I Life in Condo - How to Quickly Wash Jet-Black Car?

Thanks for everyone's help.

You guys really helped me a lot.

Sadly I don't want to change my ways.. and I just want the car to look decent.

If I had a house with a garage, I'd baby the thing like a OCD madman.

But I dont, nor do I like to be out working on my car when my condo-neighbors are out in the parking ramp. I am just shy and I dont want to talk with people.


So I want to drive the car thru car washes.. or .. I guess I can go to a Pay-N-Spray.

But if you did go thru car washes, how would you guys do it? I mean I realize its insulting for me to ask you this :), but if you HAD to, how would you do it?

Go to a touch-less and then dry with microfiber and spray wax?
 
Thanks for everyone's help.

You guys really helped me a lot.

Sadly I don't want to change my ways.. and I just want the car to look decent.

If I had a house with a garage, I'd baby the thing like a OCD madman.

But I dont, nor do I like to be out working on my car when my condo-neighbors are out in the parking ramp. I am just shy and I dont want to talk with people.


So I want to drive the car thru car washes.. or .. I guess I can go to a Pay-N-Spray.

But if you did go thru car washes, how would you guys do it? I mean I realize its insulting for me to ask you this :), but if you HAD to, how would you do it?

Go to a touch-less and then dry with microfiber and spray wax?
Yes touchless is ideal. I do it when I'm in college. However if you go through touch car washes I suggest clear bra all over. More realistic for you (and cheaper) is to find a detailer to do some work every few months.
I like my car to be spotless and scratch free. But that's my car, and you can do whatever you want with YOUR car. Speaking of black Porsche's btw View attachment 29206
 
But if you did go thru car washes, how would you guys do it? I mean I realize its insulting for me to ask you this :), but if you HAD to, how would you do it?




"Go around it." J/J Do the below:

Go to a touch-less and then dry with microfiber and spray wax?

:dblthumb2:
 
Op, have you read about the Garry Dean washing method? When I had a townhouse, I would go to a pay n spray to clean my wheels, wheel wells, and rinse my car down. Then, I would use the Garry dean method of washing it.
 
Lots of good advice here.

I followed all the rules for the Garry Dean Method, but still experienced light straight line scratches on my paint.

I have worked on a late model Porsche 911 4S and that paint was very soft.

What has worked for me with my black car, when I don't have access to a hose is a modified rinse less wash, using mitts instead of microfiber towels in the 1st stages.

You will need:

- 1 trigger sprayer (32oz)
- 3 five gallon buckets
- 2 Gamma Seal lids
- 8 gallons tap water
- 2 Grit Guards
- 3oz Optimum No Rinse (ONR)
- 2 CarPro Merino Wool Mitts
- 1 Black Microfiber Wash Mitt
- 8 Plush Microfiber Drying Towels (16x24) one for each panel
- 2 less expensive black microfiber towels

Fill each of the buckets with 4 gallons of tap water and 1oz of ONR

Put one Grit Guard in each bucket

Put both Merino Mitts in one bucket

Put Gamma Lids on buckets

Park in a shaded area

Start with the roof and work your way down

Spray the roof generously with the spray bottle.

Take one mitt out of the bucket , do not wring it out, gently pass it over half of the roof and then the windshield and drivers window. Wring that mitt out...so the water goes on the ground. Place this mitt in bucket #2

Repeat with wash mitt #2 on the other half of the roof and then rear and passenger side windows

Now carefully dry the sections that were just washed. Flip the towel frequently, so you are continually using a fresh, clean side. Put that towel in bucket #3

Take Mitt #2 and place it on the edge of bucket #2. This will get it out if the way so you can gently rub the Merino mitt on the Grit Guard at the bottom of bucket #2. Now wring it out, so the water goes on the ground, dunk it into bucket #1 and use it to wash half the hood.

Use the same technique for the rest of the car, except the wheels. Spray each panel heavily, one wash mitt and one fresh MF towel per panel.

For the wheels use bucket #1 and the black microfiber wash mitt for the 1st two wheels and bucket #2 for the 2nd two wheels. Use the black MF towels to dry wheels. Do not ever use wheel towels on paint.


You could even go nuts and use more than two Merino mitts, which will theoretically reduce your chances if marring even further.
 
Lots of good advice here.



I followed all the rules for the Garry Dean Method, but still experienced light straight line scratches on my paint.


^This.

GD's method doesn't retain enough solution in the wash media ofter the first 2 sides of the towel are used to continuously safely wash a black car IMHO that hasn't had the dirt knocked off it.

At least a 2BM rinseless continuously replaces solution (lubrication) on the mitt.

Been there.
Done that.
 
Lots of good advice here.

I followed all the rules for the Garry Dean Method, but still experienced light straight line scratches on my paint.

I have worked on a late model Porsche 911 4S and that paint was very soft.

What has worked for me with my black car, when I don't have access to a hose is a modified rinse less wash, using mitts instead of microfiber towels in the 1st stages.

You will need:

- 1 trigger sprayer (32oz)
- 3 five gallon buckets
- 2 Gamma Seal lids
- 8 gallons tap water
- 2 Grit Guards
- 3oz Optimum No Rinse (ONR)
- 2 CarPro Merino Wool Mitts
- 1 Black Microfiber Wash Mitt
- 8 Plush Microfiber Drying Towels (16x24) one for each panel
- 2 less expensive black microfiber towels

Fill each of the buckets with 4 gallons of tap water and 1oz of ONR

Put one Grit Guard in each bucket

Put both Merino Mitts in one bucket

Put Gamma Lids on buckets

Park in a shaded area

Start with the roof and work your way down

Spray the roof generously with the spray bottle.

Take one mitt out of the bucket , do not wring it out, gently pass it over half of the roof and then the windshield and drivers window. Wring that mitt out...so the water goes on the ground. Place this mitt in bucket #2

Repeat with wash mitt #2 on the other half of the roof and then rear and passenger side windows

Now carefully dry the sections that were just washed. Flip the towel frequently, so you are continually using a fresh, clean side. Put that towel in bucket #3

Take Mitt #2 and place it on the edge of bucket #2. This will get it out if the way so you can gently rub the Merino mitt on the Grit Guard at the bottom of bucket #2. Now wring it out, so the water goes on the ground, dunk it into bucket #1 and use it to wash half the hood.

Use the same technique for the rest of the car, except the wheels. Spray each panel heavily, one wash mitt and one fresh MF towel per panel.

For the wheels use bucket #1 and the black microfiber wash mitt for the 1st two wheels and bucket #2 for the 2nd two wheels. Use the black MF towels to dry wheels. Do not ever use wheel towels on paint.


You could even go nuts and use more than two Merino mitts, which will theoretically reduce your chances if marring even further.

:iagree:
 
Too be honest, you're a bit screwed as far as maintaining a swirl free(or close to) finish with no access to a hose. Waterless washing will induce swirls, no matter how careful you are. Rinseless isn't much better, especially on a jet black car.
 
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