My two recent improvements to my detailing process
by Eric SchusterSo, throughout the course of the YEARS, I came across products that work, some that don’t, and some I thought I could get by without…once you start trying out new things, you will start to understand the reason other people are using them. Case in point, water sheeting method to remove water beads from the paint before drying, and my new chemical guys mini leaf blower!
I used to just wash a car like normal without doing the water sheeting method. I would wet the car, wash it, rinse it and at this point, it would have a ton of water still on the car. I would then take 2-3 drying towels and continue to dry the car. Sure this method works, but why take 2-3 passes over the whole car when you can do it in one? For those who dont know what the water sheeting method is, I’ll explain it a little:
First, pre-rinse the car as usual to remove all the loose dirt and debris from the paint. Next, wash the car with your favorite car soap. Put the mitt down, pick up the hose, and rinse off the soap from the car. Once you have the car rinsed and free of soap, take the nozzle off the hose end and turn the water on HALF WAY. You don’ want a strong stream of water, but rather just enough pressure to push or pull the water off the surfaces. Use slow passes ensuring the water will form a SHEET on the surface so that it will carry a majority of the water off the car. Start at the top and do all the horizontals first, then do the sides. At this point, you should be left with about 20% or less of the water on the car. Take your drying towel and get the rest of the water off the car. Use a bit of quick detailer to aid in the drying process to prevent swirling.
The other thing that has really helped me out is the mini leaf blower from chemical guys. It works like a vacuum blower attachment, or an air compressor, but its better all around for me! It fits in a small box, doesnt need to fill up, and is lightweight. it has enough power to dry the entire car, but I only use it for the cracks, crevices, around headlights, grills, emblems, door seals, jambs, side mirrors, etc. Some cars are notorious for holding on to water until you drive them away leaving you with drip marks all over. This mini leaf blower eliminates that! No more polishing the car and having to stop to wipe away the water that dripped out form the cracks!
Those are just two of the more recent tips I would highly recommend adding to your detailing process/tools!
Eric do you find much difference with the sheeting process dealing with a waxed versus a in need of wax surface ? I will have to take a look at the CG blower. Never took the time to give it a second glance before.
Paul S
Eric, the Chemical Guys mini blower is very powerful. I purchased one last year and it works great for small areas. Even better is this sheeting method, I’ve got to try it..seems like a big time saver.
For sheeting, I use this valve to save multiple trips to and from the water source throughout a detail. To adjust the flow of water, I just crimp the hose appropriatly.
https://www.detailedimage.com/Gilmour-M33/Brass-Connector-High-Flow-Shut-off-Valve-P261/
do it ryan, it saves on toweling the car as well!
Brent, that is a great idea!!!!
For sheeting, I have a special hose. I had cut an old hose’s end to a foot or so length. I use quick disconnects and a shut off so I can switch from my sprayer to the sheeting hose. I regulate the flow with the shut off.
I have to second Brent & Al’s suggestions. Going back and forth to the spigot is a huge waste of energy for me. So a shutoff valve at the end of the hose is a must. But (and its a big but), the output from a valve alone has far too much spray to sheet properly. So my solution is similar to Al’s — I have a 3′ washing machine supply hose — I screw one end onto the shutoff valve and the other end is cut off so its just an open rubber hose. Ta da, an easily-adjustable sheeting hose. The best thing I ever did (besides discovering the DI website). Thanks to Eric S for bringing it up.
-Eric H.
I’ll third what Al says. Attaching a small section of bare hose to the coupler makes for a very nice sheeting action and you don’t have to worry about scratching the paint.
I have been using the water sheeting and leaf blower method to fnish my washing regimen for years… I am amazed that more people don’t do it!
I’ve recently started using my full-size leaf blower and the sheeting method. Saves towels, time and swirls.
Still use my small Chemical Guys Jet Speed Dryer for engine detailing, but by and large it’s the full-size leaf blower that really cuts down the time required to dry the car.
Is there a difference in how the water sheets or runs off a vehicle if it has a carnauba wax or a sealant applied on it?
I find that carnauba waxes obviously tend to bead more, but because of this, the surface tension of between the wax and water tends to be less than that of a sealant and the water “rolls” off more easily when blown with a leaf blower. I still end up with a lot of beads of water on flat surfaces, like hoods and tops.
I know some like sealants because they feel it sheets water rather than having it “bead”, and the durability and protection is better than carnauba.
For years I have adopted the water sheeting method/using an electric leaf blower to dry my vehicles. I don’t know what I would do without either process. It not only cuts down your drying time, but allows less room for error when drying with your MF waffle weave towel. I also love using my electric leaf blower for blowing off left over product dust when buffing a car. Also it works great for blowing off accumulated every day dust in between washes.
Eric
Thank You Very Mucho for this post. These things had never crossed my mind but since then I’ve started using both when working on cars. Man oh man, talk about cutting down on time.
Thanks Eric for saving me lots of time!!
Tomato
DFW, TX area
Thanks for this post!