If you're looking for more detailed information on how to be better at paint correction and ceramic coating, then check out our new ONLINE training at: www.esotericdetail.com/education
😩 I have this face due to the fact growing up I found out from this informative RUclips video I was improperly washing my vehicle.😯 I like your business and RUclips videos keep the educational videos in your routine us viewers enjoys them.😊
Love these videos! Also, I enjoy the fact that you guys leave bloopers in sometimes. Nice car. Lovely home. Spectacular teacher! You make me proud to be an auto detailer. Thank you.
Awesome car Todd and love this type of video. Compared to you I’m still only na rookie. After spending 12 months carrying out the 2 bucket washing method, I always ended up with 2 buckets of discoloured water. This led me to believe that no matter what i did, dirt was still getting into my wash bucket. For the last 2 years I have been doing the wash exactly as you described, but with a new, clean mitt surface for every panel. Sure I have a few mitts to clean out at the end of the day, but I am comfortable knowing that there was no chance of my washing tool contributing to surface scratches of the car. Keep up the great work. Lloyd
I've been doing these steps since 1996 when I opened my own detailing shop in my dad's garage. Minus the foamer, we didn't have those back then. I absolutely love washing and detailing vehicles, each one is different, each one has their own story and issue. You guys definitely do a top notch job. Your videos are fun, redundant for me, but I still watch because I'm not in the industry and the vehicles these days are out of this world awesome. Thanks Todd!
Thanks for another great video Todd 🙂 My method is a little more long winded and now I'm thinking perhaps over-the-top ? I give the car and wheels a rinse with pressure washer > Snow foam the car > go around each wheel with fallout remover > wash the wheels whilst foam is working > empty, rinse and refill the wheel bucket with shampoo/water (I only have two buckets). Rinse the car and wheels well with pressure washer > re-snow foam car with lighter coating > wash car two bucket method > rinse car well again > dry car with Gyeon microsilk and Bigboi dryer. What's your thought's on this? Do you think the additional snow foam step isn't necessary? I guess it depends how heavily soiled the car is to begin with ? Great car and house by the way. Amazing. Andy
@@Esotericdetail Thank you for everything! After you dry the car would it be best to do a spray wax or p & s bead maker and then some sort of shining component? Or, would I do something like griots garage speed shine and then a spray wax? I am confused over the order of operations on how to use those products.
@@Esotericdetail this is why i trust the pros. Would you ever consider doing consulting?! I would pay for an hour phone call to have questions answered like this. There is so much I don’t know.
You are a great teacher...and really enjoyed this video. Unfortunately, my car gets washed on a dirt driveway with a garage for drying. I use a one bucket system...pre rinse-foam-wash one quarter of the car with a quality mitt. Put that mitt in an old bucket, then use a fresh mitt for each quarter of the car, plus one for the wheels. Since my car is so clean most of the time, two mitts is enough...I used to use the two bucket approach as well. liked and subscribed!
I always rinse off my towel after each panel. Might be wrong, but I believe it's better than dipping it in the bucket. I've done it with all my cars that I've done paint corrections on. No swirls! Great video. I love Gyeon Bathe.
Nobody goes into depth on safe drying as much as esoteric. Just because a car is clean doesn't mean you can't scratch it by rubbing it to death with a microfiber towel.
We all may have differing opinions on products our host friends bring to us, but I’m sure we can all agree on one. In this weird world we are all coping with; a BIG shout out to all hosts for their hard work and dedication, for holding our interest and feeding our passion. MORE than that, to the web sites and suppliers we all use, whose staff are turning in and getting the goods to our driveways & units to fulfil our anticipation - again a BIG thank you to you all whether it be manufacture, supply or distribution. Support them where you can. Ste (UK).
Totally agree about “drying aids”. Never needed something to aid drying and if I’m using a qd etc, I’d rather use on a dry car so its not diluted down.
Hi Todd! Love your methods! Very practical and smart! My cleaning method is similar to yours but with a twist. Instead of using the 2 bucket method, I use one bucket with a grit guard and use that as my rinse bucket. I then use my foam cannon to put soap on the car, 1 side at a time and then do the contact wash on that. I rinse my wash mitt per panel. What are your thoughts with this method?
Loved the video Todd. Here in the UK we detail mainly outside so can totally relate to it. Keep em coming, really enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to make the video. Regards
I like to do a foam process, let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse it off then foam again and wash with the mitt. Gives me that warm fuzzy I got that dirt and grime off better before using a wash mitt. Takes a little longer and you use a little more product but hey it's your ride. Can't wait to try your product
I totally agree with you. Not to rinse the foam off the car and to use 2 buckets to clean the sponge or mitt. Saves time and don't think I scratch the car. Time is money.
Question regarding using the foam cannon as a prewash. Seen this many time...and did it myself actually. Foam, let dwell, rinse, foam again, dwell and wash... My thinking is the first foam, dwell, rinse is definitely beneficial to remove looser dirt before the second foaming and contact wash, which in turn helps reduce the possibility of scratches. Your thought on this?
indeed, he should have done a rinse after the foam, instead of contact washing. But he got a wrapped car+ he washed it few days before so then its not really needed.
I have to wash my car outside and after I foam the car, I rinse it off. I have never used the foam as part of the actual wash process for extra lubrication. As there is always a slight breeze blowing, I do this so I can see if any contaminants have blown onto the car as I am washing. But if I wash with the foam still sitting there, I most likely would not see those contaminants and therefore, may scratch or mar the surface during the wash. That is the only thing that I do different to the steps you have shown. A great natural video of washing the car at home.
Todd another terrific video. One comment. When I was in the military we had two types of uniforms, one for show and one for work (combat). The combat uniform helped us blend in with the background so as not to be noticed. They were a wash and wear item. Then there was the dress uniform, which was magnificent, and depending on the medals you had on it showing your history, the amount of time it took to prepare for showing would vary, but each uniform had to be perfect just prior to wearing. Preparation was the key to making it shine and present itself in such a way that everyone would look and admire it as well as the person wearing it representing the host nation. I look at the dress uniform and compare that to a fine high gloss automotive paint finish that requires a significant amount of work to keep it looking that way. In my world, the comparison would've compared a camouflaged F-4 for combat to the same F-4 in Thunderbird Full Show Dressing, with its world-renowned paint job and high gloss finish for all the crowds to recognize and admire. Red, White, and Blue in all its finery on display for the world. When I see a "matt" finished paint job on a car it reminds me of the camouflaged F-4 and then I compare it to a multi-coat clear coated, high gloss finish with a depth that is as deep as the ocean on a show car (the car in my garage), then the F-4 Thunderbird's incredible paint job and finish comes to mind and all the love and care that went into to preparing that bird for the one day show. Then it starts all over again. I loved it. I see the "matt" finish as the antithesis of detailing. Whereas the dress uniform is the Thunderbird, the show car that takes care to keep it looking as great as it does. I was surprised after looking at your other cars, which were all "Thunderbirds" that I now looked at a warrior type paint finish. The reality is that when we fly in combat we are just as proud of our F-4 as we were when at an Air Show and the "Birds" were on display. But for us, being able to show the F-4 to the world in her dress blues, was magnificent.
Thanks for the feedback. I see what you're saying, but we get more attention on this satin finish car than we did on any of the others...because it's different and it's stunning. Another thing is that paint protection film is far more popular these days than high-level paint correction jobs. If customers are asking for film, and for satin transformations, then you do the smart business move and showcase what people are asking for!
@@Esotericdetail I understand, if more people are buying satin finish cars, then that is the way to go. Business is business. I can honestly say, I never thought the bulk of your business was satin finishes. I recognize the success of film for the last few decades but I have rarely seen matt finished cars. Thanks for the information.
Two bucket is cool, but I moved to a “single bucket, single use mitt” method personally. I have 10 mitts, and they all get used once per wash. this way there is ZERO chance of carrying dirt from a dirty mitt to another part of the paint. Then at the end, I use pressurized water flow to rinse all the mitts before putting them in the clothes washer with some Rags To Riches microfiber laundry soap. Just another option!
That's good if you like to do that much laundry, however please keep this in mind...as soon as you do your first pass on your fresh mitt, you have 100% the same risk of marring the finish as the 2-bucket method. While I would love to sell 10 wash mitts to everybody, it's just not something many people are interested in doing. If we were seeing issues with marring while using the 2-bucket method (properly) after washing thousands of cars, we would have tried something else.
Having followed this guide for the first time yesterday, I have one suggestion to add: ear plugs if you're using the big boi. My ears were ringing for hours after I finished. In particular, drying around the lug nuts on the wheels made a very loud noise.
I thought I only washed that way by going front to back on top surfaces and up / down on vertical surfaces. lol you used that leaking pressure washer for the entire wash, would've drove me crazy!
Hi Todd, Could you explain the difference between: 1. Foaming the car, dwell time and rinsing off 2. Foaming the car and using that foam with a sponge to wash the car as you do here? Is there a time when you'd do one over the other? Usually I see videos of foam being left to sit and then rinsed off but don't know why these two methods exist. What situations should I look out for, we have coated and non coated cars in household. Many thanks
If a car is exceptionally dirty, you may want to foam it, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off. But you'll then foam it again and wash as I do in this video.
I’m curious to know the reason to the madness of going up and down on the vertical panels lol. Also, you diluted 1 to 5 in the foam cannon, is there a more economical dilution that still works?
If you do get any light marring when washing, it's harder to detect vertical than it is horizontal. So if you're walking past the car and it has a horizontal light scratch, you'll see it the entire way! You could try less of a dilution, however we have found that ratio to give us the best overall combination of cleaning, lubricity, and economy.
If the foam from the cannon is meant to lift dirt, why don’t you rinse that off before starting your contact wash ? Wouldn’t leaving it on just grind it into the paint ?
Are you using a 15 degree nozzle for rinsing? I typically use the 40 degree white MTM nozzle but am curious of what nozzle is the best for rinsing. I thought a 15 degree was too aggressive, but it can't be if that's what you're using! BTW - the Gyeon silk dryer is by far the best drying towel I've ever used!
Yes, I have the 15 on my setup. I see it more of a personal preference than anything else. I / we also just use one nozzle and don't change out relative to what process we are working on. Glad that you like the Silk Dryer as much as we do!
Wouldn’t it be more secure to prevent any scratches if you washed down the foam with pressure washer first and THEN use the wash mitt for hand washing? If the car is somewhat dirty you’ll be spreading all that loose dirt and bugs on the paint surfaces when it could actually be easily removed without any scratching beforehand?
Good video, so you started using a microfiber mit just after snow foam, every other video or medium has always snow foamed on it's own , then used a shampoo to then use a mit with, so wondering why you didn't do this?
This wild car!☝😎 It's like a concept rendering from a magazine but in real life!Great series,really like the tip about letting the front bumper until last.Any upcoming "What's in the shop?"episodes?Keep em rolling!✌
Thank you. We don't have any of those on the books, but with some of the crazy cars we've got coming in the next month or two, I can see us doing another one. Stay tuned...
Hi Todd, thanks for another interesting video. I am curious as to the weather conditions you were working under. I cleaned my car yesterday here in Australia, the temperature was about 32 Celsius (90f), clear skies, no shade and the panels were hot. Although I try to keep the foam on the car for about 5 minutes, any longer and it dries to the surface, I have to rinse off before a 2 bucket hand wash stage. Water spotting is an issue for me, so I do use a drying aid spray after the car is dried, to remove any unsightly water spots. Love your videos, keep em coming. Paul.
We have to deal with that in the shop as well during the summer. The key is to be quick, and also to use deionized or RO water. Without it, there's no way we would do it in direct sunlight during the heat of the summer.
If the soft top is actually "dirty", then you'd want a cleaner designed specifically for that. On mine, I have only just rinsed it off the entire time I have owned the car, and have yet to see a need for deep cleaning.
I find it interesting that you prefer to wipe with up and down patterns along the door panels rather than side to side from top to bottom. Wouldn't you find yourself bringing up debris and contaminants from the lower portion of the door to the top by doing this? I prefer side to side from top to bottom, that way if your sponge/mitt does pick something up it stays on the lower section no matter what. Also, if you're running the two bucket method - wouldn't it be best after rinsing to squeeze the mitt from outside the bucket and onto the pavement than just squeezing it back into the rinse bucket? By doing this the water will be less dirty over the duration of rinsing it during your wash. Yes, there's a grit guard but there will always be contaminants floating as soon as you agitate the water. Just two things I noticed - let me know your thoughts!
Another waste of time with 2 buckets. I rinse cleaning pad or sponge with my hose on shower setting if the car is that dirty. Wash the car in sections rather then spraying the whole car with soap and then hand washing. Especially when in part sun. What happened to the simple and care full way to wash a car. I think its just people being lazy and like playing with new cool toys that aren't necessary. Think about it people? Stop wasting your money. Use power washers what they are meant for. Common sense!
Thank you so much, this is excellent and how I will wash my car from now on! Apologies if I missed it, when you start, both buckets have just water in them? ie, no soap in the wash bucket? Also, any thoughts around water temp? Thank you!
I can see your neighbor now. Grabbing a bucket, filling it with water and adding dish soap. Throwing in a scrub brush. Standing in the driveway with their garden hose ready to clean their car up all nice and shiny........ and then here comes Todd. Pulling in with his sparkling pristine showroom quality vehicle. If I was your neighbor I would just hang my head in shame and go back inside. LOL
Todd...great video as always. Can you take a moment to share with us the different PW spray nozzle tips and their use? In the video you are using a yellow tip nozzle vs say white...thank you!
I just found your channel. Great video! I just got a Mustang convertible. Can you do (or have you done) a video about foam washing at home a vehicle with the cloth top - tips & tricks or Do's and Don'ts ? I noticed you didn't discuss the cloth top and I have heard that foaming is not good for them.
Isn't it somewhat risky to wash with the foam out of the cannon? I'd imagine some of the grit and dirt might still be on the surface. It's akin to using soapy water without a grit guard?
Not at all. IF you had an extremely dirty car, then you may wish to pre-soak, rinse, then foam again to wash. Even that though, there will still be stuff on the surface.
So I guess I’ve been doing this wrong all along. I rinse the car- foam it. Let it dwell for a few. Rinse the foam off and proceed to the two bucket method. So I shouldn’t rinse the foam off and proceed right to the wash with the foam on the surface ??
If it's really dirty, then you can rinse the foam after it dwells a bit, then I'd foam it again and proceed. But if it's not that dirty, rinse, foam, then proceed with washing.
Thanks. It didn't pick up on audio much, but there were plenty of kids outside playing and neighborhood dogs barking while we were filming. It's usually a very quiet little neighborhood, but they were out in full force on this day!
What I would like to see if it’s possible, any part of a car but let’s say for this instance the Hood. I would like to see one side of the hood get rinse, foam to let it dwell and then rinse again, then The contact wise with the two bucket method. The other side of the hood should be rinsed, Foam for a contact wash. The purpose of this is to see if letting the Foam dwell help reduce Marring for the contact washers. Not sure if you have enough time to do it once a week to the hood to see a week by week or month by month difference on each side of the hood
Between washes I've been wiping my classic car down with a microfiber towel & a quick detailer product after a short drive before putting the car cover back on. I can go months between washes since I typically drive short distances in the sunshine of California & never in bad weather. Is this a problem or should I be washing the car more frequently? Is the PolishAngel cosmic spritz a better product to use based on the routine described above vs the quick detailer product I'm using?
Hey Todd! Thanks for the great video, I just discovered your channel and it answered a lot of questions marks I had in mind. I do have a few questions though. 1: After I foamed the car, can I rince and then reapply soap a second time or am I wasting my time/soap doing this? I usually go by: Rince, foam, rince foam, 2 buckets, rince, dry. 2: You're mentionning keeping front bumper for last but if I want to use a tar/bugs remover, when would be the best time to use it? Thanks!
You only need to foam twice if the car is exceptionally dirty. As for bug remover, wait until then end after the front end has had plenty of dwell time in water, soap, etc.
I know this is an old video but it’s actually recommended to NOT pre rinse unless there’s areas with excess dirt and debris that’s bad (mud) because it’s unnecessary.
Great video, but could you explain something to me. I'm confused about putting car shampoo in a foam cannon vs. a dedicated foam solution, .e.g Gyeon Bathe vs Foam. Does putting car shampoo in the cannon do the same thing and when would I need to use the dedicated foam solution? My car is freshly coated in CSL for reference so Im just wondering whether I need to buy both products or just the one and when to use which! Many thanks, I enjoy watching these type of videos, I hope there will be more detailing from home ones from yourselves they are great and feel a little more 'real world' to me rather than in a fancy detailing centre.
@@Esotericdetail Great, thank you very much, I didn't know the dedicated foams were that much stronger! Will you be making more detailing from home videos?
It was cloudy during this video. I would like to see how you would handle the sun. I really don’t have an option but to wash and dry in the sun. I have to work much faster to avoid it drying before going to next step.
We get alot of pollen here where I live. What's the best method/product for getting that off your paint. It usually is still there after foaming, washing phase and down want to add alot of pressure when washing to get them off. Any tips/tricks is much appreciated.
@Esoteric Wanted to query if there was a reason you recommend Bathe over Bathe Essence and why? I can't understand why the former is more commonly used when the latter is cheaper through its lower concentrations. Is there something else which makes you recommend the regular bathe? Many thanks
Hello Todd, I have a PPF and ceramic coating applied to my vehicle (Xpel and Xpel Fusion). I was always under the impression that my coating provided a nonstick barrier to my PPF. So far anything I found on my car just wiped right off. Am I wrong to think the Cosmic Spritz would do the same thing during its next maintenance wash? Thank you.
It's not a non-stick barrier by any means, but rather "stuff" doesn't stick to it nearly as easy. This "self-cleaning" characteristic wears down over time, and use of Cosmic Spritz helps to restore this aspect, as well as acting to protect the coating.
Ehh, I wouldn’t say multiple mitts and towels is a crutch at all. It saves time for me personally. More sides to use on a towel is better than only have two sides with a wash mitt (or one side with this sponge) before walking back to the rinse bucket, agitate against the grit guard, then soap up the mitt/sponge again. With a mitt or sponge you have to constantly worry about them filling up with contaminants where with a towel you just flip it to a new side. I still use both methods, but I find the multiple towel method is faster for more maintained cars where I’ll use the 2-bucket for dirtier cars since I get more scrubbing power with a mitt.
I think you can agree that most people who use that method do it as a crutch because they can't figure out the safe 2-bucket system, or they simply took the advice because "some guy said you have to do it this way". If it saves YOU time, then that's great. Can't say I've ever heard another person promote it as a way to save time. Many people want to argue that it's the only safe way, we are here to present it as an incredibly safe way to do it based off of thousands of cars of real world results.
I’ve always done a foam-rinse-foam to start off on coated vehicles. Otherwise, if you rinse before foam, the foam has a harder time grabbing onto the slick surface of the coated vehicle.
Hey Todd! As always, amazing content, but I got a question for you. Do you have any tips/hints, or even, any skills when it's about washing Motorcycles? I used to do it as a hobby, couple of friends kept telling me to go pro so I'm doing it now. Been trying to find some specialized content on the internet but haven't found any arround your skill level when it's about motorcycles. If you don't do it yourself but know someone who's a pro when it comes to bikes, can you recommend them to me? Their instagram or youtube channel, anything. Thank you!
I got most of my detailing "training" on motorcycles, since I worked in the industry for 22 years and always had the best looking bikes out there. Perhaps some day I should do a video(s) on motorcycle detailing.
@@Esotericdetail Please do! I do filter the information I gather arround about cars and select what can be done and what sould or shouldn't be done on motorcycle, but there always have doubts. Exposed engines, chromes, under seat electronics... I do my best, but always wonder what's correct haha. I'd love to learn about motorcycles with you!
I've had convertibles for over 40 years. Currently have 2 of them and I always wash the top and car at the same time using the same shampoo, wash mitt and bucket. I never have had a problem and the tops always look brand new. Twice a year I use a fabric protector and every so often I use a lint roller. I dont believe you need a special cleaner or brush to keep a top looking good.
If you're looking for more detailed information on how to be better at paint correction and ceramic coating, then check out our new ONLINE training at: www.esotericdetail.com/education
That blue satin finish is gorgeous 💙
Thank you!
Yes it is something special about matte paint 👍🏼
I needed this video 10 years ago. I thought I knew how to wash my car, boy was I wrong!
😩 I have this face due to the fact growing up I found out from this informative RUclips video I was improperly washing my vehicle.😯 I like your business and RUclips videos keep the educational videos in your routine us viewers enjoys them.😊
Thanks for washing!
Love these videos! Also, I enjoy the fact that you guys leave bloopers in sometimes. Nice car. Lovely home. Spectacular teacher! You make me proud to be an auto detailer. Thank you.
Thank you kindly!
Todd is the teacher we've never had, but always wanted.
Thank you kindly!
Awesome car Todd and love this type of video. Compared to you I’m still only na rookie. After spending 12 months carrying out the 2 bucket washing method, I always ended up with 2 buckets of discoloured water. This led me to believe that no matter what i did, dirt was still getting into my wash bucket. For the last 2 years I have been doing the wash exactly as you described, but with a new, clean mitt surface for every panel. Sure I have a few mitts to clean out at the end of the day, but I am comfortable knowing that there was no chance of my washing tool contributing to surface scratches of the car. Keep up the great work. Lloyd
Man oh man is the car hydrophobic. Purchasing a foam cannon has to be one of the most satisfying parts of washing.
Great informative video.
Thank you, and yes it is thanks to the unbeatable Cosmic Spritz from POLISHANGEL!
As always thank you so much for another fun and educational video Todd! Enjoy your dinner😊
I've been doing these steps since 1996 when I opened my own detailing shop in my dad's garage. Minus the foamer, we didn't have those back then. I absolutely love washing and detailing vehicles, each one is different, each one has their own story and issue. You guys definitely do a top notch job. Your videos are fun, redundant for me, but I still watch because I'm not in the industry and the vehicles these days are out of this world awesome. Thanks Todd!
I really like these videos! You do a great job making it easy to listen to! It’s a chore on most of the other sites!
Thank you John...glad you like them!
Thanks for another great video Todd 🙂 My method is a little more long winded and now I'm thinking perhaps over-the-top ? I give the car and wheels a rinse with pressure washer > Snow foam the car > go around each wheel with fallout remover > wash the wheels whilst foam is working > empty, rinse and refill the wheel bucket with shampoo/water (I only have two buckets). Rinse the car and wheels well with pressure washer > re-snow foam car with lighter coating > wash car two bucket method > rinse car well again > dry car with Gyeon microsilk and Bigboi dryer. What's your thought's on this? Do you think the additional snow foam step isn't necessary? I guess it depends how heavily soiled the car is to begin with ? Great car and house by the way. Amazing. Andy
Thank you. I'll only foam the car twice if it's really dirty, otherwise, the rinse should be getting any heavier bits of debris off of the surface.
This channel is a gold mine! I have learned so much. Thank you. Looking forward to starting my car detailing business!
Thank you, and glad to hear that you're getting a lot of useful information from the channel!
@@Esotericdetail Thank you for everything! After you dry the car would it be best to do a spray wax or p & s bead maker and then some sort of shining component? Or, would I do something like griots garage speed shine and then a spray wax? I am confused over the order of operations on how to use those products.
@@JeLifeCoach No need to use multiple products. Find a good product, and use just that.
@@Esotericdetail this is why i trust the pros. Would you ever consider doing consulting?! I would pay for an hour phone call to have questions answered like this. There is so much I don’t know.
You are a great teacher...and really enjoyed this video. Unfortunately, my car gets washed on a dirt driveway with a garage for drying. I use a one bucket system...pre rinse-foam-wash one quarter of the car with a quality mitt. Put that mitt in an old bucket, then use a fresh mitt for each quarter of the car, plus one for the wheels. Since my car is so clean most of the time, two mitts is enough...I used to use the two bucket approach as well. liked and subscribed!
I always rinse off my towel after each panel. Might be wrong, but I believe it's better than dipping it in the bucket. I've done it with all my cars that I've done paint corrections on. No swirls! Great video. I love Gyeon Bathe.
I’ve done that too. Works better in my opinion
Presentation is first class as always.
Thank you!
Nobody goes into depth on safe drying as much as esoteric. Just because a car is clean doesn't mean you can't scratch it by rubbing it to death with a microfiber towel.
Well said!
We all may have differing opinions on products our host friends bring to us, but I’m sure we can all agree on one. In this weird world we are all coping with; a BIG shout out to all hosts for their hard work and dedication, for holding our interest and feeding our passion. MORE than that, to the web sites and suppliers we all use, whose staff are turning in and getting the goods to our driveways & units to fulfil our anticipation - again a BIG thank you to you all whether it be manufacture, supply or distribution. Support them where you can. Ste (UK).
Thank you for the positivity!
Totally agree about “drying aids”. Never needed something to aid drying and if I’m using a qd etc, I’d rather use on a dry car so its not diluted down.
Hi Todd! Love your methods! Very practical and smart! My cleaning method is similar to yours but with a twist. Instead of using the 2 bucket method, I use one bucket with a grit guard and use that as my rinse bucket. I then use my foam cannon to put soap on the car, 1 side at a time and then do the contact wash on that. I rinse my wash mitt per panel. What are your thoughts with this method?
That can work, but I feel that takes more time.
Loved the video Todd. Here in the UK we detail mainly outside so can totally relate to it. Keep em coming, really enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to make the video. Regards
Thanks for watching, and for your participation!
Really enjoy these! Thank you for taking the time. Wouldn't going up and down be bringing dirt from the lower section up?
Theory. In doing it this way professionally on thousands of cars for about 14 years, we've never had an issue with that.
Thanks Todd....I always enjoy and learn from all your videos....I appreciate the information that you share through your videos.
Thank you kindly James!
I like to do a foam process, let it sit for 10 minutes, rinse it off then foam again and wash with the mitt.
Gives me that warm fuzzy I got that dirt and grime off better before using a wash mitt. Takes a little longer and you use a little more product but hey it's your ride. Can't wait to try your product
I totally agree with you. Not to rinse the foam off the car and to use 2 buckets to clean the sponge or mitt. Saves time and don't think I scratch the car. Time is money.
Love the new video work. Your video guy is good. I’d love to learn what camera/settings you use.
Went to school with him. Very good guy 💪
Question regarding using the foam cannon as a prewash. Seen this many time...and did it myself actually. Foam, let dwell, rinse, foam again, dwell and wash...
My thinking is the first foam, dwell, rinse is definitely beneficial to remove looser dirt before the second foaming and contact wash, which in turn helps reduce the possibility of scratches.
Your thought on this?
indeed, he should have done a rinse after the foam, instead of contact washing. But he got a wrapped car+ he washed it few days before so then its not really needed.
IF it's exceptionally dirty, then yes. But it's not necessary. This is from experience doing thousands of cars...not based off of theory.
@@hendrikjan9116 Only required in extreme conditions.
@@Esotericdetail 100k car qualifies as an extreme condition lmfa good video 👍
I have to wash my car outside and after I foam the car, I rinse it off. I have never used the foam as part of the actual wash process for extra lubrication. As there is always a slight breeze blowing, I do this so I can see if any contaminants have blown onto the car as I am washing. But if I wash with the foam still sitting there, I most likely would not see those contaminants and therefore, may scratch or mar the surface during the wash. That is the only thing that I do different to the steps you have shown. A great natural video of washing the car at home.
Another great video, thank you. I love the FROM HOME series of videos. You are a great teacher.
Thank you kindly, and thanks for watching!
Loved the change up Todd. Thanks for the video!
Glad you liked it...thanks!
Todd another terrific video. One comment. When I was in the military we had two types of uniforms, one for show and one for work (combat). The combat uniform helped us blend in with the background so as not to be noticed. They were a wash and wear item. Then there was the dress uniform, which was magnificent, and depending on the medals you had on it showing your history, the amount of time it took to prepare for showing would vary, but each uniform had to be perfect just prior to wearing. Preparation was the key to making it shine and present itself in such a way that everyone would look and admire it as well as the person wearing it representing the host nation. I look at the dress uniform and compare that to a fine high gloss automotive paint finish that requires a significant amount of work to keep it looking that way. In my world, the comparison would've compared a camouflaged F-4 for combat to the same F-4 in Thunderbird Full Show Dressing, with its world-renowned paint job and high gloss finish for all the crowds to recognize and admire. Red, White, and Blue in all its finery on display for the world. When I see a "matt" finished paint job on a car it reminds me of the camouflaged F-4 and then I compare it to a multi-coat clear coated, high gloss finish with a depth that is as deep as the ocean on a show car (the car in my garage), then the F-4 Thunderbird's incredible paint job and finish comes to mind and all the love and care that went into to preparing that bird for the one day show. Then it starts all over again. I loved it. I see the "matt" finish as the antithesis of detailing. Whereas the dress uniform is the Thunderbird, the show car that takes care to keep it looking as great as it does. I was surprised after looking at your other cars, which were all "Thunderbirds" that I now looked at a warrior type paint finish. The reality is that when we fly in combat we are just as proud of our F-4 as we were when at an Air Show and the "Birds" were on display. But for us, being able to show the F-4 to the world in her dress blues, was magnificent.
Thanks for the feedback. I see what you're saying, but we get more attention on this satin finish car than we did on any of the others...because it's different and it's stunning. Another thing is that paint protection film is far more popular these days than high-level paint correction jobs. If customers are asking for film, and for satin transformations, then you do the smart business move and showcase what people are asking for!
@@Esotericdetail I understand, if more people are buying satin finish cars, then that is the way to go. Business is business. I can honestly say, I never thought the bulk of your business was satin finishes. I recognize the success of film for the last few decades but I have rarely seen matt finished cars. Thanks for the information.
Congrats on the new car!
Thanks...love this car! The ZR1 wasn't for sale, but somebody came along and made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
Do you don’t foam ..rinse…foam and contact wash?
Also, I don’t have a pressure washer. Can I use the swift jet foam sprayer?
Thanks!
Great content, nice garage, beautiful vehicle, and I love seeing the Karcher cube. Thank you!
Thank you!
Two bucket is cool, but I moved to a “single bucket, single use mitt” method personally. I have 10 mitts, and they all get used once per wash. this way there is ZERO chance of carrying dirt from a dirty mitt to another part of the paint. Then at the end, I use pressurized water flow to rinse all the mitts before putting them in the clothes washer with some Rags To Riches microfiber laundry soap. Just another option!
That's good if you like to do that much laundry, however please keep this in mind...as soon as you do your first pass on your fresh mitt, you have 100% the same risk of marring the finish as the 2-bucket method. While I would love to sell 10 wash mitts to everybody, it's just not something many people are interested in doing. If we were seeing issues with marring while using the 2-bucket method (properly) after washing thousands of cars, we would have tried something else.
@@EsotericdetailAnd you keep diluting down the car wash soap by dipping your mitt from the rinse bucket into the wash bucket.
@@bryangallardo1071 In thousands of cars washed, I've never found that my wash wash less effective towards the end because it was overly diluted.
Having followed this guide for the first time yesterday, I have one suggestion to add: ear plugs if you're using the big boi. My ears were ringing for hours after I finished. In particular, drying around the lug nuts on the wheels made a very loud noise.
The machine by itself isn't very loud, but as the air whistles around those tight areas, that in itself does get loud.
I thought I only washed that way by going front to back on top surfaces and up / down on vertical surfaces. lol you used that leaking pressure washer for the entire wash, would've drove me crazy!
Part of washing a car is getting wet...
Hi Todd,
Could you explain the difference between:
1. Foaming the car, dwell time and rinsing off
2. Foaming the car and using that foam with a sponge to wash the car as you do here?
Is there a time when you'd do one over the other? Usually I see videos of foam being left to sit and then rinsed off but don't know why these two methods exist. What situations should I look out for, we have coated and non coated cars in household.
Many thanks
If a car is exceptionally dirty, you may want to foam it, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it off. But you'll then foam it again and wash as I do in this video.
I’m curious to know the reason to the madness of going up and down on the vertical panels lol. Also, you diluted 1 to 5 in the foam cannon, is there a more economical dilution that still works?
If you do get any light marring when washing, it's harder to detect vertical than it is horizontal. So if you're walking past the car and it has a horizontal light scratch, you'll see it the entire way! You could try less of a dilution, however we have found that ratio to give us the best overall combination of cleaning, lubricity, and economy.
Great stuff dude!
If the foam from the cannon is meant to lift dirt, why don’t you rinse that off before starting your contact wash ? Wouldn’t leaving it on just grind it into the paint ?
Will I need to apply primer spritz to my new Mercedes before applying the cosmic spritz Thank you
Love this series of videos! Great job, thanks!👍😀
Thanks, and glad you're enjoying them.
love the production quality! as usual!!
Thank you. Wes here has been making our videos for years now, and he is very good at what he does.
Neighbors dog really likes you… great video
Are you using a 15 degree nozzle for rinsing? I typically use the 40 degree white MTM nozzle but am curious of what nozzle is the best for rinsing. I thought a 15 degree was too aggressive, but it can't be if that's what you're using! BTW - the Gyeon silk dryer is by far the best drying towel I've ever used!
Yes, I have the 15 on my setup. I see it more of a personal preference than anything else. I / we also just use one nozzle and don't change out relative to what process we are working on. Glad that you like the Silk Dryer as much as we do!
Wouldn’t it be more secure to prevent any scratches if you washed down the foam with pressure washer first and THEN use the wash mitt for hand washing? If the car is somewhat dirty you’ll be spreading all that loose dirt and bugs on the paint surfaces when it could actually be easily removed without any scratching beforehand?
Only needed on an exceptionally dirty car...
Great, helpful video. Is it OK to only use the DI water system for the final rinse, or should it be used for the entire process? Thanks!
Good video, so you started using a microfiber mit just after snow foam, every other video or medium has always snow foamed on it's own , then used a shampoo to then use a mit with, so wondering why you didn't do this?
This wild car!☝😎 It's like a concept rendering from a magazine but in real life!Great series,really like the tip about letting the front bumper until last.Any upcoming "What's in the shop?"episodes?Keep em rolling!✌
Thank you. We don't have any of those on the books, but with some of the crazy cars we've got coming in the next month or two, I can see us doing another one. Stay tuned...
Hi Todd, thanks for another interesting video. I am curious as to the weather conditions you were working under.
I cleaned my car yesterday here in Australia, the temperature was about 32 Celsius (90f), clear skies, no shade and the panels were hot. Although I try to keep the foam on the car for about 5 minutes, any longer and it dries to the surface, I have to rinse off before a 2 bucket hand wash stage. Water spotting is an issue for me, so I do use a drying aid spray after the car is dried, to remove any unsightly water spots.
Love your videos, keep em coming. Paul.
We have to deal with that in the shop as well during the summer. The key is to be quick, and also to use deionized or RO water. Without it, there's no way we would do it in direct sunlight during the heat of the summer.
I enjoyed your process, thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
You did not wash the convertible top, does it need a different approach?
If the soft top is actually "dirty", then you'd want a cleaner designed specifically for that. On mine, I have only just rinsed it off the entire time I have owned the car, and have yet to see a need for deep cleaning.
I find it interesting that you prefer to wipe with up and down patterns along the door panels rather than side to side from top to bottom. Wouldn't you find yourself bringing up debris and contaminants from the lower portion of the door to the top by doing this? I prefer side to side from top to bottom, that way if your sponge/mitt does pick something up it stays on the lower section no matter what. Also, if you're running the two bucket method - wouldn't it be best after rinsing to squeeze the mitt from outside the bucket and onto the pavement than just squeezing it back into the rinse bucket? By doing this the water will be less dirty over the duration of rinsing it during your wash. Yes, there's a grit guard but there will always be contaminants floating as soon as you agitate the water. Just two things I noticed - let me know your thoughts!
Don't over-think it! :). We've washed literally thousands of cars with this method with zero issues.
@@Esotericdetail I'll accept that answer haha. Thanks!
Another waste of time with 2 buckets. I rinse cleaning pad or sponge with my hose on shower setting if the car is that dirty. Wash the car in sections rather then spraying the whole car with soap and then hand washing. Especially when in part sun. What happened to the simple and care full way to wash a car. I think its just people being lazy and like playing with new cool toys that aren't necessary. Think about it people? Stop wasting your money. Use power washers what they are meant for. Common sense!
Thank you so much, this is excellent and how I will wash my car from now on! Apologies if I missed it, when you start, both buckets have just water in them? ie, no soap in the wash bucket? Also, any thoughts around water temp? Thank you!
Thank you. Your wash bucket has soap, and your rinse bucket is just clean water. We simply use cold water unless washing when it's cold out!
I can see your neighbor now. Grabbing a bucket, filling it with water and adding dish soap. Throwing in a scrub brush. Standing in the driveway with their garden hose ready to clean their car up all nice and shiny........ and then here comes Todd. Pulling in with his sparkling pristine showroom quality vehicle. If I was your neighbor I would just hang my head in shame and go back inside. LOL
Todd...great video as always. Can you take a moment to share with us the different PW spray nozzle tips and their use? In the video you are using a yellow tip nozzle vs say white...thank you!
Just different patterns of spray, which really comes down to personal preference.
Great video. With the Karcher what nozzle orifice size did you use? Also, did you need the Karcher adapter for quick connect? Thank you.
Not fair, you had like perfect weather for washing . I have to fight sun, winds and stuff 🤣
I have the same pressure washer and just got my MTM foamer and snub nose today, was wondering where I can get the adapter for the hose to snub nose?
I just found your channel. Great video! I just got a Mustang convertible. Can you do (or have you done) a video about foam washing at home a vehicle with the cloth top - tips & tricks or Do's and Don'ts ? I noticed you didn't discuss the cloth top and I have heard that foaming is not good for them.
No specific videos at this point. There's no problem with foaming of it...did it all the time on my car with zero issues.
Todd after all these years do you still enjoy washing and protecting cars
Absolutely!
Isn't it somewhat risky to wash with the foam out of the cannon? I'd imagine some of the grit and dirt might still be on the surface. It's akin to using soapy water without a grit guard?
Not at all. IF you had an extremely dirty car, then you may wish to pre-soak, rinse, then foam again to wash. Even that though, there will still be stuff on the surface.
Great washing information! Must have the Esoteric Black Sponge!!!!!
Thank you...and order 2 of them! :)
Thanks for the video not sure why you didn't have the wheel video with this one. Would of been nice to have the whole wash progression together
We have that as a separate video. Make the videos too long, and people don't watch...
So I guess I’ve been doing this wrong all along. I rinse the car- foam it. Let it dwell for a few. Rinse the foam off and proceed to the two bucket method. So I shouldn’t rinse the foam off and proceed right to the wash with the foam on the surface ??
If it's really dirty, then you can rinse the foam after it dwells a bit, then I'd foam it again and proceed. But if it's not that dirty, rinse, foam, then proceed with washing.
What a beautiful machine.
Thank you. I'm biased, but I have to agree! :)
well done todd! luv the dog & kids 😀👻😂
Thanks. It didn't pick up on audio much, but there were plenty of kids outside playing and neighborhood dogs barking while we were filming. It's usually a very quiet little neighborhood, but they were out in full force on this day!
The amount of times he said marring the finish lmao but still was a great video thx
Gotta drill the main point so that people really understand!
What I would like to see if it’s possible, any part of a car but let’s say for this instance the Hood. I would like to see one side of the hood get rinse, foam to let it dwell and then rinse again, then The contact wise with the two bucket method. The other side of the hood should be rinsed, Foam for a contact wash. The purpose of this is to see if letting the Foam dwell help reduce Marring for the contact washers. Not sure if you have enough time to do it once a week to the hood to see a week by week or month by month difference on each side of the hood
Sounds like a good test for you to do at home!
Great video sir make more like this one!👍🏼
Thank you, and will do!
What do you do to keep your car looking clean between washes…Lets say the 1 to 3 days after the wash?
You don't. ruclips.net/video/fA6w5mlGZrI/видео.html
Are you concerned with Bathe drying on surface in the sun if having DI water?
Between washes I've been wiping my classic car down with a microfiber towel & a quick detailer product after a short drive before putting the car cover back on. I can go months between washes since I typically drive short distances in the sunshine of California & never in bad weather. Is this a problem or should I be washing the car more frequently? Is the PolishAngel cosmic spritz a better product to use based on the routine described above vs the quick detailer product I'm using?
This should answer your question: ruclips.net/video/fA6w5mlGZrI/видео.html
Hey Todd! Thanks for the great video, I just discovered your channel and it answered a lot of questions marks I had in mind.
I do have a few questions though.
1: After I foamed the car, can I rince and then reapply soap a second time or am I wasting my time/soap doing this? I usually go by: Rince, foam, rince foam, 2 buckets, rince, dry.
2: You're mentionning keeping front bumper for last but if I want to use a tar/bugs remover, when would be the best time to use it?
Thanks!
You only need to foam twice if the car is exceptionally dirty. As for bug remover, wait until then end after the front end has had plenty of dwell time in water, soap, etc.
@@Esotericdetail Perfect thank you so much!
I know this is an old video but it’s actually recommended to NOT pre rinse unless there’s areas with excess dirt and debris that’s bad (mud) because it’s unnecessary.
Great video, but could you explain something to me. I'm confused about putting car shampoo in a foam cannon vs. a dedicated foam solution, .e.g Gyeon Bathe vs Foam. Does putting car shampoo in the cannon do the same thing and when would I need to use the dedicated foam solution?
My car is freshly coated in CSL for reference so Im just wondering whether I need to buy both products or just the one and when to use which!
Many thanks, I enjoy watching these type of videos, I hope there will be more detailing from home ones from yourselves they are great and feel a little more 'real world' to me rather than in a fancy detailing centre.
All you need is one shampoo! Unless you're trying to strip a surface, or do some seriously heavy cleaning, you don't need to use Gyeon Foam.
@@Esotericdetail Great, thank you very much, I didn't know the dedicated foams were that much stronger!
Will you be making more detailing from home videos?
@@AM4N18 Most likely, but they'll need to wait for spring!
@@Esotericdetail Ive been looking for this answer for a very long time! thank you!
Do you reccomend towel drying without a drying aid?
"Drying aides" are a thing of the past now that we have much better towels, ceramic coatings, etc.
What Lance do you use Todd. Is this the standard Karcher one? Thanks
Tysm! Great video Todd!
Great video, Todd
Thanks, Anthony!
It was cloudy during this video. I would like to see how you would handle the sun. I really don’t have an option but to wash and dry in the sun. I have to work much faster to avoid it drying before going to next step.
Exact same process, only faster. Washing in the sun really makes it mandatory to have a DI water system.
would've loved to see how you keep that convertible top clean. otherwise, great vid!
Thanks...that's a topic for another video.
Snow foam needs to be jet washed off before bucket method imo! Granted the car looks clean but that is a safer way to wash !
Only necessary for really dirty cars...
We get alot of pollen here where I live. What's the best method/product for getting that off your paint. It usually is still there after foaming, washing phase and down want to add alot of pressure when washing to get them off. Any tips/tricks is much appreciated.
True pollen should wash away easily with this method. If you're dealing with spores, that can be a different story...
The satin blue looks good as does beading what product is sitting on paint
Thank you. POLISHANGEL Cosmic Spritz!
@Esoteric Wanted to query if there was a reason you recommend Bathe over Bathe Essence and why? I can't understand why the former is more commonly used when the latter is cheaper through its lower concentrations. Is there something else which makes you recommend the regular bathe? Many thanks
Bathe works much better in a foam cannon!
@@Esotericdetail Otherwise, no difference?
Hello Todd, I have a PPF and ceramic coating applied to my vehicle (Xpel and Xpel Fusion). I was always under the impression that my coating provided a nonstick barrier to my PPF. So far anything I found on my car just wiped right off. Am I wrong to think the Cosmic Spritz would do the same thing during its next maintenance wash? Thank you.
It's not a non-stick barrier by any means, but rather "stuff" doesn't stick to it nearly as easy. This "self-cleaning" characteristic wears down over time, and use of Cosmic Spritz helps to restore this aspect, as well as acting to protect the coating.
Ehh, I wouldn’t say multiple mitts and towels is a crutch at all. It saves time for me personally. More sides to use on a towel is better than only have two sides with a wash mitt (or one side with this sponge) before walking back to the rinse bucket, agitate against the grit guard, then soap up the mitt/sponge again. With a mitt or sponge you have to constantly worry about them filling up with contaminants where with a towel you just flip it to a new side.
I still use both methods, but I find the multiple towel method is faster for more maintained cars where I’ll use the 2-bucket for dirtier cars since I get more scrubbing power with a mitt.
I think you can agree that most people who use that method do it as a crutch because they can't figure out the safe 2-bucket system, or they simply took the advice because "some guy said you have to do it this way". If it saves YOU time, then that's great. Can't say I've ever heard another person promote it as a way to save time. Many people want to argue that it's the only safe way, we are here to present it as an incredibly safe way to do it based off of thousands of cars of real world results.
That car is BAD ASS!!!
Thank you, and I have to agree. :)
Have you tried an inline rv water softener filter to get a spot-free rinse?
No.
I do need to use Gyeon Quick detailer as a drying aid. Even when using high quality drying towels.
Why do you feel the need to use a "drying aid"?
@@Esotericdetailbecause the water i use, is ‘city water’. When I’m drying without a drying aid, i am left with white streaks.
When it comes to those Matt finish how do you protect it without enhancing the gloss
I’ve always done a foam-rinse-foam to start off on coated vehicles. Otherwise, if you rinse before foam, the foam has a harder time grabbing onto the slick surface of the coated vehicle.
Can I use a light mix of all purpose cleaner for bugs
Detailing is more lucrative than I realised
As with most things...the amount you get out of it is directly proportional to the amount you put into it!
@@Esotericdetail just pulling your leg Todd 🤪! You deserve it.
Batmobil 😁 really nice car!
Thank you!
Hey Todd! As always, amazing content, but I got a question for you. Do you have any tips/hints, or even, any skills when it's about washing Motorcycles? I used to do it as a hobby, couple of friends kept telling me to go pro so I'm doing it now. Been trying to find some specialized content on the internet but haven't found any arround your skill level when it's about motorcycles. If you don't do it yourself but know someone who's a pro when it comes to bikes, can you recommend them to me? Their instagram or youtube channel, anything.
Thank you!
I got most of my detailing "training" on motorcycles, since I worked in the industry for 22 years and always had the best looking bikes out there. Perhaps some day I should do a video(s) on motorcycle detailing.
@@Esotericdetail Please do! I do filter the information I gather arround about cars and select what can be done and what sould or shouldn't be done on motorcycle, but there always have doubts.
Exposed engines, chromes, under seat electronics... I do my best, but always wonder what's correct haha.
I'd love to learn about motorcycles with you!
THANKS GREAT LEARNING VIDEO
Thank you...glad you enjoyed it!
I notice you avoided the convertible top. what is the proper process for cleaning that roof?
That's for another video...
I've had convertibles for over 40 years. Currently have 2 of them and I always wash the top and car at the same time using the same shampoo, wash mitt and bucket. I never have had a problem and the tops always look brand new. Twice a year I use a fabric protector and every so often I use a lint roller. I dont believe you need a special cleaner or brush to keep a top looking good.
What deionizing water filter do you recommend for home use?
The Simple Chuck unit that I use is quite good. They also have some lesser expensive units in their CR Spotless line (same company).