Whether you're new to washing your car or just looking for some tips, we'll go through the entire process and give you the step-by-step way to properly wash your car using the two-bucket method
Keep in mind, every method may not be for everyone, and this one may be a little too much for some, but read through it and pick out parts and make your own way. We just want you to show you how to properly wash your car so you eliminate as meany scratches and swirls as possible.
Before we get into the wash steps, we're going to need a few things. Again, you're not forced to buy any of this stuff, this is just what we recommend for this particular method of how wash your car properly.
What You’ll Need:
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Preparation: Gather Your Supplies
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Buckets: Label one bucket as “Wash” and the other as “Rinse.”
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Grit Guards: Place grit guards at the bottom of each bucket. These will help trap dirt at the bottom and prevent it from being picked up by your wash pad.
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Soap and Water: Fill the “Wash” bucket with water and add the appropriate amount of car wash soap. Fill the “Rinse” bucket with plain water.
2. Initial Rinse:
- Use a hose with a spray nozzle to rinse your car thoroughly. This removes loose dirt and debris, making the washing process easier and safer for your car’s paint. If your car is on the dirtier side, we recommend using a safe all purpose cleaner to help break up the dirt and grime before rinsing.
3. Wash Your Car:
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Soak your Pad: Dunk your wash pad into the “Wash” bucket to saturate it with soapy water.
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Wash in Sections: Start washing the car from the top down. This ensures that the dirtiest parts of the car (usually the lower sections) don’t spread grime to the cleaner parts.
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Gentle Strokes: Use gentle, straight strokes rather than circular motions to minimize the risk of swirl marks.
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Flip Your Pad: After finishing one section, flip your pad to reveal the clean, unused side an move on to the next section
4. Rinse the Mitt:
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Rinse in the “Rinse” Bucket: After both sides of the pad have been used, dunk your pad into the “Rinse” bucket. Rub it against the grit guard to dislodge dirt and contaminants. Wring it out.
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Re-soak in the “Wash” Bucket: After rinsing, dunk the pad back into the “Wash” bucket to reload it with soapy water.
5. Repeat the Process:
- Continue washing, rinsing the pad, and reloading with soapy water for each section of the car. This process ensures that you’re always using clean water and soap, reducing the risk of scratching your car’s paint.
6. Final Rinse:
- Once you’ve washed the entire car, give it a thorough final rinse with clean water from the hose. Make sure all soap residue is removed.
7. Drying Your Car:
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Dry: Use your microfiber drying towel, and gently glide it along the paint, picking up all the water.
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Use a Drying Aid: To ensure the towel glides safely across the paint and maximizing the towel's absorption, we recommend spraying a quick detailer, or spray sealant, on each panel of the car as you dy. Not only will it help with drying, but will add some gloss and protection to your car.
8. Optional Finishing Touches:
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Wax or Sealant: If you choose not to use a spray sealant as your drying aid, but would like to add an extra layer of protection and shine, apply a car wax or sealant according to the product instructions. This step can help protect your car’s paint and make future washes easier.
Tips for Success:
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Shade: Wash your car in the shade or during a cool part of the day to prevent soap and water from drying too quickly and leaving spots.
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Quality Products: Use quality car wash soap and microfiber towels for the best results.
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Regular Maintenance: Regularly washing and waxing your car helps maintain its appearance and protect the paint.
By following the two-bucket method on how to properly wash your car, you’ll ensure that your car gets clean without the risk of scratches and swirl marks, leaving it looking shiny and new.
If you're paying attention, you'll notice that the wheels were not included. That's a separate lesson and deserves its own bucket, but good eye.
Go take care of your car.
