Just trying to get my point across

What do you suggest instead of a sponge? I have to be careful as the alloys are painted and i don't want to scratch them.

I threw the sponge away years ago. They hold grit over time and can act like fine sandpaper. I use the Meg's lambs wool mits as they are super soft and if you rinse then between panels (two bucket wash) , you can get most of the dirt and grime out, thus less dirt going back onto the car etc.

I have two Meg's lambs wool mits. One for the paint work and one for the wheels (note: the mit for the wheels started out washing the car but as it aged, it became the wheel cleaner).

No matter how you wash your car, you will get some level of scratching, but how you wash your pride and joy, can minimise such. Remember, long lateral wash strokes, i.e. back and forward the length of the panel, not round and round. Any micro scratches will be harder to see as a result.

I have the same issue re lack of shade, thus it's always a late arvo car wash for me.

Greg uses a sponge on himself in the tub but the car gets the lanbs wool mit.

Just use a second sponge would be fine. Just make sure you only use it for the wheels

Here is my attempt to create some shade so i can properly wash and polish my car.

Its better then trying to polish in the dark. However i believe i need a larger gazebo.

Or you can just polish it under too.
They are cheap enough and can always come in handy at shows and day outs.

I did polish under it but i had to move my car around to make sure the panels i worked on were in the shade. My one is 3mx3m and rarely gets used. Let me know if you want me to bring it to car shows.

Dorothy, if you are worried about polishing or waxing hot panels just do 1 panel at a time