There are so many ways to properly wash the car it'll make your head spin. You'll get a lot of good recommendations. Just choose the one that fits your preference. I'd tell you how I wash and dry mine, but I don't have to wash it where I live. I just detail it for 45 minutes ever day. You know...retired and have the time.

 

 

I wash car with Maguires car soap and dry with Metro Master Blaster, Master Blaster saves me a lot of time drying and saves my back.

 

 

As stated you will get alot of opinions to answer your question, but here is how I get my Vette ready for a show (Im a huge Meguiars fan so my product list will show that):

1) Wash Car - Meguiars Ultimate Wash & Wax (yellow colored soap) - rinse with normal hose pressure or gentle nozzle on power washer
2) Dry with soft microfiber towels - change often
3) Clay Exterior using Quick Detailer as lubricant - use Meguiars Clay Kit
4) If paint needs more help (swirl marks, scratches, etc) - use Meguiars M205 Polish (use DA Buffer with polishing pad for best results)
5) Use Meguiars Hybrid Ceramic Wax (use with microfiber towel and strong water pressure) OR Meguiars Carnauba Wax (use DA Buffer with waxing or finishing pad for best results)
6) On days where a full wash isn't needed - use Meguiars Waterless Wash & Wax

 

I use either Zaino or Chemical Guys soap to hand wash. I use a combination of a Master Blaster and microfiber towels to dry.

 

I use Griots waterless wash. Spray on wipe dirt off.

 

I pressure wash mine, using any of the high quality auto soaps on the market. Then I blow dry it. I am a firm believer that the less you "touch" a cars paint, the better off it is. Pollen, dirt, industrial waste, anything in the air, lays on the finish. Even as you are washing it. Even using a soft cloth, I think it gets dragged across the finish, dulling it a very little bit each wash. The less you touch the paint the better off you are.
I also had mine ceramic coated. The paint looks much brighter, and has much more depth!

 

Foam cannon to soak it down. Bucket with soapy water, grit guard and microfiber mitt to wipe down. Hose with showering type nozzle to rinse. Drive down the street a few houses applying brakes a little (to dry brakes off and shake water from wheels) then pull into garage. 8hp master blaster to dry. C-Magic detail spray and tire dressing to finish and window cleaner usually last.

 

Yes.

 

Master blaster is on my purchase list, I'm getting water spots everywhere.

 

I tried the foam cannon a couple times but didn't see much benefit. Now I just use either Meguiar's or Mother's brand soap with a microfiber wash mitt. I try to use the two bucket method but I usually forget to hit the rinse bucket so it's more like a 1-1/3 bucket method. I use an electric pressure washer to get any loose stuff off first and do the finish rinse with a plain old hose.

I am a big fan of the Master Blaster. It takes me a little longer but it gets all the crevices dried out and dries the car without ever touching the paint. If you get one, spend the little bit extra for the highest power and the longest hose. I have a bum shoulder so flinging a towel around isn't fun for me and the MB does a better job anyhow.

I just today got a bottle of Meguiar's Hybrid Ceramic Wax. I tried it on the hood of my Silverado and it beads water pretty good but I don't know enough about how it works to give an opinion. It is chilly and raining outside so I didn't do the first application real well. I'll have to try it for a while on the white truck before I spray it on the black Vette. I really hope it works as advertised because I am basically lazy and the new A/S tires are on order and I plan to drive the car a little more often so a quick and easy wax is tempting even though I don't believe in magic.

One other thing: Get the good microfiber towels - those Korean jobs with no edge hems from the Rag Company or somewhere. The difference between those and the cheap towels is amazing. I used the yellow bulk pack towels from Costco for a long time but the Korean ones are all that touches the car anymore. I don't know what being from Korea does for 'em, but it is good.

 

Until then you can use a cheap electric leaf blower

 

All I ever use

 

I use Zaino products for wash, polish, quick detail, sealer. I use a Metro Blaster 4hp dryer. Invisible glass cleaner, mothers chrome polish. Rainx to finish the windshield.

 

I don't like spending time washing the car so employ the lazy-man's method:
- Rinse with pressure washer
- Wipe down with microfiber mitt and soap
- Rinse with deionized water
- Sit back and let it air dry

 

Meguire's products in a two-bucket system (learned the bucket system here.) I have a plastic paint roller grid inside the rinse bucket that I rub the mitt against, to remove dirt. MIcrofiber for everything: wash mitt, drying towels, polish/wax removal on painted surfaces, and wiping out the door jambs, under hood, and under the rear hatch. I use a Home Depot long-handled soft-bristle brush for the face and spokes of the wheels and a Home Depot microfiber ceiling fan brush to reach the wheel barrels. All sorts of treatments for all sorts of surfaces. Meguire's Ultimate wax is applied once a week, since the car is uncovered outside more often than not.

I chose to buy two new buckets from Lowes (like the blue better than the HD orange) with lids. When the car is finished, I pop all the dirty stuff into the washer. Everything air-dries. The next morning, I put ALL of the stuff into the two buckets, snap the lids on and store in the garage.

 

I am also of the thought that the less you touch it, the better the paint will look (day to day), and the less often that paint correction will need to be done (which I do myself).

During the warmer months, I hand wash using a good soap, and use clear coat protection (I have no permanent favorite, but currently Adam's H2O Guard and Gloss is what I like).

During the winter, I go through a touchless wash with a good undercarriage wash to get the salt off.