Matt@adams

Last week I setup a camera to film my entire wash process from start to finish, mainly at the request of a customer who had seen how my black Avalanche had looked thru most of its life. He has been struggling to keep his black truck swirl free and wanted to know how I did it. What better way than to just show the process, start to finish? Obviously I've sped this up so you don't have to watch me wash a truck for an hour+, but it is uncut... every part... how I wash my rides every time to minimize swirling.

Please... any questions feel free to ask. Also, this is an ever evolving process as anyones wash routine should be. When you see an area for improvement GO FOR IT!

3 bucket truck wash - YouTube

So why 3 buckets?

I started to notice that in some of my washes the 2nd bucket was still getting a fair amount of grit in the bottom. Wanting to eliminate the chances it made it back to the paint I added a 3rd bucket with another grit guard. My goal is to have ZERO contamination by the time I make it to that last bucket.

Bucket 1:
Pure water. this is used to scrub loose the majority of the debris. The wash media is scrubbed against the insert, combed thru with my fingers and given a quick visual inspection.

Bucket 2:
Pure water. This bucket gets much the same process as the first, once again scrubbing against the grit guard, pulling out of the water and inspecting for debris.

Bucket 3:
Water with soap. When your wash mitt reaches this bucket it should be clean and free of debris minimizing your chances of swirling. Make sure the mixture is heavy and a thick later of soap is created at setup.

You'll also notice the addition of a foam gun to the process. I'd like to stress this is NOT a requirement, but more a thing of convenience. Using solid technique you can perform a proper swirl free wash without a foam gun... it just makes it faster/easier. Also, before anyone says anything - the gun I'm using is actually from the pre-china gilmour days... I've had it for awhile.

The process itself is pretty basic.

• Start with the wheels as always.
• Rinse really well before introducing soap.
• Foam the vehicle completely.
• Merino Wash Mitt for the upper 2/3rds working 1 panel with each side of the mitt.
• Rinse. Inspect. Rinse. Inspect. Prime and repeat.
• Switch over to 2nd wash mitt or pad for lower 1/3rd following same process.
• Optional - Foam the vehicle again anywhere the soap may have started to dry.
• Power rinse with a strong stream from the hose.
• Sheet rinse to reduce standing water.
• Blaster Sidekick to knock loose bulk of remaining water.
• Great White Drying Towel + Detail Spray to dry
• Hit again with Blaster Sidekick to get water out of cracks.
• Touchup with Great White + Detail Spray
• Waterless Wash + Waterless Wash Towel for door jambs, engine bay, and wheels.

Total time start to finish for this wash was 1h 17m

black00chev

iTrader: (2)

How much just to get you to come out here and do it a full detail for me?


I love my black truck but damn do I hate cleaning it. Doesnt help my driveway is 1/3mile long and all gravel and my house is surrounded by trees.

Matt@adams

My rate is $35-$55 p/hour depending on the work... not including travel and lodging. I'm thinking it might be a bit cost prohibitive to get me out to Virginia from the west coast.

slpsilverado

iTrader: (1)

Awesome! Love the video. I wish I had this kind of patience. Getting in a hurry is my biggest problem when doing something like this.

fortplainman

nice man.

black00chev

iTrader: (2)

Hey I have a spare bedroom so that covers lodging

You could always do like Justin(BBP) and get a few people to throw down a deposit and travel out to where you can get enough people.

Thats my problem too. That and it always seems to rain for two days straight after everytime I wash the damn thing.

A Low Dime

iTrader: (13)

What kind of special Adams water hose are you using?

I didnt notice it get caught under the tire or even need to tug on it? Wtf.

tones2SS

I'd be down for that. Count me in. I'd pay you your pay rate plus your food/drink. And, my truck is pretty clean, so mit wouldn't be that much work. I want that sucka SUPER CLEAN!!! lol

Matt@adams

Problem is he can tune a bunch of guys in one day with pretty limited hardware needed. A proper detail with paint correction isn't gonna take any less than 6 hours and all the supplies needed wouldn't travel well.

Maybe a shipping system. You freight your vehicle to me, I detail it and ship it back

I'm pretty sure I control the weather with my washing... the forecast can be 90* and sunny, but the day after I wash it'll rain.

Goodyear all weather black hose... one of the few you can get that are Made in the USA.

2 tone 02

iTrader: (8)

I really need to switch to 2 buckets with grit guards.

Also Dylan, do you have a code we can use to receive our full order, not just 1/10th?