There is much more to washing your car than just going through the quick car wash down the street. If you want to protect your vehicle and keep your car shiny and clean, you need to wash your car the right way. Improper car washing techniques can cause scratches, strip off protective coating, and damage your vehicle’s paint. Here are some simple car washing tips:
1. Wash your car often, especially when you see contaminants like bird droppings, bug remains, dirt, and tree sap. Build-up of these materials can cause damage to your paint and decrease the value of your vehicle in the long run.
2. Rinse your car before you wash it to remove loose dirt and debris that could scratch your vehicle.
3. Always use car washing soap and not your household dish soap or other cleaners. Soaps that are not meant for car washing could damage your vehicle’s paint.
4. Use wash tools that are gentle for your car’s exterior. The easiest way to find a sponge or mitt is to look for ones that say they are specifically made for cars. Old, plain t-shirts make great tools as well.
5. Use two buckets. Fill one with soapy water and the other with clean water. When you’re ready to reload your sponge with soapy water, dip it into the clean water and rinse off the dirt. Then dip it in the clean soap and continue washing. This way you aren’t re-mixing the dirt with the clean soapy water.
6. Wash your car from top to bottom. Wash the top first so the dirt and debris trickle down the car. When you work bottom to top, dirty water will streak down the car and you’ll have to do the whole thing over again!
7. Use separate washing tools to clean your wheels and tires (If needed you can use wheel cleaner). There is a lot of debris that gets on the wheels and you don’t want it to spread to other parts of your vehicle. Be sure to clean between all the crevices for the best results.
8. Dry your car after washing to prevent water spots. Use a car-drying towel, like a shammy, that absorbs water. Take your car for a quick spin around the block after to allow any missed water spots to quickly air dry.
That’s it! Now you have a shiny and clean car. Be sure to keep these tips in mind when washing your car. If you have any other tips for us, share them in the comments below. For other car maintenance needs, feel free to schedule an appointment at Larry H. Miller Volkswagen Tucson. We’re happy to assist you in all things automotive.
