Still, you have to be careful with how you go about it. Use the wrong brush and you’ll wind up scratching the paint, and waxing a car requires a particular technique.
Use the Right Brush
Whether your side panels are made of steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber, what your car needs are soft brushes and sponges that can dig into every corner and crevice without leaving any marks or wearing away at the paint or the layer of car wax which is hopefully still in full force. A sea sponge is great for this kind of job, as are microfiber washcloths. You may also want to use a soft towel to dry your vehicle off.
Use the Right Washing Fluid
Not just any cleaning liquid will do. It has to be both gentle and full of suds in order to work all the dirt and grime away without removing any of the car wax.
Rinse, Wash, Rinse
You basically have to wash your car the same way you wash your skin. The first rinse is to clear off all the obvious bits of gunk and dirt that tend to accumulate whether you notice them or not. If they come off right away, then there’s no need to worry about getting your sponges dirty scraping them off.
Separate Your Dirt Levels
This means two things: first, you should use two buckets when you’re washing your car. The first is for clean, soapy water, and the second you’ll use to rinse out your sponge once it gets full of dirt and grime. If you don’t remember to keep these two buckets separate, you’ll wind up with thin film of grime all over your car by the time you’re done.
Second, you need two sponges or washcloths. One is for the body of the car, including all the windows and panels, but the other you’ll use to give the wheels and the wheel wells a thorough scrubbing. your wheels are, after all, the point where your vehicle meets the road, and so they and their surroundings tend to get much dirtier than all the rest.
Polish and Wax Once Per Season
The polish lets your paint shine, and the wax protects it from anything that might stain or corrode your car. Two layers of wax will make sure your vehicle is safe, but don’t forget to buff it with a clean cloth to remove the excess wax.
Cleaning your own car can take a few hours of your weekend every month (or more, depending on where you drive), but it’s entirely worth the effort. Even the pros will tell you there’s no car wash like a hand car wash.
Image via Pixabay | CC 0
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