DIY Tips: At-Home Car Washing

A lot of us gain some satisfaction when we wash our cars and thereby saving a few dollars. Simple acts of washing your automobile could boost your satisfaction and pride in making one of your most expensive items appear clean and shiny. There is more to cleaning your car than just dumping soap and water into the bucket and rubbing away. Below are some guidelines for washing your car in the right manner and without scratching or damaging the surface.

When should I clean my vehicle?

The process of washing your car regularly will help preserve the appearance of your car and keep your car looking great. Make sure to clean off any sap from trees as well as 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 when it rains. This can prevent raindrops that are acidic from drying 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 by how much you can extend the beauty of your car's paint and finish with a thorough cleaning.

What products should I use to clean my automobile?

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

Road deposits that are difficult to get rid of may build up around the wheel wells. They usually require an extra-strong cleaner, such as bug and tar remover products. With a soft, cleansed cloth, put on cleaner and gently scrub away rubber, grease, and other particles.

The wheels and tires may accumulate brake dust, dirt as well as other debris from the road. Therefore, you should use a designated brush or sponge (separately) to clean these areas. This keeps the grime away from the cleaning sponge so that you don't scratch the paint. A mild solution of water and soap or specially designed tire cleaners are able to keep your tires and wheels spotless. There are many cars that have clear coatings on the wheels. Be sure you check whether the solution has been designed for your specific kind of wheel (again, make sure you read the directions! ).

Pro Tip: Using ordinary household cleaners can strip the protective wax layer and then rapidly reduce the quality of the paint. Cleaning products for the home, such as dish soap, hand soap, and glass cleaners, may contain harsh chemicals not designed specifically for use in cars. Be sure to select the appropriate products and follow the directions.