There are many ways to wash a classic car or truck. You can take it to the local car wash and let the machines spray your ride down. There are of course professional detailers that will clean your collector for the right price.
There are also waterless washing techniques that use a pre-mixed spray detailer that is used to heavily saturate a panel and then carefully wipe any dirt off for a dry shine. This is only a good solution for vehicles that are slightly dirty. You wouldn’t want to try this stuff after a day of mudding with your truck.
The last commonly used method to wash a classic car or truck is in your driveway with a sponge and a bucket of soapy water.
ClassicCars.com did a recent poll of classic car owners that showed most owners preferred the good ol’ bucket of water, soap and a sponge. 71% of those questioned said this is how they cleaned their collector cars.
Surprisingly, 21% preferred to use the waterless method. It is apparently becoming a more and more popular way to make your prized possession shine. It does make sense that this would be a great option if you live in an area where there are water shortages and droughts, like in California. It really is an eco-friendly way to get the same results as a traditional water wash.
The next 5% used the local car wash. If you are going to take your car to a local car wash, you need to do some serious research first to find a reliable and safe car wash. It would take a lot of trust and faith in the equipment not to damage your vehicle. We feel local car washes are fine for daily drivers but would be nervous to run a $20,000 paint job through an automatic wash.
The final 3% used professional detailers to clean their classics. This is a little pricier option but is a great option if you want it done right without doing it yourself. Chances are they are going to wash it by hand with water or possibly a waterless solution. Bottom line, you are paying someone to do the job for you.
If you are looking for advice on how to clean your classic car or truck, we have an article that details the best way to wash your classic using water. We also have a great article that discusses how to prevent paint swirls when washing and drying your classic car.
If you would like to learn more about using the waterless method, we found a step by step guide on how to do a waterless car wash yourself. Regardless of the method, it is important to keep your classic collectors looking their best. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and clean your classic! Summer is here, and your classic will appreciate the attention!