How to Detail the Exterior of a Car

First begin by thoroughly rinsing the car, mainly around your wheel wells, and inside of them, and your front grill.

Fill your wash bucket with water, soap, and I recommend 2 micro fibers. You will want to start with the roof of your vehicle, lots say to start at the bottom, but this will leave you with scratches. Figure out a pattern that keeps you from missing spots, if your car is drying faster than you can wash it, spray some water on your vehicle to keep it damp, you don't want soap drying on your vehicle.

You will want to wash by panel, and rinsing your rags with each panel, and if you get into anything with heavy dirt, give your towel a good rinse with the hose, your car will appreciate it. Once the car is washed over fully and rinsed, you can take a quick break.

Now you can begin with your tires and wheels while the bulk of water dries from your vehicle. Scrub the tire first, then proceed to the rim, once this is done get your wheel wells, you would be surprised at the difference in the appearance of your car with clean wheel wells ;) repeat this for all 4 tires/rims/wheel wells. Spray them with foaming tire cleaner and let set while you move onto the next step (this cleaner does not need to be rinsed)

Now you can begin drying your car, you can use micro fibers or a chamomile. Either works just as nicely, micro fibers are much cheaper though. NEVER use a squeegee or one of those "miracle blades" these will scratch your car worse than you can imagine.

Once the car is dry you can go back over it with a detailer spray if you would like, this will make a wax job last a lot longer when done regularly with car washes. Even if you choose not to, you can use a damp towel and dry towel to go over your car and clean up water spots by spot cleaning.