DIY Tips: At-Home Car Washing

Many of us feel satisfaction from washing our vehicles and thereby saving a few dollars. Simple acts of washing your automobile will improve your feelings of pride and satisfaction because it makes one of your most expensive items appear clean and shiny. But there's more to doing your car's washing than just dumping soap and water into the bucket and then scrubbing away. Here are some suggestions on how to clean your car in the right manner without damaging or scratching the surface.



When should I clean my vehicle?

The process of washing your car regularly will preserve the finish of your car and keep your car looking great. Make sure to clean off any sap from trees and bird droppings, and dead bugs as fast as possible. Additionally, if you reside in an area that has an abundance of pollutants, wash your car following periods of rain. This can prevent raindrops that are acidic from drying out and ruining your vehicle's finish.

Pro Note: Don't delay until your vehicle "needs" a wash; not doing it in time will affect the finish and paint. You'll be amazed at how long you can keep the beauty of your vehicle's paint as well as finish with a thorough cleaning.

What products should I use to clean my vehicle?

Special Car Washing Solutions have mild chemicals specially designed not to harm paint and help preserve the finish of your car. Instead of tackling it first, follow the directions on the bottle to ensure that you are using the proper concentration to clean your vehicle. Be sure to make use of a soft, natural sponge that is clean and or a lamb's wool glove for applying suds to your vehicle. Do not scrub too hard; instead, let the cleaners take care of the job!

The most difficult to clean road dirt may build up around the wheel wells. This is why you need an extra-strong cleaner, such as bug and tar remover products. Utilizing a soft cleansed cloth, put on cleaner and gently scrub away rubber, grease, and other stains.

Tires and wheels can collect brake dust, dirt, and other debris from the road. Therefore, you should use a designated sponge or brush (separately) to clean these areas. This keeps the grime away from the cleaning sponge so that you don't scratch the paint. Water and mild soap or special tire cleaners are able to make your wheels and tires clean. There are many cars that have clear coatings for the wheels. Be sure you look and determine whether the solution was designed for your specific type of wheel (again, make sure you read the directions).

Pro Note: Using regular household cleaners can strip the protective wax layer and then rapidly reduce the quality of the paint. Common household cleaning products, like dish soap, hand soap, and glass cleaners, may contain harsh chemicals not designed specifically for use in cars. Make sure you make use of the correct products and follow the instructions.