When it comes to cleaning 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 your floor mat. You just think it will rot wherever it’s placed. Here are some suggestions for those who love to maintain your vehicle’s exterior with the ease of a professional.
Are there any general guidelines I should be following?
Yes. If you’re in the realm of car enthusiasts and washing your vehicle is like chicken soup to your heart then there are a few things you should think about. The process of washing your car can be simple and enjoyable, and frequent washing can help a fresh paint job retain its luster. While it’s as simple the task of washing your vehicle appear, there are things to be aware of to ensure that you don’t damage or scratch the paint. Below are some simple car-washing guidelines.
- Shade will be your best friend. Your vehicle’s surface must be cool. If your car is too hot the soap suds may dry too quickly, leaving stains on the car’s surface and needing another wash. The pleasure of washing your car can go to the point of having it done once on your lunch break.
- Pre-soak. Pre-soak your car to get rid of debris, bug shrapnel and other heavy contaminants such as bottles of water, rocks, McDonald’s wrappers and bunny remains.
- Douse mild liquid, the best car wash soap and a soft car wash glove or a different towel that is that is designed to preserve the shine of your car’s paint. Make sure to replenish your water frequently.
- Patience young Jedi. It is common to just soap the entire car before getting to work. Negative ghost riders Wash a portion at a stretch, and then rinse it out. It is best to start with the roof of your car, then work your way to the hood and rear. It is logical to work from top down instead of creating more work for yourself.Next take care to take care to clean the upper quarter panels before moving to the lower sections including the rocker panel. Lower areas of your vehicle is always stuffed with some extra “stuff” on it and the longer time you soak your sponge when you move down will assist in eliminating the crud. The sequence from top to bottom is important as you risk getting small bits of debris stick to the sponge or mitt which can cause scratches to your vehicle.
- Take your hands off of the hose! This is the most difficult advice since it’s a human diligence necessity. Everyone wants to place the mitt or the cloth back into the water and then rinse it out in order to soak up the soapy water. T his is bad! Always rinse your sponge or your mitt before returning it to the bucket to wash it to clean. Begin with clean water and finish with fresh water. The act of dipping your dirty mitt in the bucket will 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 your solution.
- Rinse, rinse, rinse. Clean your car thoroughly and all over. If you are content and believe you’re finished, you can go on and wash it one more time.
- Rims as well as tires. Your car washing drawer should contain a variety of different cloths and mitts inside it. We highly recommend that you use a different glove to wash the rims and tires of your car , as opposed to the body. Using a different mitt specifically for the wheels can reduce the likelihood that you’ll scratch your car’s paint by rubbing it with brake dust and dirt that 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 into the bodyshop for your car once you’re finished.
- Wheels. They are your joy and pride. Be careful when cleaning your wheels, particularly when you’re using a aerosol wheel cleaner. Wheels can get extremely hot when the vehicle is just being driven or parked in the sunlight. If you spray cleaning chemicals onto metallic surfaces, chemical evaporate and you’ll likely breathe the fumes. It’s obvious that this isn’t good for your health and, depending on the temperature and chemical, you may result in damage to items like Chrome and specific coatings.
- Don’t purchase expensive auto cleaners. Instead, choose the mild liquid soap that has been dilute. This will do everything you needto do, like getting rid of grease, dirt, and film without harming plastics or other substances. There are many people who use household soaps , but you must be cautious not to use a strong detergent. Use mild soaps and if possible , choose one which is safe for your car. The biggest advantage is that it’s going to cost you less than highly-priced auto detailing products.
- The process of drying. Dry your vehicle promptly to avoid spots of water. Chamois is very effective and will allow you to navigate quickly through a vehicle which may have sun shining on it.
What happens next after I wash my vehicle?
It is recommended to follow the wash procedure by applying wax and washing the windows outside and inside. Applying wax to your vehicle is similar to applying sunscreen to your skin. It offers protection against UV Rays to stop the paint from fading, and any other particles that might get on the paint.
You’ll be able to maintain your high gloss finish for a longer period of time. There are waxes available in both a polymer and carnauba form. Both kinds of wax work similar functions, however polymer wax doesn’t be hazy when it is dried and is usually removed quickly after application. The choice between the carnauba wax or polymer wax the same as making the choice between regular or synthetic engine oil. Polymer is higher in cost, but it’s more easy 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 to get Windex and other glass cleaners. They may contain ammonia, which could damage your car’s window tint. Make sure you use your best car window cleaner to get the best results, and then clean the window twice to ensure that the cleaner is completely removed. In the event of a crisis it’s possible to apply dilute solution of white vinegar as it’s a low-cost, natural and healthy household cleaner which should not leave any streaks.
Tips and last thoughts…
Don’t… move your sponge or mitt in circles. This could cause light visible scratches, known as swirl marks. Instead, drag the sponge in a long way across the body’s hood and other panels. If your sponge falls wash it off thoroughly. Do not reapply a sponge after it has fallen to the ground or sunk into the polluted water. Make sure to clean out your bucket.
Keep your car shining. If you’re about to be unable to sleep due to the thought of taking your freshly waxed vehicle out to complete an errand, or (God forbid!) take it to work then you’ll need to have some items at hand to maintain your shine. There are many sprays that are designed to eliminate every day particles and keep your wax looking great. Throw this along with a micro-fiber cloth in your trunk, and you’re ready.