You can keep your car in the best condition possible by washing it regularly, which is pretty straightforward. Moreover, washing your car gives you something productive to do right in your driveway!
Using the right tools is crucial in getting the outcome that you desire. To start, you should get three buckets: one with soap water, a rinsing bucket, and a wheel cleaner bucket to maximize efficiency.
1. Prep the Surfaces
While washing cars there is a risk of causing damage, and for that reason proper preparations must be performed together with effective techniques that reduce swirl marks and other damages that could ruin the quality of the paint.
Obtain an adjustable spray nozzle hose and give your vehicle a pre-rinse that includes powered water that can target the wheel wells and undercarriage where dirt is likely to sit.
Each washing session should be accompanied by a set of supplies that will include, but not be limited to, bucket, car shampoo, microfiber wash mitt or sponge, and drying towels. Preparing makes the entire process seamless, ensuring that you do not have any unnecessary interruptions.
Avoid using dishwashing soap or window cleaner on your vehicle’s exterior; these can damage the protective wax coating. You can use automotive soap like Garage Therapy’s /ONE: Car Shampoo V2 instead. Soft, natural sponges or lambswool mitts with rinse holes work best as they reduce the risk of scratching the paint. For spot cleaning, disinfecting wipes are a great choice for high-contact areas such as cup holders and the steering wheel.
2. Clean the Outside
Maintaining the condition of your vehicle requires thorough cleaning on a regular basis. This includes cleaning both the interior and exterior of the vehicle. A good, regular washing routine can prevent overspray, bird droppings, and road grime from damaging the paint, and it also makes future cleaning significantly easier.
Pick a calm, dry day to clean your vehicle, as this allows you to conserve water while also prevents dirt from blowing in. If possible, work in a garage or walled-off area to prevent contamination from other vehicles.
Prepare two buckets with the correct amounts of car shampoo and water while checking its back label. Get your soak washing cloths like chamois or microfiber towels and rinse washing cloths like a squeegee; work from the top down to avoid soap splotches on areas that have already been cleaned and rinse to get rid of remaining grit, bugs, and tar as needed. Rinse out remaining areas for scrub cleaning until no areas are left uncleaned; you may use a low acid or low pH cleaner for more stubborn organic soils as well if required.
3. Wash the Interior
After wetting the exterior of the car, wash all surfaces with a mild degreaser followed by sponge or mitt cleaning to access all nooks and crannies while working from top down for better results with regular rinsing in between.
Don’t forget to use disinfecting wipes if there are kids or pets in the car to clean the door panels and steering wheel which are high dirt collection areas because of their frequent touch.
Final Step: Wipe down the lights and windows using a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. If there are tough bird droppings or tree sap stains, rub some alcohol on it before wiping.
When done, rinse your vehicle so the soap suds do not dry on the newly cleaned surfaces and also to prevent water spots. Using a chamois or a cotton cloth, dry the vehicle from top down and afterward cover it with To The Max Wax for protection.
4. Detail The Interior
New or pre-owned, your vehicle’s interior will remain in brand new condition with regular detailing. From shampooing carpets and leather seats, regular detailing helps in removing tough stains, minimizing odors and allergens, and maximizing the driving experience.
The first step is to clean and protect leather surfaces with Detail King’s Leather Magic and stiff brush and vacuum them thoroughly. If necessary, pressure wash them. For plastic or rubber floor mats, pressure washing is the best method to remove mélange of grit and dirt particles. Leather mats should be treated with Detail King’s Leather Magic for surface care and cleaning.
Next, clean the interior windows with a glass cleaner and ensure the car is cleaned inside and out. Work on the dashboard, center console, the outside door panels, and any exposed hard plastic areas with a material-appropriate cleaner applied to a microfiber towel. Pay special attention to the handles, knobs, and buttons. To polish the car, clean the steering wheel, cup holders and air vents, then repeat steps to remove stubborn stains. Vary the order of steps for interior detailing in a car. When cleaning interiors, working in the shade will give better results.
5. Dry the Exterior
When drying your car after a wash, be mindful of the tools, methods, and strategies used to make the car sparkle because there is a certain way of going about it. Not paying keen attention can lead to water spots being left on the surface and making the car lose its ‘showroom’ like shine.
Please avoid dragging your towel over the paint, this will cause scratches and swirl marks. Using premium microfiber towels is the best option. When they are used with drying aids such as Chemical Guys’ After Wash, the towels retain moisture better and help wipe away more water, making it a win-win situation.
Break the work into portions to prevent the soap from drying too early and creating water marks. Wash the car starting from the top – this is because gravity is on your side and you will not need to worry for places already dried from renewing wet due to dripping from higher sections of the car.
When your car has dried, do not forget to check the interior for leftover splash marks from cleaning. Now check the door sills and jambs as you are fully sealing the car. Lastly, squeegee the car softly with a paint scrape squeegee to add additional protection to the car while removing any leftover water spots.
