Our Easy 5 Step Exterior Car Cleaning Process to Clean Your Car Like a Pro
- TMD Detailing
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Want your car looking spotless without overcomplicating things? This is our easy but effective 5 step cleaning process to get your vehicle fresh, safe, and swirl-free using professional products and techniques.
Step 1: Wheels & Tyres
Purpose: Your wheels collect the heaviest dirt including brake dust and road grime. Cleaning them first prevents this grime from flicking back onto clean panels later in the wash. Tyres should also be cleaned properly before applying any dressing for long-lasting results.
What you'll need:
Wheel cleaner
Wheel brush (for barrels)
Mini wash mitts (for behind spokes)
Detailing brushes (for wheel nuts and tight areas)
Tyre dressing
Tyre dressing applicator pad
Recommended products:
How to:
Spray wheel cleaner generously onto wheels and tyres. Don’t forget inside the barrels and on the tyre walls.
Use the wheel brush for barrels, mini mitts and detailing brushes for spokes, nuts, and tight areas.
Rinse thoroughly, making sure all cleaner is removed.
Once the car is fully washed and dried, apply tyre dressing using a foam applicator for a clean, satin finish.
Tip: Clean wheels first to avoid flinging dirt onto clean bodywork later and work on one wheel at a time so the cleaner doesn’t dry out on hot surfaces.
Step 2: Pre-Wash
Purpose: The pre-wash stage safely removes loose dirt and grime from the
bodywork without physical contact. This reduces the risk of swirl marks and micro-scratches when you go in with a wash mitt later.
What you'll need:
Jet wash
Snow foam cannon or lance
Pressure washer
Recommended products:
How to:
Fill your foam cannon with the correct snow foam dilution and connect it to your pressure washer.
Apply a thick layer of snow foam across the car, including lower areas and grills.
Let the foam dwell for 5–10 minutes. This softens and breaks down grime so it can be rinsed away without touching the paint.
Rinse the car thoroughly, starting from the top and working your way down to flush away as much dirt as possible.
Tip: Avoid doing this in direct sun to stop the foam from drying and leaving streaks.
Step 3: Contact Wash (Two Bucket Method)
Purpose: This step removes any remaining dirt that snow foam didn’t loosen. The two-bucket method reduces the risk of scratching by keeping dirty water separate from your clean wash solution.
What you'll need:
Two buckets with grit guards (one for shampoo, one for rinsing)
Microfibre wash mitt
Car shampoo
Recommended products:
How to:
Add shampoo to one bucket with warm water, and fill a second bucket with clean rinse water.
Dip your mitt into the shampoo bucket and wash a small section of the car (start at the roof).
Rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket to release dirt, then reload it with clean shampoo and continue.
Work your way around the car from top to bottom saving the dirtiest areas for last. (like bumpers and sills)
Tip: Always use straight line motions when washing to avoid swirl marks. Rinse your mitt often and never reuse dirty water on clean panels.
Step 4: Drying
Purpose: Drying is the final stage to prevent water spotting and leave your paintwork looking clean and glossy. Using the right towel and technique is key to avoiding streaks or scratches.
What you'll need:
Ultra-absorbent microfibre drying towel
Microfiber Cloth (for trim, door shuts, and finishing)
Recommended products:
How to:
Gently lay the drying towel flat across a panel and drag it slowly to absorb water. Avoid scrubbing or rubbing.
Use a separate grey cloth to dry door shuts, mirrors, boot edges, and grills.
Tip: Use multiple cloths for different areas to avoid dragging dirt from trims onto clean paintwork.
Step 5 (Optional): Add Protection with Spray Wax
Purpose: A quick, easy way to protect your paint, add gloss, and make dirt and water sheet off next time, making your next wash faster and easier.
What you'll need:
Soft microfibre cloth
Spray wax or ceramic detailer
Recommended products:
How to:
Lightly mist the Ceramic Detailer directly onto your cloth.
Spread evenly with one side of the cloth.
Flip to a clean side and buff to a glossy, streak-free finish.
Work panel by panel until complete.
Tip: Apply in the shade on cool paintwork for the best results.
Extra Tools That Make Life Easier
To make your wash routine even smoother, we recommend adding a few extras:
Stubby Nose Foam Gun & Adaptors: Great for tight spaces and short-barrel control.
Detailing Hose Guides: Prevent your hose from getting stuck under the tyres while you move around the car.
Want help building a tailored car wash kit or a full detailing setup? We’ll help you pick exactly what you need!
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