DAY 31: How to wash your car and not destroy the paint, for cheap

Traveling through the bad winter weather of 2014 has left the car pretty filthy on the outside. There is little-to-no salt on the southern roads, but sand, dirt, and water show up pretty clearly on a black cars.

Here's a breakdown on how I keep the car clean on the cheap while I'm traveling. Today I am in Austin, TX. It's sunny and warm -- a great day to wash the car. The first thing I do is ask around for the cleanest (well maintained) self wash location in the neighborhood. Next a go to the bank and get a roll of quarters. Next, I stop by an auto parts store for a large washing sponge and microfibers towels. On this particular day a sponge and towels came to $5.

Brand new sponge, one time use only.

"Why do I need a sponge", you ask? Never use the foaming brush on the wall at the car wash. They are full of dirt. Dirt is primary silica and misc minerals. It _will_ scratch paint / clearcoat. On the other hand the sponge is clean. At $2, you don't feel bad about throwing it away afterwards (or using it for something else). My process goes like this:

1. Wet car with sprayer in soap mode. Lotus specifically warns against pressure washing, so I keep the nozzle 5-7 feet from the paint and point it away from intakes.
2. Wet the sponge with sprayer in soap mode.
3. Wash Roof. 
4. Step 2
5. Wash hatch
6. Step 2
7. Wash quarter panel
8. Step 2
9. Wash doors
10. Rinse
11. Step 2
12. Wash front clam
13. Step 2
14. Wash front bumper
15. Step 2
16. Wash rear bumper
17. Step 2
18. Rinse
19. Wash wheels
20. Rinse

I may seem pedantic, but that order is pretty important. You don't want to let the soap or sponge dry and you want to keep the sponge clean. It is generally top to bottom to keep grime from being wiped around. Do the wheels last. Once there is brake dust on the sponge it is forever banned from touching the body panels. Lastly, if you drop the sponge then throw it away. You'll never been able to get it clean again. Don't let a $2 sponge cause a $500 scratch.

Here's some photos after the application of 20 minutes of elbow grease. Don't forget to clean the door and hatch jams. The interior is actually pretty clean after a month.

 

Don't forget the door jams