I cried. http://3mcarcare.co.uk/washing-and-drying.php
Discuss. 8)
Discuss. 8)
"Expert" detailer washing an aston (with a sponge)
- Thread starter playalistic
- Start date
It's not the sponge I'd be worried about, as it's the same 2-bucket process whether it's a synthetic sponge, natural sponge or mitt (although the natural one tends to have grit in it from new).
The bit that worried me most was him leaning on his lance, with the end of the lance on the floor, and then him simply pointing it at the car and blasting both the water and the grit he's had it standing in straight at the car.
He's also not rinsing the mitt/sponge as heavily as I would personally, and he's also using the same mitt/sponge for the grittier parts of the car where I'd be using one for the top, one for the bottom and one for wheels - but I'm just a layman and haven't got a profit margin to protect
Although, saying all that, the car didn't look any cleaner after he'd finished, so I'd assume it was just being washed for show and had already been cleaned 'correctly' previously.
The bit that worried me most was him leaning on his lance, with the end of the lance on the floor, and then him simply pointing it at the car and blasting both the water and the grit he's had it standing in straight at the car.
He's also not rinsing the mitt/sponge as heavily as I would personally, and he's also using the same mitt/sponge for the grittier parts of the car where I'd be using one for the top, one for the bottom and one for wheels - but I'm just a layman and haven't got a profit margin to protect
Although, saying all that, the car didn't look any cleaner after he'd finished, so I'd assume it was just being washed for show and had already been cleaned 'correctly' previously.
Also, he dried the car by moving the drying towel across the panels. It can casue swirl marks as very fine dust, etc. can land on the bodywork after the wash. I only pat with towel to remove excess water from the panels.
However, his method was still bit better than £5 hand car wash available at supermarket/retail park carparks. A normal car wash (just exterior wash and dry) takes me 2.5 to 3 hours. £5 car wash takes no longer than 10 minutes. :thumbsdown:
How much will a proper detailer charge for just washing/drying a car (using high quality shampoo and clean wash mitts)?
However, his method was still bit better than £5 hand car wash available at supermarket/retail park carparks. A normal car wash (just exterior wash and dry) takes me 2.5 to 3 hours. £5 car wash takes no longer than 10 minutes. :thumbsdown:
How much will a proper detailer charge for just washing/drying a car (using high quality shampoo and clean wash mitts)?
Right then.........
This is Paul dalton, the man that kicked off detailing in britain for majority of folk so he knows his stuff.
The sponges are zymol and are I would say 60% softer than standard sponge, regardless of using mitts, multiple buckets and so on there is no such thing as a 100% safe wash, there is safer than normal however.
Also, dont forget, this guy is uber busy all the time polishing and correcting some of the finest cars in the UK and further afield.
I use those same sponges when using optimum no rinse and its far better than using a mitt with that product imo.
As for how he is drying the car, ive never really pat dryed so that looks the norm to me and I havent had any issues of badgering up cars paint as of yet ( fingers crossed )
This is Paul dalton, the man that kicked off detailing in britain for majority of folk so he knows his stuff.
The sponges are zymol and are I would say 60% softer than standard sponge, regardless of using mitts, multiple buckets and so on there is no such thing as a 100% safe wash, there is safer than normal however.
Also, dont forget, this guy is uber busy all the time polishing and correcting some of the finest cars in the UK and further afield.
I use those same sponges when using optimum no rinse and its far better than using a mitt with that product imo.
As for how he is drying the car, ive never really pat dryed so that looks the norm to me and I havent had any issues of badgering up cars paint as of yet ( fingers crossed )
A
Anonymous
Guest
I pat my car down and then drag across the body with a SP cloth to get the last bit dry above the wheel arches, and another for below the arches, and then another for each cills, and another for the wheel's, then ANOTHER for the glass sections. 
I also have wash mits for each of the above stages as well
I also have wash mits for each of the above stages as well
The pat dry method does work to some extent but tbh when using a soft towel like the uber's from serious performance and a form of drying aid/QD even dragging ( I use this term loosely as it glides imo ) your safe as houses.
You will find a lot of folk using all manner of different techniques but that seperates us and makes us unique.
Withou difference, what would a forum be for?
You will find a lot of folk using all manner of different techniques but that seperates us and makes us unique.
Withou difference, what would a forum be for?
Yeah I'm with youTaz x said:
Yeah,totally agree regards the (high quality)sponges.
Though is he not using the pressure washer lance too closely to the car bodywork and wheels??
i was always led to believe that that too much pressure/being that close to car an d tyres,etc wasn't good for the paintwork ot the integrity of the tyres/sidewalls??
a car dealer(main agent)even damaged my 1year old cars nice ,previously spotless,alloys;and managed to remove some of the finish/replacing 2 wheels under warranty thereafter!!
so,is it not bad for the car??
that aside,this guy seems to be well known in deatailing circles.
Though is he not using the pressure washer lance too closely to the car bodywork and wheels??
i was always led to believe that that too much pressure/being that close to car an d tyres,etc wasn't good for the paintwork ot the integrity of the tyres/sidewalls??
a car dealer(main agent)even damaged my 1year old cars nice ,previously spotless,alloys;and managed to remove some of the finish/replacing 2 wheels under warranty thereafter!!
so,is it not bad for the car??
that aside,this guy seems to be well known in deatailing circles.
craig3.0 said:
Correct, high pressure up close can/will remove some of the protective and lubricating oils mixed-in to the sidewall compounds. Not recommended.
More Sh##e talked about detailing than sex, football and religion combined 
IMO.
It's the ultimate anorak car hobby, but it's also great fun I've recently been using Smartdetail spray after washing and dabbing dry and it leaves an unbelievable 'wet look' to the paintwork. Great stuff
IMO. It's the ultimate anorak car hobby, but it's also great fun
I've recently been using Smartdetail spray after washing and dabbing dry and it leaves an unbelievable 'wet look' to the paintwork. Great stuff lol at the first 2 poster having a dig at Pauls wash tech.......
To be fair i doubt any pro detailers have a perfect wash technique as most will perform correction after.
With the Z4 i feel i have now as good a wash technique as i will ever have. I have a sheep skin wash mitt just for the Z4 a normal mitt for the lower sections and one for the arches, as too a super deep pile towel plus another for the less important parts. 3 buckets (1 for wheels and arches) resin vessel for filtered water to remove to chance of water marking.
I only pat dry this car as the jet black is.... cough hard to keep nice.
This sounds extreme and it is but with the time and effort i spent getting the paint perfect i dont want to swirl it by poor wash mathods only to spend hours again polishing.
I dont have the same level for the other cars, I tend to wipe with the towel not pat. lol
I know i have a problem....
Cheers
PaulN
To be fair i doubt any pro detailers have a perfect wash technique as most will perform correction after.
With the Z4 i feel i have now as good a wash technique as i will ever have. I have a sheep skin wash mitt just for the Z4 a normal mitt for the lower sections and one for the arches, as too a super deep pile towel plus another for the less important parts. 3 buckets (1 for wheels and arches) resin vessel for filtered water to remove to chance of water marking.
I only pat dry this car as the jet black is.... cough hard to keep nice.
This sounds extreme and it is but with the time and effort i spent getting the paint perfect i dont want to swirl it by poor wash mathods only to spend hours again polishing.
I dont have the same level for the other cars, I tend to wipe with the towel not pat. lol
I know i have a problem....
Cheers
PaulN
If it's his own car then I've got no problem with it, and he can pour battery acid over it for all I care.PaulN said:
The difference is that I'm sure most people on here are quite careful when washing their own cars, but if you turn your car over to a professional charging up to £10-50/hour for their services, then I assume most people will expect a high level of care. After all, we all know that the 'professional' valeters at BMW dealerships are monkeys and prefer to have them nowhere near our cars (although they still get to 'clean' your car, despite your standing instructions not to).
I'm sure there are plenty of senior medical professional who show their students the 'correct & proper' way to diagnose/treat/operate on a patient, but then go and rush through the same process themselves as they're the expert. When they don't cut corners they're great, when they do it makes the national news.
Thats the same drying towel i use very good and very quick i dry my car in the same way never pat dry.
The preasure washer on a car i am still not happy to try as i use it to clean the drive and seen what it can do removing ground in grime in a split second imagine that on my car no thanks.
The preasure washer on a car i am still not happy to try as i use it to clean the drive and seen what it can do removing ground in grime in a split second imagine that on my car no thanks.