***Designed for daily drivers with no ceramic coating – but who still deserve protection.***

Keeping a vehicle clean and protected doesn’t require ceramic coatings, but it does require attention to technique, the right chemicals, and always following up with some form of surface protection. This guide walks you through a full safe-wash process tailored for non-coated vehicles — the kind of daily drivers most clients bring in. Using the proper pre-wash, wash, and sealant steps ensures you’re not just cleaning the car, but also enhancing shine, minimizing swirl marks, and extending the health of the clear coat.

Even for non-coated cars, we always recommend finishing with a sealant or spray coating to leave behind a hydrophobic, UV-resistant layer. Below is a breakdown of recommended tools and products, followed by the step-by-step process.

🔧 Sample Materials & Products

Wheel & Tire Cleaner (Dual-Use or Dedicated):

  • Dual-purpose:

    • P&S Brake Buster

    • Vonixx Vexus Wheel & Engine Cleaner

  • Dedicated wheel cleaner:

    • Gyeon Q²M Iron Wheel Cleaner

  • Dedicated tire cleaner:

    • Adam’s Tire & Rubber Cleaner

Pre-Wash (For heavily soiled vehicles):

  • Alkaline:

    • Gyeon Q²M Foam

    • Carpro Lift

  • Acidic:

    • P&S Enviro Clean (diluted 1:4)

Shampoo (Main wash):

  • pH-neutral:

    • Clean. by Pan the Organizer Shampoo

    • Quivr Rogue

    • P&S Pearl

    • Adam’s Car Shampoo

  • Alkaline (if skipping pre-wash):

    • Gyeon Q²M Restart Wash

Wash Mitt:

  • Gyeon Smoothie Wash Mitt (my favorite!)

Drying Towel: Gyeon Silk Dryer

  • The Rag Company Gauntlet

  • Blackline Twisted-Look Drying Towel

  • Quivr *Not a Beach Towel

Drying Aid (Optional):

  • Gyeon Q²M Ceramic Detailer

  • P&S Bead Maker

Sealant/Protective Spray (Essential):

  • P&S Bead Maker (glossy, slick)

  • Clean. by Pan the Organizer Ceramic Spray Sealant

  • Quivr Hot Coat

  • For vehicles with PPF: Gyeon PPF Maintain

  • Gyeon Wet Coat

  • McKee’s 37 Hydro Blue

Tire Shine:

  • Gyeon Q² Tire

  • Clean. by Pan the Organizer Tire Shine

Interior (Quick Detail):

  • Interior cleaner:

    • Clean. Interior Detailer

    • P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner (APC)

  • Optional:

    • Gyeon Leather Coat for UV protection on leather

    • Gyeon Fabric Coat for UV protection on fabrics & textiles

🪣 Step-by-Step Process

1. Start with the Wheels & Tires
Always clean your wheels and tires first to prevent brake dust and grime from splashing onto clean paint later. Spray a dual-use product like P&S Brake Buster or Vonixx Vexus onto both wheels and tires, allowing it to dwell for 1–2 minutes. Use a stiff tire brush for the sidewalls and soft brushes for the wheel face and barrels. Rinse thoroughly before moving on. If you’re using Gyeon Iron Wheel Cleaner, which targets embedded ferrous particles, be sure the surface is cool and don’t let it dry.

2. Pre-Wash (Optional but recommended for dirty or bug-heavy cars)

Apply alkaline pre-wash foam like Gyeon Q²M Foam or P&S Citrus Blast using a foam cannon. Let it dwell for 3–5 minutes to loosen grime.
Rinse thoroughly.
If the car has heavy mineral contamination or water spotting, do a panel-by-panel pre-clean with P&S Enviro Clean diluted 1:4. Never let pre-wash products dry on the surface.

3. Main Contact Wash

Using the two-bucket method, fill your wash bucket with a pH-neutral shampoo like Quivr Rogue, P&S Pearl, Clean. by Pan, or Adam’s Car Shampoo. If you skipped pre-wash, use Gyeon Restart Wash for stronger cleaning power.

Using your Gyeon Smoothie Wash Mitt, work from top to bottom using straight-line motions. Rinse the mitt in your rinse bucket between panels. Avoid scrubbing lower panels until last to reduce swirl potential.

4. Rinse & Dry

Rinse thoroughly from top to bottom.
Dry using a high-quality towel like the Gyeon Silk Dryer, TRC Gauntlet, Blackline Twisted, or Quivr “Not a Beach Towel.”
Optionally, use a drying aid like Gyeon Ceramic Detailer or P&S Bead Maker while drying to add lubrication and enhance gloss.

5. Apply Sealant (Protection Strongly Encouraged on Non-Coated Cars)

Apply a sealant immediately after drying to ensure your clear coat has protection. Options include:

  • P&S Bead Maker – slick and glossy

  • Clean. Ceramic Spray Sealant – durable and user-friendly

  • Quivr Hot Coat – ceramic-based, quick-flash

For vehicles with PPF, use a coating-safe option like Gyeon PPF Maintain, Gyeon Wet Coat, or McKee’s 37 Hydro Blue.
Spray onto a microfiber, apply to one panel at a time, then buff with a second towel.

6. Dress the Tires

Restore a clean, dark finish with Gyeon Q² Tire or Clean. Tire Shine. Apply evenly with a foam applicator, let dwell, and level any excess to avoid sling.

7. Quick Interior Detail (Optional)

For a fresh cabin feel, use Clean. Interior Detailer or P&S Xpress Interior Cleaner (APC) on all non-fabric interior surfaces.
Spray directly onto a towel and wipe down dashboards, door panels, trim, and steering wheels.
For additional protection:

  • Use Gyeon Leather Coat on seats

  • Use Gyeon Fabric Coat on floor mats or cloth upholstery

💡 Final Pro Tips

  • Always wash in the shade and on a cool surface.

  • Never let soap or foam dry on the paint.

  • Use separate mitts and towels for wheels, paint, and interior.

  • Even non-coated vehicles must be sealed to preserve clear coat and make future washes easier.