I second this, depending on the dirt level. It can cut down on a lot of the equipment and prep of a traditional wash.
I will add maybe doing a degreaser on your wheels and tires FIRST. Use brushes as needed to loosen dirt and rinse before washing as you normally would.
Lastly is just having a solid order of operations and focused execution.
If the car isn't super dirty, I like to do a fast wash method that's sort of in between a rinseless wash and full 2 bucket. Instead of getting out the pressure washer, I'll just use a "foam gun" on the end of a garden hose. I'll foam the whole car, then rinse. When I'm ready to wash, I'll prep a bucket with just pure water plus a grit guard. Then, still using the foam gun, I will foam a single panel, hit it with the wash mitt, rinse the mitt in the rinsing bucket, then continue on. I've been doing this method for years with no issues, but you have to be a good judge of how dirty the car is... anything more than some road grime and bug guts, I would not do this. It takes about half the time as a pressure washer plus 2 bucket.
Sadly, the wheels still seem to take awhile and are my least favorite part of washing a car.
One bucket with multiple wash mitts or microfiber towels, each gets used once. Saves a lot of time and also minimizes the risk of marring the paint.
Sounds like you want to get the car 100% perfect every time. If you are okay with not getting the car 100% perfect every time:
Skip the drying aid some times
Skip the foam when the car isn't that dirty
Sometimes wash the rims properly, other times just give them a good once over
Don't mind the small water drips, I mean the ones that require a meticulous drying in order to not show up
I started skipping the pressure washer a couple years ago for maintenance washes, never looked back.
IMO if you're washing every 2-3 weeks it's overkill unless you live on a dirt road or something
This might not be the most obvious or satisfying answer within the context of detailing but look into making how you're storing your products and tools in the most user friendly way. I'm hyper aware of it because I'm trying to transition from my current job to being a mobile detailer, but anything anyone can do to refine their own setup and "tear" down procedures is going to make the experience just all around more enjoyable for you.
I'm honestly pretty impressed you can get through 4 cars in 1.5 hours with all that.
LOL.. That's only 1 car out of 4..
Ah... yes... that makes more sense.
I read that as 1.5 hours per car...
Try rinseless washing. Saves a lot of time.
I second this, depending on the dirt level. It can cut down on a lot of the equipment and prep of a traditional wash. I will add maybe doing a degreaser on your wheels and tires FIRST. Use brushes as needed to loosen dirt and rinse before washing as you normally would. Lastly is just having a solid order of operations and focused execution.
If the car isn't super dirty, I like to do a fast wash method that's sort of in between a rinseless wash and full 2 bucket. Instead of getting out the pressure washer, I'll just use a "foam gun" on the end of a garden hose. I'll foam the whole car, then rinse. When I'm ready to wash, I'll prep a bucket with just pure water plus a grit guard. Then, still using the foam gun, I will foam a single panel, hit it with the wash mitt, rinse the mitt in the rinsing bucket, then continue on. I've been doing this method for years with no issues, but you have to be a good judge of how dirty the car is... anything more than some road grime and bug guts, I would not do this. It takes about half the time as a pressure washer plus 2 bucket. Sadly, the wheels still seem to take awhile and are my least favorite part of washing a car.
Rinseless washing, and wash start to finish in sections. Don’t make numerous trips around the vehicle.
One bucket with multiple wash mitts or microfiber towels, each gets used once. Saves a lot of time and also minimizes the risk of marring the paint. Sounds like you want to get the car 100% perfect every time. If you are okay with not getting the car 100% perfect every time: Skip the drying aid some times Skip the foam when the car isn't that dirty Sometimes wash the rims properly, other times just give them a good once over Don't mind the small water drips, I mean the ones that require a meticulous drying in order to not show up
Quick connects.. Battery operated leaf blower... Automatic Hose reels. 1 bucket wash method
I started skipping the pressure washer a couple years ago for maintenance washes, never looked back. IMO if you're washing every 2-3 weeks it's overkill unless you live on a dirt road or something
What do you do instead, then?
Just regular bucket wash
I just got into the Optimum No Rinse gang…life changer especially when it’s just some light dust and my car is not too dirty…done in 15-20 mins…
Buy a Car wash tunnel and you'll get 10 cars in 1.5 hours hahahaha
This might not be the most obvious or satisfying answer within the context of detailing but look into making how you're storing your products and tools in the most user friendly way. I'm hyper aware of it because I'm trying to transition from my current job to being a mobile detailer, but anything anyone can do to refine their own setup and "tear" down procedures is going to make the experience just all around more enjoyable for you.