Many car owners don’t put much thought into how to wash their cars. They either run through the automatic car wash or get out the hose and dish soap and have at it in the drive way! Believe it or not, there is a right way to washing your car and doing so correctly can help keep your car in near-perfect condition for many years. Here are some tips from St. Petersburg area Acura for the right way to wash your car and keep it clean:
Wash Your Car in the Shade
When the sun is out and it’s a nice, warm day, many people will decide to wash their car. You don’t mind getting a little wet from the hose when it’s hot and sunny out! You don’t actually want to wash your car in direct sunlight, however. The sunlight will cause water spots that will make your car appear dirty immediately after washing, and can even leave behind mineral deposits that hurt the car’s paint finish. Wash your car in the shade, instead.
Use the Correct Car Washing Equipment
Don’t just grab the sponge and dish soap from the dish drain and head outside to lather up. Gather the following equipment to ensure a proper car wash:
- Bucket
- Hose
- Soft, clean sponges
- Soft bristle brushes designed for car washing
- Car wash soap
- Lint-free cloths for drying
Car Wash Steps
Here is the most effective way to wash your car:
Step One: Use the hose to get the entire vehicle wet from top to bottom.
Step Two: Put car wash soap and water in the bucket and drop the sponge in. Dish soap is not designed to wash cars and can actually damage the paint finish over time.
Step Three: Start at the top of your car and work your way down to the tires. When you wash the top first, the dirt will run down the sides of the car, which you will wash as you move down the car. Everything will be clean by the time you reach the bottom.
Step Four: Use the hose again to completely rinse the soap off the car. Start at the top again and spray soap and grime off from top to bottom.
Step Five: Use lint-free cloths to completely dry the car off. Don’t let it air dry or you will be left with unsightly spots that will make your car appear dirty even minutes after you wash it.
Step Six: Spend some time with the details. Clean off hub caps or reach under the car to clean with the soft bristle brush. Use wheel cleaner to make the tires and hub caps shine.
Step Seven: Spray the detailed cleaning parts you just finished and dry everything one last time.
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