Great advice here.
I'll add a little more tagged on to the already excellent instructions.
1) Rinse car off
2) Wash using 2 bucket technique and lambswool wash mitt - using plenty of suds with warm water and cold water in your rinse bucket.
3) Rinse car
4) Clay bar your car - a kit can be picked up for about £10 from Halfords called Meguiars Quick Detailing Kit and it will remove all contaminants on your car (tar / tree sap etc etc). You can do this whilst your car is wet from rinsing as it aids the clay moving along each panel. Make sure you always move the clay in straight lines toward the front and rear of the car to avoid swirl marks.
5) Rinse car again - wash if your proper anal.
6) Use open end of the hose to sheet the water off the car and reduce the amount of drying required.
7) Dry car using a good waffle weave towel - I use a flexiblade to help remove alot of the water and use the towel to finish off.
8) Now polish using applicator pad and microfibre / terry towel to remove. Again move in straight lines, never circular.
9) If you are going to use a polymer based sealant, now is the time to apply it. Apply one or two coats according to the manufacturers instructions.
9) Then if you want a little more shine now wax using applicator pad and microfibre / terry towel to remove
A few good products you can use are as follows.
Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo
Carlack 68 Sealant Kit for those hot summer months
R222 Carnauba Wax formally known as P21S
Sonus Sheepskin Wash Mitt
Miracle Dryer - Ultra Plush 25" x 36"
Microfibre Detailing Cloth
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