Clean your car like the pros but on a budget.

Posted on by DOugl

We bought a used Tesla Model Y and I thought it time to get back into washing the car at home. Wow, things have changed!

Spray on paint treatments have amazing capabilities( ceramic and graphene additives ), foam cannons which work with low end pressure washers and microfiber towels and applicators work fantastic and don’t scratch the paint.
I’ve not yet found the right spot-free hose filter so until then I’ll be blowing off the last rinse water( leaf blower ) and doing a quick wipedown with a fluffy microfiber towel.
I’m not sure how you maintain your car’s exterior but if you’re interested it gets really easy after the first good cleaning and paint protector treatment(spray on applicator, wipe on and then with small microfiber towel wipe dry). After that treatment, the water beads really well and stuff isn’t supposed to stick to it so subsequent cleaning isn’t more than gentle wiping down with the foam on the car.  
I document everything so I’m pretty much going to share what I’ll then copy and paste into my blogs and publish here for others to learn from.

My PROCESS goes like this:
1)a quick spraying “Spray Nine” on all 4 wheels to loosen brake dust etc.
2)apply foam cleaner to the whole car( 4oz TurtleWax Wash + 2oz Road Warrior degreaser + 2C water ).
3)spend a total of 1 to 2 minutes with a wheel brush on cleaning the mags/wheels. Experts also clean the tire sidewalls, your choice.
4) pressure wash off the foam looking for any spots of bug guts or stuck tar and target to blast them off.


5) apply foam cleaner to the whole car( 4oz TW Wash + 2C water ).


6) wipe section by section using microfiber wash mitt, First untreated cleaning I used a microfiber towel since some rubbing
might be needed. On treated surface use the mitt for light physical contact cleaning.
note1: use 5 gal bucket with ~1oz of cleaner to 3 gal of water. squeeze mit onto ground after each section then re-wet in the bucket before starting on the next section.
note2: my car sectioning: windshield+hood, front end/nose, LF fender, LF door+A/B pillars, LR door+C pillar, roof, RF fender, RF door+A/B pillars, RR door+C pillar, RR quarter panel, LR quarter panel, rear hatch+bumper, L and R rocker panels
7) pressure wash off the foam starting at the roof, top-down
8) if no water beading, using applicator “pad” apply paint protector/treatment section by section wiping off dry and smooth after each section. If water is beading then blow off large drops to reduce water dilution of treatment, use a small microfiber towel folded into quarters and apply protector/treatment wiping off dry and smooth after each section. Wipe using one clean microfiber towel per section helps go faster.
9) done. rinse foam cannon with clear water, rinse protector/treatment applicator with dish soap and wash all towels with liquid laundry detergent. Dry only on low or air-only or hang to dry.



First cleaning and treatment of our old car with no paint sealants left on it took 2 hours but I’m expecting subsequent cleanings and treatments to be around 45 minutes.

My TOOLS are these(note: affiliate links):

$142 RYOBI 1,800 PSI 1.2 GPM Electric Pressure Washer, RY141820VNM – https://amzn.to/49F0cf1
$22 Pressure Washer Foam Cannon for Car Wash  with Additional Orifice Nozzle 1.1mm, 1/4 Inch – https://amzn.to/3JhLWhx
$7 for 12 microfiber towels(Amazon) ~16″ x 12″ – https://amzn.to/3JoGOrG
$14 Chemical Guys MIC110003 Premium Microfiber Towels, Blue (16 Inch x 16 Inch) (Pack of 3)  – https://amzn.to/4aRjXkr
https://amzn.to/3xA7iUB
$13 Microfiber Wheel Brush – Soft, Non Bendable – Regular Size – https://amzn.to/4axOHaw
$15 Chemical Guys MIC49302 Premium Microfiber Wash Mitt, Lime Green, 9.6″ x 2.3″ x 7″ (2 Pack) – https://amzn.to/3Q3WDYV
$7  Microfiber Car Wax Applicator Pads (5″ Diameter, 6 Pack) – https://amzn.to/3vR5fLw
$20 Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions Pro Pure Wash 64 oz – https://amzn.to/3VUxHqr
$25 Turtle Wax 53477 Hybrid Solutions Pro Flex Wax, Graphene Spray Wax, 23 oz. – https://amzn.to/443Zd6L
$13 Spray Nine Permatex 26825 Heavy Duty Cleaner/Degreaser 22 oz – https://amzn.to/4awmdha
$40 Superior Products Road Warrior Degreaser – https://amzn.to/3xJAOas

$51 UBERFLEX™ Kink Resistant Pressure Washer Hose 1/4″ x 50′ 3100 PSI with (2) 22MM – https://amzn.to/3UinliV
alternate: Superior Products Road Warrior Degreaser – https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/superior-products/superior-products-1-gallon-degreaser/scp0/c461
alternate: Pressure washer: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1800-PSI-1-2-GPM-Cold-Water-Corded-ElectricPressure-Washer-RY141802/317623149

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