When it comes time to wash your vehicle it’s a love/hate affair. You either love your car as a pastime and it’s your joy and pride or you are averse to the idea of cleaning the floor mat, and think it will rot wherever it is. This article will provide some helpful tips for those who love to maintain your vehicle’s exterior with the ease of a professional.
Are there any general rules I should be following?
Yes. If you’re part of the group of awe-struck and cleaning your vehicle is like chicken soup that soothes your soul then there are a few things you must consider. The process of washing your car can be fun and easy, and regular washing can help a fresh paint job maintain its shine. However, as easy as washing your car might appear, there are things to be aware of to ensure you don’t damage or ruin the appearance of the paint. Here are some of the most basic car washing guidelines.
- Shade can be your best friend. Your vehicle’s surface should be cool. If your car is heated the soap suds may dry too quickly, leaving stains on the surface , and may require another wash. The pleasure of washing your car can go beyond doing it once during your lunch break.
- Pre-soak. Pre-soak your car to get rid of debris, bug shrapnel and heavy pollutants like water bottles, rocks McDonald’s wrappers and even bunny remains.
- Douse mild liquid, the best car wash soap and an easy car wash mitt or any other type of towel that is designed to preserve your paint’s shine. Make sure to replenish your water frequently.
- Patience young Jedi. We usually just wash the entire vehicle and go to work. Negative ghost riders is to wash a small section at a stretch, and then wash it off. Start by cleaning the roof of your vehicle, and then move to the hood and rear. It is logical to do this top-down, to avoid creating additional work for yourself.Next take care to cleanse the upper quarter panel before moving to the lower sections including the rocker panels. Lower areas of your vehicle is always stuffed with some extra “stuff” on it and the longer pre-soak you use as you progress down will eliminate the sludge. The sequence from top to bottom is important as you risk getting small bits of debris stick to your sponge or mitt, which could cause scratches to your car.
- Get rid of your mitt! This is the most difficult advice since it’s a human diligence obligation. Everyone wants to take the cloth or mitt back in the water, and then rinse it out as it soaks up more soapy water. T his is bad! Make sure to rinse off your sponge or mitt prior to placing it back into the bucket of wash to be re-soaped. Begin with clean water and finish with fresh water. The act of dipping your dirty mitt in your bucketis a great way to help to apply the grime back to your vehicle. If you’ve ever thought about why your car’s streaking when you wash it, this is the answer.
- Rinse, rinse, rinse. Clean your car thoroughly and completely. If you are happy and feel that you’ve done with the rinse, head back and wash it a second time.
- Tires, rims. Your car washing drawer should contain a variety of different cloths and mitts inside it. We strongly suggest that you use a different glove to wash your wheels and tires of your car , as opposed to the body. A separate mitt for your wheels reduces the possibility that you’ll scratch your paint of your car with brake dust or dirt you get off the wheels. You’ll be amazed at that many people are using identical water as well as mitts to wash and rinse everything. It’s a good idea to take a drive towards the car body repair shop once you’re finished.
- Wheels. Ah, your greatest joy and pleasure. Be careful when cleaning your wheels, particularly when you’re using a Spray-on cleaner for your wheels. Wheels can get extremely hot when the vehicle was just driven on or is sitting in the sunlight. If you spray cleaning chemicals onto heated metals, substances are likely to evaporate and you’ll likely breathe the fumes. This is not a good idea for your health and, dependent on the temperature and chemical, it could cause damage to certain products like Chrome and specific coatings.
- DO NOT purchase the expensive automotive cleaners. Instead, choose the mild liquid soap that has been dilute. This will accomplish all the tasks you require, including getting rid of grease, dirt, and film without harming plastics or other substances. Many people make use of soaps that are used in the home, but you should be aware not to use a strong detergent. Choose mild soaps, and, if you can, find one which is safe for your car. The major benefit is that it’ll cost you less than highly-priced auto detailing products.
- The process of drying. Dry your vehicle quickly to avoid water spots. Chamois is very effective and will allow you to move swiftly through a car with sun’s rays on it.
What should I do after I clean my vehicle?
The wash should be completed procedure by waxing and cleaning your windows inside and outside. Applying wax to your vehicle is like applying sunscreen to your skin. It offers protection against UV Rays to stop fade and also anything that could be absorbed by the paint.
You’ll be able to maintain your high-gloss finish for a greater duration. It is available in either a carnauba or a polymer form. Both types of wax function exactly the same way, however, polymer wax doesn’t get hazy as it dries, and is usually wiped off shortly after application. The choice between the carnauba wax or polymer wax the same as selecting regular or synthetic engine oil. A polymer is more costly, but it is also simpler to apply and is more effective.
For glass The rules for glass are quite easy. Beware of the thing you’re most likely to do which is take out Windex or other household glass cleaners. They may contain ammonia, which could harm your car’s tint. Make sure you use your best car window cleaner to get the best results. Make sure you clean the window twice to ensure the cleaner has been completely removed. In the event of a crisis you could make use of diluted white vinegar solution since it’s a low-cost, natural cleanser for your home that is likely to be streak-free.
Final thoughts and suggestions…
Don’t… move your sponge or mitt in circles. This can result in small visible scratches known as swirl marks. Instead, you should move the sponge in a long way across the body’s hood and other panels. If your sponge is dropped wash it off thoroughly. Do not reapply a sponge after it has fallen to the ground or been soaked in dirty soapy water. Make sure to clean out your bucket.
Keep your car shining. If you’re likely to fall asleep at night due to the thought of taking your freshly waxed car to do some errands or (God forbid!) get to work then you’ll be tempted to keep some tools at hand to maintain your shine. There are a variety of spray mists available to help remove every day dirt and help keep your wax at its best. Put this and a microfiber cloth in your trunk, and you’ll be ready.
