Poll: What does everyone use to wash their cars with?

[CaysE]

A pressure washer should be what's used to take the majority of the dirt off so you don't get scratches and swirl marks. I use a chenille mit with Meguiar's Gold Class car wash soap after that, and then Gold Class liquid wax with a microfiber applicator pad, and a microfiber towel to buff.

One of the key points to reducing the sight of scratches (because they inevitably happen when washing), is to wipe front to back on top surfaces, and top to bottom on side surfaces.

[MaximusZTS]

Originally posted by CaysE
One of the key points to reducing the sight of scratches (because they inevitably happen when washing), is to wipe front to back on top surfaces, and top to bottom on side surfaces.

This is not true! Scrathes and swirls are the direct result of improper washing technique. They can be avoided.

[CaysE]

They're the direct result of improper "anything that touches the car" technique, not just washing, but it happens ALL the time. Let's face it, far more people here will be able to at least lessen the visibility of these scratches by following the "top: front to back, sides: top to bottom" technique than not. And it's easier than buying a pressure washer.

[jakobvolcom]

i just use a regular washmitt or the carwash brush....

[leftbas]

Originally Posted by jakobvolcom

i just use a regular washmitt or the carwash brush....

I live in an apartment, too, so I have to take my ZX3 to the coin-op car wash. To minimize the scratches and swirl marks, I use the brush but I spray it with the power washer first. Then I soap up with the brush, but I time it so that I let the time run out by the time I get suds all over the car. Then I leisurely brush every square centimeter of the body and wheels (after the painted parts, of course). Once that's done, I pop more quarters in the machine and start power rinsing. Then I use the wax, and finally the dripless rinse, and she's good to go. I always get her completely clean that way.

If I had a place that I could wash her with a hose, I'd be using a microfiber mitt and Mother's car wash. Aside from that I use pretty much all Mother's stuff for car care. I'm dying to try out the clay bar when I give her her first wax job.

[leftbas]

Originally Posted by MaximusZTS

This is not true! Scrathes and swirls are the direct result of improper washing technique. They can be avoided.

Yeah, that's pretty much bunk. Light scratches and swirl marks are impossible to avoid completely. That's what polishes and waxes are for. They can be minimized by frequent rinsing of the wash mitt, but they happen.

[OrangeSVTguy]

hmmmmm.... i use water and soap to wash my car.
the best thing i ever bought for my car are the microfiber towels. i love them for drying more then anything. i just started using them but damage has already been done from using the brushes at the high pressure do it yourself car washes been using meguiars products which has helped a lot, especially their scratchX.

[XxXREDZX4]

i used to use a good ole rag, but now i use a nice long brush.

[agp56]

Microfiber mitt, car wash soap, five gallon bucket with strainer in the bottom so the dirt will settle to the bottom, microfiber drying towel.

Results = clean shiny car

[americanrice]

I pour bleach on a sea sponge then dip it in sand. Then I scrub the car pretty hard, and then rinse it off with nail polish remover. 80 grit sandpaper works good to dry it off. (Jk dont do that)
Yeah anything microfiber works wonders.