Washing your car is usually the first thing that comes to mind regarding maintaining the appearance of your vehicle, but things like where you live, your vehicle’s condition, and what it is used for can make the process differ from individual to individual.
If you have an old truck that you consistently drive on dirt roads and go mudding in, you won’t want to spend as much time on the little details as you would with a garage-kept car you only take out on weekends.
Without further ado, here are four steps to washing your car properly.
Wash The Car From Top To Bottom
The contamination builds up mostly in the areas of your car that are closest to the ground, like the bottom of your doors or wheels. For this reason, you want to wash the car from the top to the bottom to ensure you aren’t spreading contaminants to areas that don’t have much buildup, to begin with.
This can cause swirling and micro scratching in your paint’s finish and can lead to needing a paint correction.
Set Up Your Wash Equipment Efficiently
You will want to have your chemicals, brushes, mitts, and pressure washer at a distance where you can grab them quickly. This is especially true for chemicals that cannot sit on the paint for too long, or on hot days where the sun can dry the water and soap onto your car.
You don’t want to be fumbling around trying to find the pressure washer or water source while abrasive chemicals and soap dries onto your vehicle.
Two-Bucket Wash Method
This washing method is to decrease the chances of scratching your vehicle with an overused mitt filled with contaminants.
Instead of just your bucket with soap, you’ll add a separate bucket with water. Every time you wash a panel, you will rinse all of the dirt and grime into the water-only bucket before dipping it back into the soap bucket.
Find A Drying Method That Works For You
There are multiple ways you can dry your car off, the most notable ones are a high-quality, microfiber drying towel and some sort of blower – such as a leaf blower.
You may benefit from using both, the blower is particularly good for the small areas where water accumulates, such as the side-view mirrors or door jambs, while the drying towel is better for the large surface areas such as the roof.
Either way, you also want to have your tools for drying at an accessible place, especially on hot days. This will prevent water spots that come from the sun from drying it, instead of your blower or towel.
The Verdict
Washing your car doesn’t have to be complicated or an all-day affair, but these tips will help you be more effective and efficient, while also making sure you’re using proper techniques.
