Detailer)

I ordered Bilt Hamber Touch On will try that when I get it, it goes after Touch-Less.

My car gets pretty filthy after just one canyon drive and this process is like therapy, and smells great.View attachment 84384

I have machined finish floor and still in nice condition but 50 yrs and been thinking floor tiles but know I would have to remove some when I weld...And guess I just see so much dirt collecting under the tiles ...And wonder about them expending and rising with NJ humidity ??? Anyone who has tiles would like to hear comments.........

 

[Jolly R]

Full PPF and the local automated Crew car Wash. 5 minutes, Done. More driving, less washing!

 

[Beachbum]

That’s strange. I have an MJJC cannon and I’ve changed to jet to a slightly smaller one, which you’d think would clog up quicker than the standard one. I’ve been using it for 3 years and it’s never clogged. Do you fill the container with clean water after you’ve used the snow foam and operate it to let the clean water rinse everything through?

I wasnt initially, but have been for the last 6 months. Ironically all worked fine before doing this, the issue is about 4 months old, I think.
I do live in a very hard water area and the weighted tube in the bottle, I cleaned with descaler and that does appear to have cleaned out some of the obstruction, so now need a less sunny day to get a chance to give the car a clean and see if the Cannon works properly or not

 

[Kaz]

I have machined finish floor and still in nice condition but 50 yrs and been thinking floor tiles but know I would have to remove some when I weld...And guess I just see so much dirt collecting under the tiles ...And wonder about them expending and rising with NJ humidity ??? Anyone who has tiles would like to hear comments.........

You need somewhere for the water to drain, my garage has a slope so everything just flows out of the garage. You don't ever see dirt, I just spray water through the tiles, you can also vacuum or just pull up a section and wash or vacuum.