Washing considerations - what to watch out for?

[EmirOfDenmark]

I have been washing the car a few times since I got it. I use my pressure washer and car soap I use for other cars as well. Then, hand dry it with cloth.
Are there any considerations people are aware of, when washing? I.e. any places one should not shoot water into (other than the obvious). Any of the vents? Also, I know it is by design that the water drips on the engine when you open a wet cover, but it always seems a little weirds when that happens. Any issues with that anybody has had?

 

[Mistral]

I use a pressure washer to wet the car, then apply snow foam, leave for 5 minutes then pressure washer off. I use a small but powerful leaf blower to dry it. I don't spray through the mesh of the vents, always spraying from the side at a good angle. I spray the bonnet and front wings from the front to prevent too much water going into the bonnet vents.

The rear hatch is a quirk but if there's water on it I either don't open it or open it carefully, just a few centimetres at first for the water to drain into the channel behind the engine.

 

[gpslgs]

I find using a piece of half inch to three quarter inch rubber pipe insulation cut to the width of the window pressed flat and slid under the window halfway before I hand wash works perfectly and is very soft and will not scratch. I actually keep it in the trunk. And before removing it, I use a small leaf blower to remove the excess water off the lid. A full length of the pipe insulation is about 6 feet and costs about three dollars.

 

[Lotus64]

I find using a piece of half inch to three quarter inch rubber pipe insulation cut to the width of the window pressed flat and slid under the window halfway before I hand wash works perfectly and is very soft and will not scratch.

Thanks for the tip! Great idea.

 

[RoryBellows]

I dont think theres anywhere where you will beak something by spraying but if you spray into that glass vent at the rear you will soak your engine bay. Otherwise just make sure you are using a wide enough tip and low enough pressure where its safe for your paint.

My general procedure for washing is:
Spray all 4 wheels with wheel cleaner, brush, and rinse whole car
Foam cannon no wiping and rinse
Foam cannon with wiping and rinse
Dry
Detail spray
Windows

So far its worked well. I have ppf so I dont have to wax. The detail spray has a ceramic in it but I don't think its anything too high tech.