How to speed up Car Washing?

[James1980]

An electric leaf blower does wonders for speeding up the drying process. Also helps prevent drips.
Look for a 200mph+ blower. Just be careful not to kick up debris while using it.

If you have an air compressor you can also use the air nozzle to dry, but I find the wider mouth of the leaf blower to work better.
Down side is your neighbors will look at you a bit weird lol. But it works

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[RcFlyer330]

Thanks for the YT links. I'm going down the rabbit hole.

Do you guys have any links for products you recommend?

Grit guards
Washers
Nozzles
Car wash soaps
Foam cannons
Pressure washers
Etc.

Grit guards
Detail guardz dirtlock base and the dirtlock scrubwall

Pressure washer
how much do you want to spend?
I went and spent ~$1500 for a professional detailing electric pressure washer, hose, stubby gun, angled extension lance, and nozzles. I would recommend it but most people won't spend that much for a home setup. Ryobi makes a electric pressure washer for detailing cars and its pretty cheap less than $150 and it will get the job done.

Foam cannon
mjjc pro v2 or v3

Nozzles, hose 50', gun, extension.
I have all mtm hydro aqualine. I Would recommend a uberflex hose over the mtm one due to weight and flexibility.

Soap any ph neutral soap should do. I use americana global products but p&s, quiver brand, koch chemie, and many more are good too. The quivr brand is imjoshv's brand and so far all his products i have had no bad things to say. I really like how easy the hot coat ceramic detailer is to use even if in my test it didn't last that long. It was tested on a jeep without any real paint prep owned by a 16 year old that likes to two track in the mud and not wash the vehicle for a couple months.

I also have a spot free rinse system (deiinizing tank) it's a must have for dark vehicles light vehicles you dont need it.

Autofiber Mitt on a stick pro is a must have for getting the roofs of vehicles clean.

Microfiber drying/deatiling cloths
I use the highest gsm twist loop towels I can get. 1300 gsm and 26x30, I think, are the size and weight of mine. I wouldn't use anything less than 350 gsm with no tags and and edge type the won't scratch the vehicle.
Autofiber makes some good really big drying towels and their other microfibers are good too.

As for websites
Clean-garage.com
Autofiber.com
Thehouseofrags.com
Dtlrsupply.com
Americannaglobal.com
psdetailproducts.com
kcxusa.com
Mtmhydroparts.com
To name a few.

 

[zx6roclet]

Any guidance on the spray nozzle type, pressure setting, distance from sprayed surface for a pressure washer?

I have been tentative about using the pressure washer due to concerns of paint adhesion to the aluminum body.

 

[gh8toes]

I live in Southern CA and drive on dirt roads with very fine dusty frequently (~every week). See Picture.
The dust can inhibit some of the sensors and obstruct my view.
The dust doesn't rinse off easily with just water and a hose with jet nozzle.
So, I wash my truck once per week and it typically takes ~4 hours.
I use the two (5-gal) bucket (Rinse and Soap) method.
I generally start with a thorough rinse including the under body with a garden hose and nozzle on the the jet settings.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Melnor-Heavy-Duty-Thumb-Control-8-Pattern-Nozzle-00452-HD/204506937

I then wash the truck from top to bottom using the following equipment.

• Car Wash Soap: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009IQXF...H7FOPQIM&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it
• Microfiber Wash Mitt: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086HKHWZ...ZH7FOPQIM&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1
• Step stool

Then i dry it with a Chamois Cloth:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AY69...ZH7FOPQIM&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I wax it top to bottom every 3 to 6 months with a Ceramic Spray Coating:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XYPS3P...ZH7FOPQIM&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it&th=1

I then put it away in the garage.

What are some products, tools, and techniques to get the same level of clean and protection in less time?

A trick I use to speed up the drying process is to use my leaf blower to force as much water off the truck before I start chamois wipe. Similar to what happens at a car wash. If you have a good wax job, hardly any drying is necessary.

 

[PB2021]

I use the same wash mitt. Can’t help on the wash side but to dry I swear by these. One is always enough to take all the water off and it’s completely dry. They are great
The Rag Company - The 1500 -... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09SNLBVMM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[roadPilot]

I got the '24 Dark Horse ceramic coated as soon as I bought it.

While I did hand wash it (foam cannon, Active 2.0 pressure washer, etc.), it didn't matter - I live on a dirt road.

EVERY day I drove it, the first stop I had to make was at the hand/wand car wash. I would throw $2 in there and just use the RINSE setting (water only) to get the dust and dirt off, then use my Dewalt leaf blower (with a special attachment for the car from stubbynozzles.com to dry it).

When I came home, even if the car was PERFECTLY clean, there would always be a fine layer of dust and dirt on the rear end (trunk/bumper/etc.).

Got so tired of the hassle, I sold the car.

Trucks? I have an unlimited car wash pass at Jax Car Wash. I wash it 2-3-4 times a week. It's a truck.

 

[Tall Tail]

Grit guards
Detail guardz dirtlock base and the dirtlock scrubwall

Pressure washer
how much do you want to spend?
I went and spent ~$1500 for a professional detailing electric pressure washer, hose, stubby gun, angled extension lance, and nozzles. I would recommend it but most people won't spend that much for a home setup. Ryobi makes a electric pressure washer for detailing cars and its pretty cheap less than $150 and it will get the job done.

Foam cannon
mjjc pro v2 or v3

Nozzles, hose 50', gun, extension.
I have all mtm hydro aqualine. I Would recommend a uberflex hose over the mtm one due to weight and flexibility.

Soap any ph neutral soap should do. I use americana global products but p&s, quiver brand, koch chemie, and many more are good too. The quivr brand is imjoshv's brand and so far all his products i have had no bad things to say. I really like how easy the hot coat ceramic detailer is to use even if in my test it didn't last that long. It was tested on a jeep without any real paint prep owned by a 16 year old that likes to two track in the mud and not wash the vehicle for a couple months.

I also have a spot free rinse system (deiinizing tank) it's a must have for dark vehicles light vehicles you dont need it.

Autofiber Mitt on a stick pro is a must have for getting the roofs of vehicles clean.

Microfiber drying/deatiling cloths
I use the highest gsm twist loop towels I can get. 1300 gsm and 26x30, I think, are the size and weight of mine. I wouldn't use anything less than 350 gsm with no tags and and edge type the won't scratch the vehicle.
Autofiber makes some good really big drying towels and their other microfibers are good too.

As for websites
Clean-garage.com
Autofiber.com
Thehouseofrags.com
Dtlrsupply.com
Americannaglobal.com
psdetailproducts.com
kcxusa.com
Mtmhydroparts.com
To name a few.

Thanks for the master class on car washing equipment. I have added a few to the cart and will build them out over time. still need to do some more research.

 

[Tall Tail]

if 1100-1300 psi is the correct pressure for a pressure washer, what is the optimal flow (gpm)?

 

[TremorDave]

if 1100-1300 psi is the correct pressure for a pressure washer, what is the correct flow (gpm)?

https://activeproducts.com/products/activea-2-0-pro-pump-electric-pressure-washer-m22-15

The type of pressure washer in the link is 2.0 GPM at 1000 psi. I like those a lot, but for the last few years I’ve been using a 3000 psi pressure washer with a stubby gun and a 40° nozzle and it still washes off the soap and grime and is pretty gentle on my systemX ceramic coating. I haven’t bothered figuring out the true GPM on the 3000 psi pressure washer.

 

[MonkeySpank]

Word of warning. I have a black truck and used a leaf blower once, I had a mess of hard water stains all over my truck because the leaf blower dries the water on the paint. It took me many hours with expensive products to remove all the stains. The best tool I have for washing is an extended car washing mitt, I can do the roof and hood in one go, even with a 6inch lift. Because of the hard water, I use about 5 large microfiber towels to quickly dry. I also never use the wash and wax car shampoo, only wash. My paint is still perfect.

 

[Bunker]

DI water and electric leaf blower to dry.

 

[RcFlyer330]

if 1100-1300 psi is the correct pressure for a pressure washer, what is the optimal flow (gpm)?

Depends on the pressure washer. Somewhere between 900-and 1100psi is optimal for detailing. Your pressure washer will determine the gpm. But the ratings usualy can be manipulated a little for example a pressure washer rated at 2500psi and 1.5 gpm may produce 1.9 gpm at that 900-1100psi. The more gpm the easier and quicker it will be to rinse off the soap. I would not want less than 1.5gpm but anything will get the job done.

 

[roadPilot]

Word of warning. I have a black truck and used a leaf blower once, I had a mess of hard water stains all over my truck because the leaf blower dries the water on the paint. It took me many hours with expensive products to remove all the stains. The best tool I have for washing is an extended car washing mitt, I can do the roof and hood in one go, even with a 6inch lift. Because of the hard water, I use about 5 large microfiber towels to quickly dry. I also never use the wash and wax car shampoo, only wash. My paint is still perfect.

My Dark Horse was black. It was also ceramic coated. Carried the Dewalt 20V leaf blower with a Stubby Nozzle in the trunk. Use it every single day I drove the car. Never had an issue.

 

[roadPilot]

Depends on the pressure washer. Somewhere between 900-and 1100psi is optimal for detailing.
Your pressure washer will determine the gpm.

GPM isn't all about the pressure washer. In fact, nozzle orifice size is just as critical as the pressure washer itself. As orifice size goes up, GPM goes up while PSI goes down.

But the ratings usualy can be manipulated a little for example a pressure washer rated at 2500psi and 1.5 gpm may produce 1.9 gpm at that 900-1100psi. The more gpm the easier and quicker it will be to rinse off the soap. I would not want less than 1.5gpm but anything will get the job done.

For detailing vehciles, you want to target 1,000 to 1,500 PSI and 1.5 to 2.0 GPM for best rinsing. Personally, 2.0 or greater is my preferred GPM. Further, you want a wide nozzle - 40 degrees -to spread that across the painted surfaces.

 

[wanaride67]

I used to be a "2 bucket guy", but this video changed how I wash cars/trucks...

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