Help me minimize damage while cleaning heavy grime

[Silver Machine]

My daily driver picks up crazy amounts of grime that loathe cleaning because I don't feel like I can remove it without abrading the paint. I'm looking for techniques to clean this off without causing damage to the paint. As soon as I put a rag to it, the rag turns dark and I seem to spend most of my time just cleaning the rags in between wiping small sections.

I've seen interesting reviews of soft brushes. The bristles seem too soft to get it completely clean but at least the bristles should be quicker to clean than a microfiber rag. Maybe a good first step.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Um...pressure washer?

What type of wash are you doing? It sounds like you are doing a waterless or (cringe) just wiping with a towel?

 

[Silver Machine]

Using a two bucket system; more or less, since I also rinse the the rag in running water after it touches the car.

Not loving the pressure washer idea for two reasons. One, I get the feeling that the stream of water driving into the grit would damage the surface (but maybe not anymore than my current efforts). And Two, I'd rather not have yet another large tool in the garage.

How much pressure does one need to clean off the heavier grime?

 

[Setec Astronomy]

So you're using a hose? Get one of those multi-function hose nozzles that has a "flat spray"; that's kind of a poor man's pressure washer. Bring it up close to the paint and see if you can blast off the loose dirt. Ideally all you will be left with is oily film. And no, doing that or using a pressure washer, while in theory could damage the surface by "driving into the grit", in practice won't do that.

The purpose of washing is to remove dirt; your wash media will pick up that dirt. Do light passes when the car is dirtiest, increase the pressure a little and use cleaned media to go back for a final pass. You should never be using a lot of pressure. One way of doing this is to do a small section until the media is dirty, then flip it over and finish that section with the clean side, then rinse the media, repeat on a new section.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

One, I get the feeling that the stream of water driving into the grit would damage the surface (but maybe not anymore than my current efforts).

That scenario is possible but what it comes down to is sooner or later you have "touch" the paint with "something".

And Two, I'd rather not have yet another large tool in the garage.

Before washing your car at home take your car to the local Coin-Op Car Wash and use their water sprayer to blast off as much dirt as you can.

How much pressure does one need to clean off the heavier grime?

Lots for heavier grime, the kind of grime you get after driving for a month in Seattle during the winter without washing your car.


I was impressed out how the bird bombs that had dried onto our cars paint literally flew off the car at the coin-op car wash. I keep our car's paint coated with Pinnacle Black Label Surface Coating.

Maybe look into coatings to help make getting the dirt off your car easier.

See the full article here,

Blasting Bird Bombs at the Coin-Op Car Wash!

 

[Don M]

In addition you might want to look into getting a foam cannon (if you don't know what that is, it's an attachment to the water hose that sprays a heavy foam of soap onto the car) This 'flooding of soap' may soften the grunge and provides extra lubrication when you wipe with your wash media - which btw should be as soft and fluffy as possible, the longer knap traps the dirt and keeps it away from the paint as you wash. That's why the second (clean water) bucket is so important, the wash media gets loaded with grit which needs to be rinsed out before touching the car again.

 

[irvsmith]

In addition you might want to look into getting a foam cannon (if you don't know what that is, it's an attachment to the water hose that sprays a heavy foam of soap onto the car) This 'flooding of soap' may soften the grunge and provides extra lubrication when you wipe with your wash media - which btw should be as soft and fluffy as possible, the longer knap traps the dirt and keeps it away from the paint as you wash. That's why the second (clean water) bucket is so important, the wash media gets loaded with grit which needs to be rinsed out before touching the car again.

I agree on this approach. Several rounds of foam application/gentle rinse would help loosen it up quite a bit and would reduce likelihood of scratching the paint. It won't eliminate the risk but should help.

 

[Silver Machine]

I didn't realize that the foam canons worked with a regular hose. For some reason, I thought they required pressure washers. I'll definitely be looking for one of these.

The coin-op pressure washer is a good idea, but I haven't seen any local ones. Something else to search for.

A water hose with nozzle will knock off some of the dirt, but I get a layer of grime that is water insoluble and holds the grit very well. I drive lots of miles in rivers of cars and trucks. My air filters turn black in less than a year.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[FocusSTguy]

I didn't realize that the foam canons worked with a regular hose. For some reason, I thought they required pressure washers. I'll definitely be looking for one of these.

The coin-op pressure washer is a good idea, but I haven't seen any local ones. Something else to search for.

A water hose with nozzle will knock off some of the dirt, but I get a layer of grime that is water insoluble and holds the grit very well. I drive lots of miles in rivers of cars and trucks. My air filters turn black in less than a year.

Thanks for the tips.

Foam guns hook directly to your water hose. Foam cannons are used with a pressure washer. The difference is a foam cannon will create more suds.