Washing your car is one of those chores that is actually more fun than work if you go at it with the right attitude! There is something viscerally satisfying about spraying away the road grime and grit it has collected with fresh clean water, then gently soaping it all down, it’s actually a relaxing way to spend a sunny day! There are some tricks to the process, however, that we will now share!
Not Too Hot – While that bright sunny day is the most pleasant time to wash your car, When the body is really heated, such as immediately after driving or after being parked outside in the sun for a number of hours, it is advisable to avoid doing it. Your shades for windows will help protect the interior, but when the body is left out in the open too long the heat will speed up the soap and water’s drying process, which will make it more difficult to get it clean and increase the chances of unsightly water spots forming.
Rinse Well First – Before you begin washing be sure to rinse all of the car’s surfaces completely with water to remove dust, dirt, and debris that might cause scratching. Be careful that you don’t miss anything, rinse each area completely before moving on to the next one. Give the entire car a thorough dousing before you begin soaping.
Soap It Up – Now it’s time to get the sponge nice and soapy and go to work! Be sure to use a safe automotive use cleaning product instead of just dish soap, which can harm paint. Start at the front and work your way back. Never move the cleaning sponge in circles, It may leave behind swirl marks, which are faint but noticeable scratches. Stretch the sponge longitudinally across the panels of the body. If you accidentally drop the sponge on the ground don’t use it again without thoroughly rinsing it out, the paint may be scratched by the filthy particles it can collect! Be sure to clean the sponge out occasionally in a separate bucket so you aren’t just rubbing old crud back on! You can give stubborn grimy spots a second pass after they have softened up a bit.
Rinse It All Off – Time to get the hose again, arguably the funniest part of the process! Spray the top first, then proceed to the rest of the vehicle. Make use of a wide-spray hose nozzle that is adjustable. When rinsing, direct the water to flow over the car from top to bottom. This will reduce water pooling and create a sheeting motion that will remove soap from the body, making drying easier.
Time To Dry – It’s really not a good idea to just let the car air dry, it can leave unsightly watermarks that are caused by minerals in the water– towel it all off! Use a soft terry towel or chamois instead of an abrasive towel that could create tiny scratches in the paint. Blot the water gently up rather than drag the towel or chamois across the paint, which can also cause scratches!
Now, sit back, crack open a cold one, and admire your squeaky-clean car!
