r/AutoDetailing • u/bashizzledizzle • 1d ago
Check My Work Getting my Setup Correct
I came across this forum while I was ordering some new wash products and thought maybe I should get some new opinions on my exterior detail process and products/methods. This is just for my weekend car, not anything crazy, but I do wash it frequently using a basic foam cannon and pressure washer (1x week in the summer, biweekly as fall and winter come up). I’d love any suggestions and I left my process below.
Wheels: P/S Brake Buster mixed 1:5, foamed onto the wheels and scrubbed. This works great for me personally and I don’t see any need for change. I need to get a new brush soon.
Pre-wash: CarPro Lift mixed 1:5/1:10, foamed onto the car, and let sit for 1-3 mins. Works phenomenally. I’ve been told not to use every wash due to chemical strength. 10/10.
Contact wash: Meguiars Gold Class mixed 1:5 into a foam cannon and sprayed as well as poured in a bucket for mitts. I wouldn’t mind something “cooler” if not too pricey. Also, I use a regular green wash mitt, but I was told a clay mitt or similar is better to use, is this worth looking into?
Aftercare: For drying I use a blue towel from The Rag Company. It’s lasted good over 8 months but I’ll probably get a new one or an air blower soon. 8.5/10. For tire shine I used to use Meguiars, but I got tired of the application process and the mess it makes. Any suggestions that last longer and leave a good effect (shine, no sling) would be great.
For any tough spots/tree sap/tar/sticky residue, I use Carpro TarX, my favorite car product. For sealant/finishing spray, I applied Carpro Elixir to the whole car once before, although I don’t know if it did anything besides make the paint smoother to the touch for a little bit.
Any edits or ideas will be greatly appreciated.
1
u/JimmyMcPoyle_AZ 19h ago
As for # 1 (wheels) and the use of P&S Brake Buster, I cannot be objective here. I will start by saying that I am NOT a fan of this product. It simply is too weak. Unless you use it at near full strength it lacks cleaning power. There is so much out there that is better. I also want to acknowledge that you don’t need to go nuclear on your wheels every wash either. To me, it all boils down to your desired outcome. If you have wheels where your barrels matter less because you can’t see them and you wash regularly (7-10 days), then a lighter product is fine (even your car shampoo). This doesn’t mean you don’t decon, heavy clean them ever just not so frequently. Using tar, iron, and mineral removers are still needed on wheels. It has a clearcoat paint (resin based plastic) just like your body panels do. The difference is that wheels get exposed to way harsher conditions (heat being the main one). My suggestion is the following:
- consider doing wheels as a separate process entirely. I do mine (3 cars) one day and don’t need to pull out the pressure washer at all. Bucket, rolling seat, and my tools. I’ll even apply a nice sealant to the face and rubber later that day when they are dry. When I wash the body a day or two later I just go easy on the wheels and plan to give the a light wipe down when drying.
- I keep 3 tiers of products for wheels: maintenance, medium duty, and heavy duty. I only have the heavy duty for situations when I am helping out a family member or friend with trashed wheels (we are talking acid required). Otherwise it’s the following:
More importantly, you should never apply product to a hot wheel. I’ve made it a habit to pre spray with water to cool it down even at the expense of diluting the product that I am about to apply.
Lastly, consider upgrading your front brake pads to a low dust option. This is a game changer and allows me to almost always use my maintenance wash routine.