{"id":248837,"date":"2023-12-18T10:19:18","date_gmt":"2023-12-18T10:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=248837"},"modified":"2023-12-18T10:19:18","modified_gmt":"2023-12-18T10:19:18","slug":"why-doing-a-diy-car-wash-on-my-fortuner-gave-me-immense-satisfaction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/news-features\/why-doing-a-diy-car-wash-on-my-fortuner-gave-me-immense-satisfaction\/","title":{"rendered":"Why doing a DIY car wash on my Fortuner gave me immense satisfaction"},"content":{"rendered":"
BHPian narayanang76<\/strong> recently shared this with other enthusiasts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My car is 7-years-younger and has seen enough of hands and materials rolling over its paint surface over the years and has its own left-over scars. Most of the yesteryears the apartment car cleaner guys have swirled, scratched, and marred the paint surface of my car, rather than cleaning it mostly. However, in 2023 I decided to take control to ensure that I try my best to avoid further damages on the car paint surface. The motivations came from reading through discussion threads on Team-BHP, I have to admit, the information and experience that is shared is such valuable here, thanks to many of you have inspired and shared your knowledge. With enough motivation and some learning, decided to start washing my car myself to the max extent possible. I started this journey in May-June 2023, and sustaining it for 7+ months so far.<\/p>\n As first step, I decided to dump the apartment car cleaner guy and purchase few real essential items gradually, as and when I made more progress with this DIY car wash journey. This included some good quality TRC 600 GSM Microfiber towels from The Rag Company, 8L + 1L Kissan kraft water sprayers and a Turtle Wax Hybrid solutions Flex Wax, Turtle Wax All Wheel and Tyre cleaner, Tyre brushes etc. Everything was purchased from Amazon. From my self-washing experience over months, I have also created few templates with instructions for a quick wash, an intermediate wash, and a thorough wash during this learning phase. I apply these DIY methods depending on the condition of the car and also the energy and enthusiasm I have before starting a car washing.<\/p>\n I understand from many expert BHPians who shared the best ways to keep the car paint pristine for years. Like using pressure washer doing a touchless wash, using RO water for car washing, using premium and PH-neutral shampoo and ONR like products, leaf blowers for dusting and stop using Jopasu duster etc. However I strike a lower ground with a more practical approach. My car is parked in a basement car parking of an apartment complex, with limited space and no access to water or power. Buying an expensive cordless pressure washer or cordless leaf blower of good quality, was really an overkill since my car was already old, has enough swirl marks already and I was mainly trying to avoid further damages. Also I am not at all a full time professional detailer, merely an enthusiastic car user having my other life priorities of personal and professional commitments. And lastly I didn\u2019t want to buy more items and add to the clutter inside home. So I still continue to use Jopasu duster for dry dusting once a week, and a regular good quality PH-balanced shampoo for car wash during the process.<\/p>\n Few benefits from DIY car washing which I realized:<\/p>\n Few challenges\/cons from DIY car washing which I realized:<\/p>\n Additional spending. I realize that I spent on few items purchased for this DIY, but this was my choice to ease the washing process and also to further up the cleaning game levels a bit.<\/p>\n Dirty car syndrome: Worry about taking the car out when its cloudy and roads are dirty. The thought that we have to clean ourselves if it gets dirty is sometimes worrying during those drives.<\/p>\n Water wastage: Being aware of the quantum of water wastage to produce RO water. Only justification is that the RO water quantity used is 10-15L for a wash (monthly once wash at max)<\/p>\n Taking to car wash centers for pressure washing: This year I had to take my car only once to nearby car wash center since it was dirtier after out station drive in rains. This is anyways needed irrespective we are washing ourselves or apartment car cleaners are cleaning.<\/p>\n During last weekend, I did a detailed and thorough car cleaning process as DIY. The car was dirty after few recent long drives, but I was confident I am able to clean it. One good thing was that the Wheels and tyres didn\u2019t need much cleaning, so it was a time and effort saver.<\/p>\n Did the following process as DIY car washing (total time taken approx. less than 2 hours):<\/p>\n Products and Equipment used during the DIY wash process:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Based on my experience with apartment car cleaners and car wash centers, they never take care of your car instead create further damages some way or the other to your beloved car. By doing washing ourselves, far-far better than how they do it, with better quality materials, equipment and tools, taking time to clean every surface area, finally applying spray wax polish, and feeling satisfied about the whole experience, I feel it’s worth calling it a premium wash.<\/p>\n It’s a learning and beginning for me in doing this firstly. I want to sustain this and ensure that I have the motivation to continue doing this as much as possible. However, I am quite happy with my journey, my outcome and the sheer joy of admiring a nice and detailed car.<\/p>\n As next advancement, I have been reading about Optimum No Rinse solution, which is used in the Rinse less wash technique advocated by many leading detailers across the globe. I plan to try it out in future. I also want to invest in some quality Microfiber towels with good water absorption capability, for easier drying.<\/p>\n Sharing some pics of my effort from last weekend:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hope you enjoyed reading through my experience.<\/p>\n Cheers,<\/p>\n narayanang76<\/p>\n Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.<\/p>\nBackground:<\/h2>\n
Practicality and reality:<\/h2>\n
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Why I call it a premium wash?<\/h2>\n
My next advancement plans:<\/h2>\n