I know you said be careful, but pressure cleaners in the engine bay are a no-no - they cause water to be pushed where water isn't designed to be. A car is protected from water, but only really in certain ways (i.e. immersing a car isn't good) a pressure cleaner can simulate this condition - even low end models are 1400PSI or more of pressure.
Like I said you have to be careful, but It does not hurt the vehicle. As with anything you do to your car, you have to have a basic knowledge of the vehicle. We do this to all of our details, we have to b/c of all the pollen around here.
Re: Clay-bar it's a good tip to break off sections at a time. Use smaller pieces, cause if you drop it (and you will drop it), it's basically ruined.
I forgot to mention this, he is right. It is good to use smaller pieces.
Re: The rinse before drying ... lots of people spray and spray and spray thinking it'll make the car easier to dry ... WRONG. If you "sheet" water over the car - top to bottom panel at a time - it'll be 90% dry before you even start. Just try it, spray v's sheet. By sheeting I mean a thin continuous layer of water .... best done without any attachment to the hose. A well cared for and "Clean" (everyone cleans their shammy after each use don't they ??) shammy is fine.
I'm guessing what you are trying to say here is to just put a quick layer of water over the entire car, then dry it. But if you are detailing out of the sun like I stated above, then you shouldn't have to worry about the car drying so fast. But If you are washing it out in the sun then yes, just hit it with a quick layer of water so it's easier to dry. And I still would never use a shamy, because most people never wash them, and I still feel that no matter how many times you wash them, stuff is still left on there. For me a towel is always softer than a shamy, but to each his own.
Be careful which wax is used, some will actually eat plastics including headlights (it's the additive they use) - leaving a slightly cloudy appearance.
I've never heard of any such wax, and we use some pretty high end stuff at our detail department. Another thing, Our headlights are GLASS, so the wax will still be fine on those. If you could find the name of the additive that makes plastic haze then please post it so people can look out for it. But i've used almost every major name brand wax and never had this result.
If you have waited a day, it has to be dust and dirt free still (pointless if it's been sitting in the open or driven), I normally do a sealer within 4-6 hours, the wax may not be 100% hard as it will 24 hours later, but you don't risk rubbing in dirt or scratching the next day.
Once again, he got where i forgot to mention that you need to dust off the car, or do a quick rinse/wash to remove the dust. I use a California Duster which works very well, but do it however you can.
Also if it's not been said don't wash when the car is hot or in the sun - shade only and cooler days IF possible.
I did say it, but it's always good to say it again:thumbsup:
Very good points, just some things I forgot to mention b/c they are so second nature to me, so Thank you for bringing them up again.
-Cameron
