Cleaning your car may not be the most fun thing that most people can think of doing but it needs to be done to keep your car in good condition. You could take the lazy route and visit the local car wash but you will get a better finish if you do it yourself.
Automatic car washes are not as gentle as a hand wash, and whilst you could pay a local garage to do a hand wash, it’s not cheap. Additionally, if you wash the car yourself you get to see what condition it is in and can make sure you do something about it.
To clean your car you need specialist car wash liquid. Dish washing soap is too harsh on your rubber and it can ruin the wax too so stay don’t use it. You will also need a microfibre car cleaning cloth or a wash mitt because they are more gentle than a sponge.
Two buckets are required and a chamois leather or specialist microfibre drying cloth to take excess moisture off your vehicle. Remember to position your car in the shade because direct sunlight can dry it too quickly and leave a spotty finish. Also ensure the car is cool before you start.
Difficult-to-remove marks such as dead bugs will need pre-treatment with an undiluted car wash soap or you could use a specialist bug remover. The wheels will also need cleaning before the bodywork. A sponge is fine for wheels or you could use an old mitt. Remember not to use the same mitt as you will be using for the body because dirt from the wheels could create scratches. Soft brushes are also fine. You can get specialist wheel cleaning products if you are after a professional finish.
With the body, rinse it first with water, removing any snagged leaves as you go. Fill one of your buckets with water and the other with your soap mix and clean small sections of the car working from the top down. Every time you need more soapy water on the mitt, rinse it first in the pure water bucket to the risk of putting dirt back on the car. Be gentle with your motions because if you push too hard you can scratch the car by pressing dirt into the paintwork.
A good rinse with pure water is now required before you dry the car. To do this you should spread out the cloth and drag it gently over the surface. You can use detailing towels to remove excess water.
If you found during cleaning that the car didn’t bead water as you cleaned it, it will obviously need car polish and wax. Car polish must be applied carefully, as does wax but it will help protect the car from paint damage and give it the amazing look you are after.
