DIY Tips: At-Home Car Washing

A lot of us gain some satisfaction when we wash our cars in addition to saving a few dollars. Simple acts of washing your automobile will boost your pride and satisfaction because it makes one of your most expensive things appear shiny and clean. But there's more to cleaning your car than just dumping soap and water into the bucket and rubbing away. Below are some guidelines for washing your vehicle in the correct way 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 make it look good. Be sure to clean away any sap from trees as well as bird droppings and dead bugs as quickly as possible. If you live in an area that has an abundance of pollutants, clean your vehicle following periods of rain. This can prevent the rain droplets from drying out and damaging your vehicle's finish.

Pro Note: Don't delay until your vehicle "needs" a wash; being late could damage 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 clean.

What products should I use to clean my vehicle?

Special Car Washing Solutions have mild chemicals specially designed to not cause damage to paint and protect your car's finish. 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 or a lamb's wool mitt when applying suds to the vehicle. Do not scrub too hard and let the cleaners do the job!

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

Tires and wheels can collect dirt, brake dust, as well as other debris from the road. So, make sure you use a specific brush or sponge (separately) to clean these areas. This will help keep the dirt out of the cleaning sponge so that you don't scratch the paint. A mild solution of water and soap or specially designed tire cleaners will help to make your tires and wheels spotless. There are many cars that have clear coatings for the wheels, so be sure you check whether the solution was designed to fit your particular kind of wheel (again, make sure you read the directions).

Pro Note: Using regular household cleaners can strip the wax protective coating 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. Make sure you make use of the correct products and follow the instructions.