1. Stay away from automatic brush washes. These machines use abrasive bristles that trap dirt from previous vehicles, essentially sandpapering your paint. They also use harsh, high-pH chemicals that strip away the protection applied in your detail. The best approach is to hand wash at home. If that’s not feasible, then a "Touchless" wash works between details.

2. To avoid micro-scratching, your paint should never be wiped without a lubricating agent. Even rain water should be avoided, as it lacks the necessary slickness and holds contaminants which will damage your paint if wiped with them present. Only use a suggested quick detailer for light touch-ups.

• The Two-Bucket System: Use one bucket for your wheels and a separate one for the paint. Use Grit Guards in both to trap debris at the bottom.

• Movement Step. 1: Always wash and dry in straight lines/strokes, never circles. This prevents swirl marks.

• Movement Step 2: Always wash from the roof down to the rockers. The lower panels of your car hold the heaviest grit; washing them last ensures you aren't dragging grime up onto your cleaner hood or roof.

• Wheels: Wet wheels and tires first, then spray product/apply soap, scrub thoroughly, then rinse. Do this one wheel at a time.

• Temperature: Never wash a car in direct sunlight or when the paint is hot to the touch. Never wash it below freezing point, too.

• Bird Poop: Because bird poop is highly acidic, it’s important to remove it as soon as possible before it causes permanent damage to your paint. First, ensure surface is not in direct sunlight or hot, then soak a microfiber towel in water or detailing spray, and lay it over the dropping(s) for 2-5 minutes to soften it. Gently lift or wipe the softened mess away without rubbing to avoid scratching the paint, then clean the area.

I am always happy to advise on the best products for your specific finish. My current kit is curated from years of personal testing, using professional products trusted by Porsche and Mercedes-Benz in their Stuttgart facilities. Below are more accessible products.

• Pre-Wash: Use Bilt Hamber Touch-Less via foam cannon or pump sprayer. Let dwell for 1–5 mins and then rinse. Please do not let it dry for more than a few minutes.

• Surface Care: Rag Company (Pad, All Purpose Towels, Drying) is a gold standard used for surface care. I highly recommend Microfiber Madness for single-stage or extremely sensitive paintwork

• Contact Wash: Use CarPro Reset or Meguiar’s Gold Class with a microfiber mitt.

• Wheels: Use the same aforementioned soap you’d use for your contact wash if your car gets regularly cleaned every other week. If not, then use something stronger such as Adam’s Tire & Wheel Cleaner with a ProGrip Brush. If your wheels are raw-polished aluminum, use Bilt Hamber Surfex HD diluted 10:1 only.

• Spray Sealant: Please consult.

• Glass & Interior: Please consult.

• Water spots/Bugs/Bird poop: Please consult.

• To avoid cross-contamination, only wash microfiber towels with others used for the same job. Keep exterior, interior, wheel, drying, and glass cleaning towels in their own dedicated loads.

• Evaluate the soil level before washing; heavily contaminated towels should be retired or demoted to "dirty" job, like engine bays, to prevent them from ruining your high-quality paint and drying towels in the wash.

• Wash microfiber towels on low-heat/warm with scent-free detergent in a clean washing machine free of debris, pet hair, etc.

• Never wash detailing towels with household laundry.

• Air dry or use the "No Heat" setting. Heat melts the fibers and causes scratches. Do not use dryer sheets.

• Once dry, fold and organize your towels by task, storing them in airtight containers or drawers to keep them free of dust and contaminants until their next use.