Washing

Four things cover most washes: a high-foaming car wash soap like our M.O.A.B Car Wash, a microfiber wash mitt, two buckets with a grit guard, and a plush microfiber towel for drying. Add a foam cannon or foam gun once you want to speed up the loosening step and cut down on swirl marks. Our guide to the supplies you need for a DIY car wash walks through the full kit, and every wash chemical we make is formulated to lift dirt safely.

A soft microfiber wash mitt and a plush microfiber drying towel are the pieces of car wash equipment that make the biggest difference, since most wash scratches come from dragging dirt across the paint or drying with the wrong cloth. Pair them with a grit guard in your rinse bucket to keep loose dirt off the mitt on every pass. Take care of your microfiber, and it will take care of your paint, so our guide on how to clean microfiber towels covers washing them the right way so they stay soft and scratch-free.

You don't need one. Soap foams plenty in a two-bucket wash and cleans your vehicle safely on its own. What a foam cannon or foam gun adds is a touchless pre-wash: it coats the whole vehicle in a thick, clinging layer that dwells on the paint, encapsulating road grit and film so a good portion of it rinses away before your mitt ever makes contact. Since most wash scratches come from dragging that loose grit across the paint, clearing it first means fewer swirl marks over time. If you want to add that step, our walkthrough on how to wash your car with a foam cannon covers the full process.

Loose dirt is the main cause of scratches & swirl marks. A grit guard sits at the bottom of your rinse bucket and traps dirt below the ridges, so when you dunk your mitt, you are washing with only soap and water on every pass.

Yes. Our Waterless Wash cleans and shines light contaminants in one step with no rinsing, which makes it a good solution for water restrictions, indoor parking, or quick cleanups. Our guide on how to do a waterless car wash covers the technique so you avoid swirl marks.