Supplies and Tools - The first step to properly washing your car is gathering the right supplies and tools. The items you should use are:
- Buckets - Have one bucket for clean water and another for soapy water.
- Soap meant for washing cars
- Microfiber or sheepskin wash-mitt
- Drying and detailing cloths - A waffle weaved drying cloth and detailing cloths, preferably microfiber, are the fastest and gentlest way to dry a freshly washed car.
Shady Parking - Whenever you wash your car, be sure to park in the shade. Sunlight will dry the soapy water and leave unsightly water spots on your car’s paint.
Stains - If there are noticeable stains on your car’s paint, like tree sap or acidic bird droppings, you should spray car wash soap directly onto the stain before starting to wash the entire car.
Wheels - Spray the wheels with car wash soap or specialty wheel soap. Using a brush with soft bristles, wash the wheels clean. Use a small detail brush to clean dirt and debris from crevices. Rinse remaining soapy water off of the wheels.
Rinse - Rinse the car from top to bottom starting with the roof. Try not to turn the water pressure too high in order to avoid damaging the finish.
Gentle Scrubbing – Scrub your car from the roof down with the wash-mitt using a gentle circular motion. Periodically reapply water to areas which begin to dry. Scrub crevices clean with a detail brush.
Soapy Wipe Down - Go over the entire car once again with a soapy wash-mitt. This step helps you avoid pesky water spots and picks up any left-over dirt.
Clean Water Rinse - Rinse the car from top to bottom with clean water. Make certain you are not leaving any areas covered with spent soap.
Drying - Gently drag the waffle weaved cloth across the car’s surface for the initial drying phase. Then use the detail cloth to get any water from places like under the trunk or along the inside of the hood.
By following these steps, you can give your car a proper washing that looks as though it was done by a professional.
*Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
