Basic Shopping List for Washing My Car

Hi guys,

It turns out that I'm allowed to wash my car in my building's garage. I would like to go buy the items I need for a basic car wash that I can do every two weeks or so.

So far I can think of the following:

- Hose/nozzle
- Pressure washer
- Round bucket x 2
- Sponge
- Chamois leather for drying
- Dish soap in bulk from Costco (parents' suggestion, instead of specialized car washing soap)
- Brake dust cleaner
- Windex/something similar for washing glass
- Shop towels
- Wax?
- Clay bar? (is it useful if I don't want to polish/detail?)
- Aquapel or something similar?

Am I forgetting anything? Do you guys have any other suggestions? Any brand suggestions? Where would be the best place to buy these items (I'm thinking either Costco, Home Depot, or Canadian Tire)?

Also, does anyone have links to a good car washing guide?

Thanks a lot!

Here is a quick answer:

First Watch this video


As for basic tools/products:

-Water
-Good CAR Soap
-2 Buckets
-Sponge or Mitt
-Drying Towel
-Wheels Cleaner
-Some kind of brush for the wheels
-Tire Shine
-Invisible Glass for your windows
-Wax
I wouldn't buy a pressure washer, there isn't really a need for it if you wash your car often.

Clay bar is needed twice a year. As for aquapel once or twice a year!

Go on Eshine.ca for your products

Hope that helps

Yes as Nico said, absolutely do not use dish soap. This was a very bad suggestion from your parents. Dish soap is a degreaser, and car wax is a grease, so washing with dish soap will remove waxes and other protection and leave your car vulnerable to the elements. A good car soap available locally is the AutoGlym Bodywork Shampoo or the Meguiar`s Gold class. Both available at Canadian Tire.

In fact here is a quick shopping list of good product you can buy at locally that will suit your needs very well.

- Hose/nozzle
- Pressure washer - No need for this unless you're going to be washing many cars often
- Round bucket x 2 - Reno Depot 5 gallon buckets are $3.99 each, good deal.
- Sponge - Look at the Simoniz 100% lambswool wash mitt available at Canadian Tire for $12.99
- Chamois leather for drying - Meguiar's Water Magnet waffle weave towels at Canadian Tire for $14.99
- Dish soap in bulk from Costco (parents' suggestion, instead of specialized car washing soap) - NO! Get AutoGlym Bodywork Shampoo or Meguiar's Gold class from Canadian Tire. $12.99 and $19.99 respectively.
- Brake dust cleaner - AutoGlym Custom Wheel cleaner at CT for $12.99 - this can be diluted 1:1 with water for more product and just as efficient
- Windex/something similar for washing glass - Stoner's Invisible Glass 4 pack at Costco for $14.99
- Shop towels - Bag of 24 MicroFiber towels from Costco for $14.99
- Wax? - Yes, but you need to find a wax for your needs and budget.
- Clay bar? (is it useful if I don't want to polish/detail?) - Useful once or twice a year - Mother's Clay bar wax kit at CT for $29.99
- Aquapel or something similar? Aquapels can be had online or via one of the detailers here - One application a year

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Wow, thanks a lot guys! I really appreciate your help! Any suggestions for wax, though? What are the prices like? What does "needs" mean? Where would be a good place to look, ether way? By the way, how is the wax applied? Do I need anything special for it?

PM sent for the wax. We`ll talk.

Between the dish soap and how is wax applied this could have been disastrous lol

The internet is a beautiful thing sometimes!

HeadBanger said:

Between the dish soap and how is wax applied this could have been disastrous lol

The internet is a beautiful thing sometimes!

Click to expand...

Yeah, definitely! Thanks a lot for the help guys, I really appreciate it. I'm a complete noob when it comes to car maintenance, that includes washing them

If you're not big on car washing/ detailing I would consider looking into a paint sealant. It'll leave your car with a good shine but most of all protection that last longer. Typically a sealant can last 4-6 months. Waxes will leave a nicer finish imo, depending what color car you have and how you want it too look it can allow it to have a very wet look and give a nice carnuaba glow. Most waxes have a basic method of application, apply a small amount with a wax pad do small sections of the car at a time and buff off with a clean microfiber when it begins to haze.

Also +1 for Meguiars Gold Class soap. Best soap for the price!

Joshycar said:

If you're not big on car washing/ detailing I would consider looking into a paint sealant. It'll leave your car with a good shine but most of all protection that last longer. Typically a sealant can last 4-6 months. Waxes will leave a nicer finish imo, depending what color car you have and how you want it too look it can allow it to have a very wet look and give a nice carnuaba glow. Most waxes have a basic method of application, apply a small amount with a wax pad do small sections of the car at a time and buff off with a clean microfiber when it begins to haze.

Also +1 for Meguiars Gold Class soap. Best soap for the price!

Click to expand...

You did your homework josh where did you studied all this ?