Whats the best car wash for removing dirt and mud on a car thats sat for a few years?

[R18Civic]

I'm curious as to what the best store bought soap for my situation is. I know the dirt isn't baked on because when it rains I can remove it with my fingertips.

I might borrow a power washer if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Oillover]

Try regular auto wash soap and if that doesn't work, go to a higher concentration of soap.

 

[Nukeman7]

I'm curious as to what the best store bought soap for my situation is. I know the dirt isn't baked on because when it rains I can remove it with my fingertips.

I might borrow a power washer if necessary.

Thanks in advance.

Use Dawn Ultra dish washing detergent and a terry cloth towel to remove the dirt after a good soaking with a hose to remove the mud. I would avoid the power washer if you don't want to destroy the clearcoat.

 

[Hall]

Use a power washer with a fairly "weak" tip and whatever dish soap you have in your kitchen.

 

[gman2304]

Assuming this is most likely a beater, Dawn liquid along with a couple of ounces of Simple Green.

 

[spasm3]

Whatever you have on hand. Dish soap , cheap car wash soap, no need to worry about stripping wax off. I'd wash it lightly once, I might even let it set with soapy water on it for a bit on a cloudy day. Then go with the pressure washer with a wide nozzle.

 

[atikovi]

I'd just spray it down with any water soluble degreaser like 409, Fantastik or Meguiars Super Degreaser.

 

[Dave9]

Expect to strip any wax off. Use a typical dish detergent, spray (not wipe) it on, let it sit a long time to soften up the grime. Reapply if it starts drying out.

After it has sat a couple hours, a pressure washer on a very low setting or even a plain old hose and sprayer end should be used to flush away as much as possible, only as much pressure as needed before the final step of using abrasive wiping with a soft cloth. When wiping, it helps to have a stream of water flowing on it to do more of the work rather than only wiping then rinsing.

You'll probably want to clay bar it next then put a sealant on.

 

[Johnmpb]

I have no experience with it but turtle wax max power I think it’s called let’s you control the concentration abg the higher you go the stronger it is (up to removing the protective wax layer)

 

[manicrodder]

I would use ONR detailer strength and let it dwell in the shade then do a regular ONR wash or two. ONR with wax may be even better.
I have had good luck with using this method and a microfiber mitt.

 

[Lubener]

Just use Dawn dish soap.

 

[RTexasF]

Start with a pressure washer and any car shampoo then hand wash with the same.

 

[The Critic]

Super Clean or Purple Power 1:1 in a pump sprayer. Allow it to dwell for as long as possible without drying on any surfaces. Pressure wash with a 40 deg tip. Repeat until as much debris as possible has been removed, then wash.

 

[vwmaniaman]

I use Camco Trailer wash and wax on tough cleaning jobs and it leaves a wax shine. It is amazing stuff and it won't hurt your paint.

 

[vwmaniaman]

They have it at Walmart in the camping section.

 

[Leo99]

I'd take it the automatic car wash.

 

[dkryan]

I'd take it the automatic car wash.

^^^^^^^^^

Any of the first 2 through 15 posts above before you even remotely consider taking it through an automatic car “wash!”

 

[Silver]

Well scrubbing it with anything is going to leave a lot of fine scratches. If I cared anything about the car I'd start with a pressure washer, driving it to one of the pressure washes if I had to.

 

[slomo]

Let it sit out in the rain. No rubbing and no buffing.