[san rensho]

Alright, an alternate point of view. First, wash the car often, getting the grime off of it and keeping the paint clean is the best thing for paint longevity.

Next the tools. I use a brush on a 4 foot pole. With this set up, I never have to crouch down to clean anything, including the wheels. The brush is very soft and retains grit much less than a wash mitt.

To dry, I start with a purpose made squeegee, Waterblade. It is very soft and does not scratch like a microfiber towel or chamois that holds grit.

Finally, the soap. I use Armor All wash and wax but any wash with wax will work. The wax really does leave a shine, but the secret is more is more, use a lot of soap. The recommended amount is an ounce per gallon, I use 3-4.

Start by rinsing that car, starting with the top and working down. Feel the paint and rinse until you feel no grit on the finish. Then use the brush to apply the soap to the painted part of the car. Do not use soap on the top, it will strip the waterproofing. I'd don't use any special cleaner for the wheel, the soap works fine since the wheels are painted and clear coated like the rest of the body.

Now, probably the most important part, the rinse. Take the nozzle off the hose and hold the hose about six inches from the body work and quickly flood the trunk and front of the car, then quickly walk around the car and rinse the sides. Here, less is more, don't worry if you see a little foam left. You can actually just stop here as the wash will be almost spot free, especially if you drive the car on the freeway right away.

For the best results, finish with the squeegee. Start with the top and use the squeegee to knock off the majority of the water. Finish with a microfiber towel to dry the glass, the door sills and and the wheels.

Once you have it down, it takes les than half an hour.