Learning how to hand wash a car can give superior results compared to automatic car washes. You have greater control over the car wash process, ensuring every inch of your vehicle gleams. You can also choose what products and equipment you use. Moreover, there are no worries about automated car wash services leaving scratches and swirls on paintwork.

In this guide, we also share tips and techniques on how best to wash a car by hand in an environmentally friendly way. For example, DetailXPerts uses steam and all-organic cleaning materials to achieve a greener clean with a professional hand car wash.

To learn more about our green car wash process, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide:

How to Hand Wash a Car Like a Pro

What is a hand car wash? It is when you manually clean your car using soap and water – or steam if you have the equipment. It isn’t one of those jobs done in 5 minutes or less. Knowing how to wash a car properly by hand takes time because you prioritize attention to detail. You must also invest in equipment and cleaning products.

However, if you take pride in maintaining your car’s cleanliness and appearance, there’s nothing stopping you from mastering the art of the do-it-yourself car wash. Here are the steps, products, and tips for washing and detailing your car like a pro.

What You’ll Need

Gather all the items you need before you start washing your car. This ensures you have everything to hand as you work through the steps. You can tailor your car wash supplies list to your preferences. For example, if you like eco-friendly products or have special requirements for your car’s finish, add them to your detailing kit. Here are the main items:

• Two car wash buckets
• Detailing bucket grit guards
• Car wash shampoo or soap, preferably organic
• Microfiber car wash mitt
• Microfiber drying towels
• Automotive clay bar
• Hose (optional)

If you don’t have the tools and equipment, visit a self service car wash. This is a good introduction to DIY car washing. Then, if you enjoy the experience, you can invest in a proper car hand wash detailing kit.

Choose a Suitable Location

Park your car in a shaded area. Direct sunlight can cause water and cleaning solutions to evaporate quickly, leaving water spots and streaks behind. Also, make sure you have easy access to a water source, such as a hose or outdoor facet.

Equally important, be mindful of local regulations and environmental guidelines regarding car washing. Some areas may restrict car washing in driveways or streets due to concerns about water runoff. Ensure that your chosen location complies with applicable laws and regulations. You can also explore waterless car wash options.

Clean Tires and Wheels

Start by washing the wheels and tires. Wheels tend to attract the most dirt, grime, brake dust, and road debris, particularly in the wheel wells. Washing the wheels first means you won’t have to worry about splashing dirt onto clean car exterior paintwork. Do as follows:

• Rinse wheels and tires to remove loose dirt.
• Use a wheel cleaning product as advised on the label for heavily soiled wheels.
• Then, scrub the wheels with soapy water using a soft bristle car detailing brush.
• Use a separate tire brush to scrub the tires with a fresh bucket of soapy water. Don’t use dishwashing soap. If it is too harsh, it will ruin the wax coat on the car’s paint and harden the tires and other rubber parts of your car.
• After thoroughly scrubbing the wheels and tires, rinse them with clean water to remove dirt and soap residue.

This hands-on technique guarantees you clean even hard-to-reach places that a soft cloth car wash or brushless car wash might miss.

Rinse Your Car

Ensure all doors and windows and closed, then rinse with water to remove any loose dirt from the paintwork. Rinse from the top down, focusing on the roof, hood, trunk, and sides of your car.

How to Hand Wash a Car Exterior in Sections

Use the two-bucket method to wash the vehicle – one for washing and the other for rinsing. This technique helps minimize the risk of scratching or damaging the paintwork during the car wash process. The steps are as follows:

• Fix the grit guards in the buckets to trap any dirt and grit. Then, fill one bucket with water and the other with a mixture of your selected car wash shampoo/soap and water.
• Dip your wash mitt or sponge into the soapy water and wash your car one section at a time. Start from the top and work your way down.
• Use a gentle, circular motion to lift the dirt. Too much pressure can cause grit to scratch your paint.
• After washing each section, rinse your wash mitt in the bucket with clean water.

Rinse

Rinse your car thoroughly. Again, start from the top and work your way down. Do you want to save water? You can choose a more environmentally friendly option instead of using a hose. For example, update your hand car wash equipment list to include a steam cleaner for cars.

DetailXPerts uses steam cleaning because it conserves water. We only need 1 pint of water for cleaning medium-sized cars and 5 gallons for huge trucks. And since no chemicals are used, there are no toxic runoffs that can damage the soil, groundwater, and surface water.

Dry Car Exterior

Use a clean microfiber towel to dry your car exterior. Dry one section at a time to ensure you don’t miss a spot. Starting from the roof and working down prevents water from dripping onto areas you’ve already dried. Here are some more drying tips:

• Wipe in straight lines rather than circular motions when using the drying towel. This helps prevent swirl marks and ensures a streak-free finish.
• Switch to a fresh towel when the current one becomes damp to avoid spreading water around.
• Use a clean microfiber towel to dry the windows and mirrors. Ensure that the glass is completely dry to prevent streaks and water spots.

Clay Bar Treatment

If you run your hand over the paintwork and it feels rough or gritty even after washing, it could benefit a clay bar treatment. This detailing tool removes stubborn dirt such as road tar, bug residue or tree sap. This hand car wash process is simple:

• Work on one small section of the car at a time.
• Gently rub the clay bar over the lubricated surface using light pressure. Move the clay bar back and forth in straight lines or small circular motions. You should feel the clay bar picking up contaminants as you glide over the paint.
• After claying each section, use a clean microfiber towel to wipe off any residue. Once you’ve finished, the paint should feel smooth and clean.

Finish With Wax or Sealant

You know how to wash a car properly by hand, so you can apply the finishing touch with wax or sealant to enhance shine and gloss. Moreover, wax is a protective barrier on the paint’s surface, shielding it from environmental contaminants such as dirt, dust, bird droppings, tree sap, and road grime.

Conclusion

Knowing how to wash a car by hand ensures it receives the care and attention it deserves. Simply follow the steps to produce amazing results! Although this task is more time-consuming than visiting a drive through car wash, it is time well spent if you enjoy the process. Also, if you opt for organic products whenever possible and do your best to minimize water waste, you can create your own eco-friendly car wash at home.

We can also bring an environmentally friendly hand car wash to your doorstep. Our team uses steam cleaning to clean and shine your car. Tough on dirt but gentle on paintwork, pressurized steam power gets rid of dirt and contaminants. It is fast drying, too.

For more details on our greener clean, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide: