When it comes to cleaning your vehicle there is a love/hate relation. It’s either you love your vehicle as a pastime and it’s your joy and pride or you dread the thought of having to clean the floor mat, and believe that it will decay wherever it’s placed. This article will provide some helpful tips for the car enthusiast who wants to keep 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 car enthusiasts and washing your vehicle is like chicken soup to your heart then there are certain things to consider. Cleaning your car is fun and easy, and regular washing can help a fresh paint job retain its shine. However, as easy as washing your car can seem, there are points to keep an eye on to ensure that you don’t damage or scratch the paint. Here are some of the most basic car washing guidelines.
- Shade will be your best friend. Your vehicle’s surface should be cool. If your car is heated the soap suds will dry too quickly, leaving stains on the car’s surface and needing another wash. The pleasure of washing your car can go beyond doing it once during your day off.
- Pre-soak. Make sure your vehicle is pre-soaked to eliminate debris, bugs and other heavy contaminants such as 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 a different towel that is specifically designed to protect the shine of your paint. It is important to renew your water on a regular basis.
- Patience young Jedi. We usually just wash the entire car before getting to work. Negative ghost riders is to wash a small portion at a time and then wash it off. It is best to start by cleaning the roof of the vehicle, and then move to the hood and rear. It is logical to work from top down to avoid creating additional work for yourself.Next take care to take care to clean the upper quarter panels and then work your way down 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 as you move down will assist in eliminating this clump. The sequence of top to bottom is essential because you risk tiny pieces of debris stick to your sponge or mitt, which could damage your car.
- Take your hands off of the hose! This is the most difficult advice because it’s a diligence obligation. It is easy to take the cloth or mitt back into the water, and then rinse it as it soaks up more soapy water. T his is bad! Always rinse 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 you rub the dirt onto your vehicle. If you’ve ever wondered why your car is streaking when you wash it, this is the solution.
- Rinse, rinse, rinse. Clean your car thoroughly and all over. When you’re content and believe you’re finished, you can go on and rinse it a second time.
- Rims as well as tires. Your car washing drawer should contain a variety of different gloves and cloths inside it. We highly recommend that you use a different glove to wash the wheels and tires of your vehicle, and a different one for 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 or dirt you collect from the wheels. It’s surprising that many people are using identical water as well as mitts to wash and rinse everything. It’s possible to take a drive into the bodyshop for your car once you’re finished.
- Wheels. Ah, your joy and pride. Be cautious when cleaning your wheels, particularly when you’re using a aerosol wheel cleaner. Wheels can get extremely hot when the vehicle was just driven on or parked in the sunlight. If you spray cleaning chemicals onto metallic surfaces, substances evaporate and you’ll eventually breathe the fumes. This isn’t good for your health and, dependent on the temperature and chemical, you may result in damage to items such as Chrome or other specific coatings.
- Don’t purchase the expensive automotive cleaners. Instead, choose the mild liquid soap that has been dilute. This will do everything you needto do, like cleaning grease, dirt and film without harming plastics or other substances. Many people make use of household soaps, however you must be cautious to avoid using harsh detergent. Use mild soaps and if you can, choose one that is safe for vehicles. The biggest benefit is that it’ll cost less than the highly-priced auto detailing products.
- The process of drying. Dry your vehicle promptly to prevent the formation of water spots. Chamois is very effective and will allow you to move swiftly through a car which may have sun shining on it.
What should I do after I clean my vehicle?
The wash should be completed procedure by applying wax and cleaning your windows inside and outside. Applying wax on your vehicle is similar to applying sunscreen on your skin. It offers protection against UV Rays to stop the paint from fading, and any other particles that might be absorbed by the paint.
You’ll be able to maintain your high-gloss finish for a greater period of time. It is 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 wiped off shortly after application. The choice between the carnauba wax or the polymer is the same as selecting regular or synthetic engine oil. Polymer wax is more costly, but it is also more easy to apply and it performs better.
Glass The rules for glass are quite easy. Avoid what you’re destined to do, which is to get Windex or 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. Make sure you clean the window twice to ensure that the dirt is completely removed. In the event of a crisis you could make use of a white vinegar diluted solution since it’s an organic, low-cost cleanser for your home which should not leave any streaks.
Final thoughts and suggestions…
Don’t… move your sponge or mitt in circles. This can result in small but noticeable 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 clean it well. Do not reapply a sponge after it has fallen to the ground or sunk into dirty soapy water. It is a good idea to clean out your bucket.
Keep your car shining. If you’re about to fall asleep at night due to the idea of taking your freshly waxed car to do some errands or (God forbid!) take it to work you might be tempted to keep some tools at hand to maintain your shine. There are many sprays that are designed to eliminate everyday dirt and keep your wax at its best. Put this along with a microfiber cloth into the trunk and you’re ready.
