Contact Us
Home Products Detailing Blueprint
Exterior Wash
9

Exterior Wash

The exterior wash is the most commonly known and applied task in the detailing process. The exterior surfaces of a vehicle are susceptible to gathering dirt and debris, which require a vehicle wash soap to remove and clean.

There are three main methods to wash the exterior of a vehicle:

  1. Hand Wash - friction manual method. Uses a wash mitt, vehicle brush, or sponge, and is completed by hand. Use either CRAZY SUDZ (high viscosity, resilient foam), AUTO WASH (one-step wash and wax), or AUTO GLEAM (premium performance, hard water formula). You will require a bucket with a wash bucket grate, pressure washer, soap applicator (either a wash mitt, bi-level wash brush, or sponge), and a vehicle wash soap for this task method.
  2. Touchless Wash - frictionless manual method. Uses handheld equipment; the equipment itself does not contact the vehicle’s surface, it only applies liquid onto the vehicle’s surface. Use either COBRA, T-11, or PRESSURE KLEEN (powdered wash compound). You will require a pressure washer and a vehicle wash soap for this task method.
  3. Tunnel Wash - friction or frictionless automatic. Uses a drive-through tunnel wash. Friction washes use a brush or cloth tunnel wash, with either AUTO GLEAM or AUTO WASH. Frictionless washes use touchless washes such as tunnel or roll-over, with either COBRA or T-11. Use SPEED BEAD for the drying agent in the rinse process. You will require automatic equipment, and a vehicle wash soap for this task method.

Choose the best method for your needs depending on the equipment available to you.

The time to wash the vehicle exterior is dependent on the exterior surface area of the vehicle, the intensity and amount of dirtiness, and the method of washing. Once the vehicle exterior is washed, the areas of application will be clean, smooth, and free from dirt and unwanted particles.

Safety supplies include goggles, an apron, rubber boots, and impervious gloves. View the products used tab for Auto Valet products and accessories relating to this detailing task.

AREAS OF APPLICATION

rudder-image

Exterior Surfaces

PRODUCTS USED
PRODUCTS USED DIRECTIONS TIPS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Directions

METHOD 1: HAND WASH - FRICTION MANUAL

Use either CRAZY SUDZ, AUTO WASH, or AUTO GLEAM.

STEP 1: PREPARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Ensure the windows and sunroof are tightly closed. Wet the exterior surfaces with water to cool the surfaces. Rinse behind the panels, handles, and seams, to loosen and remove loose dirt and debris, lessening the potential of scratching and drip lines later on in the process.

STEP 2: PREPARE THE VEHICLE WASH SOAP

Dilute the vehicle wash soap of choice at the correct dilution ratio. Mix the soap and water together in a bucket. To mix, point the pressure washer nozzle into the bucket allowing the mixture to stir up, creating foam. When applying the vehicle wash soap, the foam will assist in lifting dirt from the surfaces.

STEP 3: APPLY THE VEHICLE WASH SOAP

Use a wash mitt, bi-level brush, or sponge to apply the vehicle wash soap mixture. Start at the top of the vehicle and work downwards, towards the bottom of the vehicle. Workaround the vehicle, massaging the soap across the painted surfaces. Access the hard to reach areas, seams, and corners. Lift the wiper blades, and wash behind door handles, latches, license plate holder, and underside of the trunk lid. Do not allow the vehicle wash soap to dry on the areas of application. Throughout the washing process, rinse your wash mitt, bi-level brush, or sponge out frequently; within every few body panels.

STEP 4: RINSE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Starting from the top of the vehicle, use medium to low pressure to rinse areas of application. Work downwards toward the bottom of the vehicle. Remove all of the soap; soap suds after application will contain contaminants that increase the potential of scratching or spotting, if not thoroughly removed.

STEP 5: DRY AND REVIEW YOUR WORK

Review work to ensure all dirt is removed. If necessary, repeat steps 3 to 4. Dry the vehicle.

METHOD 2: TOUCHLESS WASH - FRICTIONLESS MANUAL

Use either COBRA, T-11, or PRESSURE KLEEN.

STEP 1: PREPARE AND APPLY THE VEHICLE WASH SOAP

Dilute the vehicle wash soap of choice, at the correct dilution ratio. Apply the vehicle wash soap using high or low pressure, in either hot or cold water. Start at the bottom of the vehicle and work upwards towards the top. Do not allow the vehicle wash soap to dry on the areas of application.

STEP 2: RINSE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Use a two-stage high-pressure rinse. Stage 1: start from the bottom of the vehicle, working upwards. Stage 2: finish from the top of the vehicle working downwards. Remove all of the soap; soap suds after application will contain contaminants that increase the potential of scratching or spotting, if not thoroughly removed.

STEP 3: DRY AND REVIEW YOUR WORK

Review work to ensure all dirt is removed. If necessary, repeat steps 1 to 2. Dry the vehicle.

METHOD 3: TUNNEL WASH - FRICTION OR FRICTIONLESS AUTOMATIC

For friction, use either AUTO GLEAM or AUTO WASH. For frictionless, use either COBRA or T-11.
Use SPEED BEAD for the drying agent in the rinse process. Use automatic equipment according to the manufacturer's directions. Dilute both the vehicle wash soap of choice and drying agent to the correct dilution ratios.

Tips

  • Correctly using a vehicle wash soap provides high lubrication and limits legging when rinsing the areas of application.
  • When using pressure equipment, ensure it is in safe operating condition. Never direct water or air pressure streams at yourself or others.
  • Be sure to carefully read and follow all product instructions and precautions, on the product labels.

HAND WASH - FRICTION MANUAL

  • Always apply and rinse the vehicle wash soap starting from the top and working downwards, as more dirt accumulates at the bottom of the vehicle. Rocker panels typically contain more contaminants than the roof, for example. If the soap is not applied and rinsed working downwards, it is likely to leave scratch marks behind from residual dirt particles.
  • When using a wash mitt, first wash around the vehicle down to the midway bodyline, then wash around the vehicle’s bottom half.
  • It is recommended to use a two bucket system for handwashing to reduce the chances of scratching the vehicle’s painted surfaces. Ensure the wash mitts, bi-level brushes, and sponges are completely clean to minimize micro-scratching.

TOUCHLESS WASH - FRICTIONLESS MANUAL

  • Apply the vehicle wash soap at a high temperature, between 60˚C (140˚) to 71˚C (160˚F), and at high-pressure above 600 psi for best results.
  • If using PRESSURE KLEEN, a powdered wash compound, dissolve the powder in warm-hot water.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There are currently six (6) Auto Valet vehicle wash soaps available.

  • PRESSURE KLEEN: powdered wash compound, for use in high-pressure wash equipment and manual usage.
  • AUTO WASH: one step wash and wax, for use in both automatic and manual friction vehicle washes.
  • CRAZY SUDZ: high viscosity, resilient foam, for use in manual friction vehicle washes (manual pour and apply).
  • AUTO GLEAM: premium performance, hard water formula, for use in automatic friction vehicle washes, also performs well in manual friction vehicle washes.
  • COBRA: touchless car wash soap, for use in automatic touchless vehicle washes
  • T-11: truck and trailer wash, for use in touchless vehicle washes with minimal to no brushing.

Friction washes use water and vehicle wash soap, as well as utilizing brushes or rollers to remove dirt, grime, and road film from a vehicle’s exterior surfaces. Automatic friction vehicle washes rely on automatic machinery such as a tunnel wash using brushes or cloth. Manual friction vehicle washes rely on by-hand application methods such as a wash mitt or vehicle brush.

Applications

Products

Resources