DIY Home Car Wash Guide for New Vehicles

By: Prentice St. Clair, CD-SV-RVC, RIT

So, you’ve purchased a new vehicle and you’re probably excited about keeping it looking new. This blog installment will suggest some do-it-yourself vehicle maintenance products from the vast assortment available from the Autofiber, P&S Detail, and General Car Care brands.

Table Of Contents

• Introduction
• Clean Wheels and Tires
• Wash the Main Body – Option 1: Traditional Bucket Wash
• Wash the Main Body – Option 2: Foam Cannon Wash
• Dry the Car
• Summary
• Prentice’s Picks: DIY Home Wash Kit for New Cars

Introduction

Of course, we always recommend washing the car in the shade, or, if no shade is available, in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not as strong. It’s always recommended to have all your washing supplies ready and staged so that you can complete the entire wash process without worrying about premature drying of water or soap on the car.

Clean Wheels and Tires

Supplies

• Pour a couple of ounces of P&S Pearl Auto Shampoo Concentrate into your Autofiber Wheel Bucket and fill with water.
• Throw in your Autofiber Barrel Blade, General Car Care Boar Hair Detail Brush, Large or Small Wheel Brush, P&S General Purpose Short Handle Brush, and hang a bottle of P&S Brake Buster on the bucket rim.
• Have a clean Autofiber Wheel Mitt on hand as well.

Procedure

• Make sure the wheels are cool before starting.
• Give them a full rinse.
• Mist wheel barrel (inside of rim), the face of the wheel, and the tire with Brake Buster.
• Use the Barrel Blade or Wheel Brush to scrub the barrel.
• Use the Wheel Mitt to scrub the face and spokes.
• Use the Boar Hair Detail Brush to scrub the lug nuts.
• Then use the Short Handle Brush to scrub the tires. Rinse thoroughly.

Wash the Main Body

Option 1: Traditional Bucket Wash

Supplies

• Pour a couple of ounces of Pearl Auto Shampoo Concentrate into your Autofiber Wash Bucket and fill with water.
• Place an  Mitt Slide into the bucket.
• Add your Autofiber Zero Cuff Wash Mitt or Flat Out Wash Pad, as well as an Autofiber Scrub Ninja Scrubbing Block
• Hang a bottle of P&S Bug Off on the rim of the bucket.

Procedure

• Rinse the vehicle.
• If bugs are present on the front grill, windshield, or side mirrors, mist with Bug Off and gently scrub using the Bug/Decon Flip Towel.
• Then dip your mitt or pad in the sudsy water and wash the hood using circular motions. Continue around the car, rinsing your mitt on the Wash Slide before each new panel.
• Once the entire body is washed, rinse thoroughly from top to bottom.

Option 2: Foam Cannon Wash

About Foam Cannons

A foam cannon uses water pressure to spray thick soap foam over your vehicle, speeding up the wash process. While professionals use pressure washers, this guide focuses on a foam cannon that works with a standard garden hose.

Supplies

• Fill your General Car Care Foam Cannon for Garden Hose with P&S Pearl Auto Shampoo Concentrate.
• Fill an Autofiber Rinse Bucket with clean water and insert an Autofiber Wash Slide.
• Set aside a bottle of P&S Bug Off and a Bug/Decon Flip Towel.
• Choose your preferred wash tool: Mitt-on-a-Stick PRO+, Flat Out Wash Pad, or Zero Cuff Wash Mitt.

Procedure

• Rinse the vehicle.
• Mist bug-heavy areas with Bug Off and scrub with the SBug/Decon Flip Towel.
• Spray foam over the car using the foam cannon.
• Wet your wash mitt or pad in the rinse bucket and agitate the foam on the vehicle in large sections.
• Rinse your mitt after each section using the Wash Slide. Once done, rinse thoroughly from top to bottom.

Dry the Car

Supplies

• Before you wash, set aside a General Car Care Water Blade Squeegee 
•  Autofiber Amphibian Microfiber Drying Towel.

Procedure

• Use the Water Blade to remove excess water from flat surfaces.
• Then use the twist-loop side of the Amphibian Towel to dry the rest. A leaf blower or compressed air can help remove water from mirrors and seams.
• Finally, use the fluffy side of the towel to buff off any residual moisture for a streak-free finish.

Summary

Market surveys show that drivers of clean cars are happier. With a new car, that’s even more true. DIY washing becomes more enjoyable—and effective—when you use professional-grade tools and chemicals.

Prentice’s Picks: DIY Home Wash Kit for New Cars

• P&S Pearl Auto Shampoo Concentrate
• P&S Brake Buster
• P&S Bug Off
• Autofiber Wheel Bucket
• Autofiber Wash Bucket
• Autofiber Rinse Bucket
• Autofiber Wash Slide
• Autofiber Barrel Blade
• ☐ Autofiber Wheel Mitt
• Autofiber Zero Cuff Wash Mitt OR Flat Out Wash Pad OR Autofiber Mitt-on-a-Stick PRO+
• Autofiber Scrub Ninja Scrubbing Block
• Autofiber Amphibian Microfiber Drying Towel
• General Car Care Large Boar Hair Detail Brush
• General Car Care Large or Small Wheel Brush
• General Car Care Foam Cannon for Garden Hose
• General Car Care Water Blade Squeegee