Do a search on - car won't start after a wash - or similar.

Plenty of post-wash grief.

I use rags and kerosine (in a spray bottle) on metal parts and WD-40 on plastic and rubber parts.

I remove some parts like air cleaner box and distributor cap and plug wires and wash in hot soapy water - I do this first so that they can dry while I do the other cleaning.

Old socks make nice rags for tight spots. I wear nitrile gloves so that I can use both sides of the socks.

Cleaner wax can spiff up a lot of stuff.