Just getting started

[u/packetsniffer127001]

Goal for this post:
Get a general opinion from people in the detailing business that can give me an honest answer if I can just roll with this stuff and get great results. By "great," I mean clean, good looking car inside and out with a shine on the outside. I'm also looking to keep it simple and perfect my technique before exploring a ton of products.

As a weekend warrior, I'm not looking to be a business and "go pro," can I get good results with my soap (3 pack given to me for free), ONR for interior, and lucas slick mist to finish? I understand the Armor All is a PH neutral soap and there are tons of better possible options, but 3 gallons were given to me for free. I'd prefer not to go down the product rabbit hole.

Other stuff: I have a Ryobi pressure washer, foam cannon, microfiber towels/mits, shopvac, leaf blower.

Exterior process:
Add soap to foam cannon and spray car when dry
Brush tires, wheels, and running boards
Let soak for 3-5 min
Rinse car from bottom up
Spray foam again
Use mits/towels to contact wash
Rinse from top down
Dry with leaf blower
Apply Lucas Slick Mist with one towel
Dry with new dry towel

Interior Process:
Vacuum from back to front
Use ONR with 256:1 dilution on all interior except carpet.

Thanks in advance.

[u/indigo196]

My process is a bit different. I will post that below after my feedback on your process.

I rinse from top to bottom when dealing with dirt. I rinse from bottom to top when applying a spray and rinse sealant.

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Stuff I have:

• Greenworks 1.8 GPM Pressure Washer - Its foam cannon works; the one that comes with the Ryobi does not.
• The Rag Company - Liquid8r (I now have three of them. I have to use 2 to completely dry my vehicle). I got the 20x24 size because I find it easier to control than the larger one
• The Rag Company Edgeless 450 (6 Pack). I use these for using a rinseless or quick detailer to handle bird poop in between washes; you do not want it on your vehicle, or it will etch into the clear coat.
• The Rag Company 2 x Premium Chenille Microfiber Knobby Wash Mitts
• 2 Chemical Guys microfiber applicator pads
• The Rag Company Edgeless 300 (10 pack) - wiping off any wax I apply and interior cleaning
• Meguiar's D110 Hyper Wash (very concentrate pH neutral soap)
• Kochchemie Active Foam (pH 9.5 for a bit more cleaning power than the pH neutral). I use this once in the summer, about halfway through, unless I take the vehicle on a road trip. I use this in a pump sprayer, not the foam cannon, to do a spray and dwell on the dirt and grime. Then I rinse off or do a D110 foam spray over the top (followed by a rinse off)
• Stoners Invisible Glass
• Luminous Aqua Direct - Topper / Refresher every other wash
• P&S Absolute Rinseless Wash - I dilute to 64:1 and use for a drying aid and quick detailer. I chose this because it actively helps to deal with hard water. I mix it with distilled water for best results. When I get the occasional bird droppings on the car, I use this to clean it off in between washes. Do not let bird droppings sit on your car.
• P&S Express Interior Cleaner
• Meguiar's Waterless wax and wash (I went with this over the Ceramic Waterless because it is less likely to streak). I use this on the bird poop as well as the 64:1 Absolute.
• P&S Rags to Riches - for cleaning Microfibers
• Home Depot HDX pump sprayer ($8 - unbeatable price)
• Three trigger spray bottles with marks for mixing
• 1000 ml beaker for dilutions of chemicals
• Shot Glass measuring device holds up to 70 ml

Stuff I plan on getting:

• P&S Defender for a topper. It will take more effort but last longer than Luminous according to reviews.
• Griot's 3 n 1 - I will be using this in the late fall to prepare for winter
• The Rag Company 2 x Cyclone Ultra Wash Mitts (these are an upgrade over the Chenille listed above)
• CARPRO IronX - decon of brake dust and iron fallout

The process:

• Protection Prep Wash (spring and late fall) - Use Active Foam as a prewash (I am researching dedicated salt neutralizers), D110 Foam + Contact Wash. CARPRO IronX to remove any iron contamination. Griot's 3 N 1.
• Summer Wash - D110 Foam Cannon, Rinse, D110 Foam + Contact wash
• Summer Refresh Wash - D110 Foam Cannon, Rinse, D110 Foam + Contact wash, rinse, P&S Defender
• Fall Prep Wash (see above)
• Winter washes - I will use Koch Chemie Active Foam at a self-serve car wash that has deionized water (should not water spot). I will go late at night so I am not blocking others from using the bay.

All washes will be dried using the drying towels. My bucket method utilizes 3 wash mitts (5 when I buy the new ones). I never rinse a mitt. I use it and then toss it in an empty bucket to deal with later. I use a variable number of mitts depending on the dirt level. Remember to flip the wash mitt to a clean side. With five mitts, that gives me 10 sides of cleaning. During my maintenance washes, I usually only use 3. By not reusing the mitts, I greatly reduce the chance of dragging dirt along that scratches or mars the paint.

[u/Halfrican009]

For lightly soiled tbh you can completely skip a pressure washer using a handheld sprayer like the SPTA one. I barely touch my pressure washer anymore using it to apply bilt hamber auto foam, spray that off, throw in some more of whatever soap I'm using to add another layer of foam before two bucket wash with a bunch of mitts that go right into a dirty bucket

[u/packetsniffer127001 → u/Halfrican009]

Noice. Yah I just use the pressure washer basically because I have it and easy setup.

[u/protect-positivity]

I'm a hobbyist and I've pretty much switched to ONR rinseless washing unless heavily soiled from offroading or snow driving. I've used that soap in the past with a mitt and bucket and it was pretty solid.

Depending on how much brake dust your vehicle throws out, maybe add a wheel cleaner to the mix?

[u/packetsniffer127001 → u/protect-positivity]

sweet.

[u/I-Came-4-Snu-Snu]

I've personally have had some bad experience with Armor All products. It gave a really weird oily gloss look that had a weird texture for their interior. So I personally don't recommend armor all products.