Amusing thread with the expected replies, at one end a rite of passage to do f&*k all except growl at the car and expect it to clean itself and at the other several processes and products. FWIW I’m amongst the latter but you do get good and quick at things. Detailing is as much of a specialism as hifi or other topics and there’s prep, washing, polishing, waxing, claying, wheels and arches, lights and windows, interiors, never ending.
OP I would suggest watching some of the videos out there and maybe follow a YouTube channel for a while like forensic detailing channel. Then work out along the way how much you’re prepared to keep up through the year.
I’m another Bilt Hamber fan and I stick to this and Angelwax brands except for Autoglam fast glass and Done & Dusted detailing spray. This time of year I might snow foam if there’s a lot of winter crap stuck on. If not and for the rest of the year I’ll just hose rather than pressure wash off. I dilute the BH shampoo about 10:1 into the typical Screwfix garden pressure spray bottle (about £9 and I have several for different gardening jobs too) so whilst a product like BH in 5L bottle might be expensive when it’s diluted it’s still powerful and will last for years.
then single bucket method with long fibre mitt and grit guard, hose off then dry with decent specialised towel. Then detailing spray which really makes a difference to water run off and stuff not sticking.
my tips would be:
- Don’t see cleaning as cosmetic always, you’re often just removing stuff so it doesn’t build up
- Keep loads of microfibres around and drying towels, if something hits the floor don’t put it on the car again
- Do wheels with cheap cleaner or bucket after you’ve finished car then use a decent product such as BH for the iron and tar deposits
- Clay once a year or so, I didn’t get on with clay bar and changed to clay pad and optimum no rinse as lubricant, fantastic result
- Wax maybe once per 6 months
- Wash car maybe once per fortnight
- Check oil, tyre pressures and screen wash every week
- Keep wiper blades clean
- Try Angelwax H2O or similar that make windscreen hydrophobic and see if you get on with it, I drove 100 miles in sh1tty weather and did not use the wipers once (tough test though so cleaned and reapplied after that)
- I find I can stick to this, it’s like anything too little or too much and you won’t bother after a while