Careful car owners are all too aware of how important proper maintenance is. However, one area that even they may overlook is car washing. In fact, washing your car is more than just making it look clean. It can also help keep it protected for the long term…
Car Washing: Performing Routine Maintenance
What to get
Car washing requires a few basic components. Of course, you’ll need a sponge, a towel, buckets (one with soapy water and one with clean water), and a rag for stuck-on dirt and stains. You might also want to get a special brush and cleaner for your tires, as well as some wax or polish to put on after you’re done cleaning.
A common question people have is about the soap they use. Mainly, they want to know if dish soap is fine for cleaning their car. The answer is no, and it’s because this soap can erode and damage the pain and protective coating. Instead, you want to use car soap which many car parts shops sell.
Performing the wash
Good car washing means first getting your car ready. Before you do any washing, you’ll want to place your car in a shaded area to avoid sun spots. Next, rinse it off with some clean water, and run a rag or towel over it to remove some surface dirt and grime. Then, tackle the wheels first, as they will be the most dirty parts.
From there, it’s relatively straightforward, as you take the soapy sponge or towel and wash the rest of your car. Try to tackle one section at a time rather than the entire car at once. Also, watch how you wash the car. It’s best to lightly scrub in straight, even lines, as circular motions can create swirl marks.
Finishing up
The last part of car washing is drying and applying polish. You won’t want to just let the car air dry, as this can cause damage to the paint coating. Instead, just take a towel and use it to dry off the car. Do this in the same way you did the washing, by going in straight, even lines.
Then, it helps to apply some polish or wax. Polish helps keep your car shiny, while the wax adds extra protection to the finish. You can apply polish after any wash. However, wax is best applied seasonally.Car