Washing Your Car

Keeping your car looking its best is a good part of appropriate car care. This is called ‘detailing’ and involves much more than simply washing and waxing the exterior of your car, but washing and waxing is just the beginning. Detailing your car can be relaxing and the least hard part of your car care.  Though it may take several hours to properly perform a complete car detail, it still remains simple.

Begin your car detailing by washing the car. You will need a few simple supplies to perform a good car wash. You will need a bucket, appropriate car washing soap (do not use hand soap, dish soap, laundry soap etc. as these can over time break down the cars shine; the upper coat of the exterior paint) Use only soap and washing products that are designed specifically for washing you car. You can purchase car washing soap from your local car repair and parts shop or even at a local general store. You will need a garden hose available or a second bucket of water to rinse the soap off of the car later. Finally you will need a soft sponge or rag to wash with. Fill the bucket with the precise amount of washing soap required and then fill the bucket with water. Begin by washing the car, starting from the top at the roof. Use side-to-side washing strokes and don’t apply any undue pressure except on tough spots such as insects and road tar, etc. Wash the roof and then work your way down each side of the car. Rinse the soap off as you finish washing each section. Be sure to wash the windows and mirrors well as you wash the car from top to bottom. Also wash well on and around the door handles. When you have washed the car from top to bottom completely, and rinsed well as you’ve gone along each section of the car, you should now concentrate on washing the front grill and headlights, the rear brake lights and plates. After you have removed all of the dirt and dust from these areas, be sure to rinse well. These areas tend to acquire a build up of oil and dust from the road during driving.  Next go to your cars wheels. Here you will find excess oil and dirt that has also been obtained during road driving. Use lots of soapy water in this area. Wash the outside of the wheel then wash the tire rims. When washing the wheel rims, be sure to clean deep inside any crevices and holes. Be sure you completely remove all oil and dust from your wheels and rims. Rinse well. Finally your car is washed properly and should be looking clean and sharp. But one more step remains, drying. You should use an appropriate soft towel that will not leave lint behind as you dry, streaks or unsightly water spots on your clean car. When drying use a back and forth motion, drying in circles can leave behind streaks. If you have a windshield squeegee, then use it to dry the windows so that no streaks or lint are left behind. Using a good microfiber towel dry the entire car. One dry is enough to leave your car looking nice and well cared for, but two or even three dries will remove streaks and lint.  You can purchase microfiber towels at your local car repair and parts shop.