If you really care about your car’s exterior, then you might want to start avoiding those quickie car washes, especially those with big brushes. That is because they only do more harm than good. Instead of bringing your car to them, do it yourself and get the best results. Besides, cleaning your car is considered one of the best ways when it comes to car maintenance, and it does not have to be hard or even take a ton of time. Heck, you do not even have to spend a lot of money doing it. To help you get going, below are some unbelievable car cleaning tips that you will surely love. Give them a try and see how they work wonders to your car.
Hose It Down
Your first job should be to hose your car down with lots and lots of cold water. This will loosen the dirt and make it easier to remove later. Do not stint, and if you have a pressure washer, then now is the perfect time to hose off the underside and wheel arches. Just do not concentrate the water stream on door seals and any areas of loose paint or rust because high-pressure water can be a very effective paint remover.
If you apply a quick squirt of traffic film remover before you start, then half the dirt will just wash away, leaving you with even less to shampoo off later. This is also important because it leaves less dirt on the bodywork to act as an abrasive when you are sponging it off later.
When Cleaning the Wheels
This is the part where you can now spray the wheels with a dedicated wheel cleaner to give it time to shift any baked-on brake dust. Try to use a small, soft-bristled brush to get into all the nooks and crannies of the wheels, working the fluid well in. Keep in mind that some wheel cleaner tend to disappear, so it is easy forget that it is still there. So, make sure you check anything that gives you a visual reminder that it is time to wash it off is much appreciated.
Applying Shampoo
Start at the top of the car working down, keeping your sponge wet at all times, rinsing off with plenty of cold water from a hose when you are finished. Tip: Keep one sponge just for use on your car’s bodywork. If you drop the sponge on the floor, rinse it thoroughly as just one small piece of grit trapped inside the sponge is enough to leave your car covered in scratches.
Drying
This is definitely the least favorite cleaning job. However, if you do not do it, you will be left with streaks and smears, all of which will need to be polished out later. Synthetic chamois cloths are available but nothing beats a real one. They are not cheap but a good one will last for a decade if you rinse it off after use and dry it carefully. If you aren’t confident enough to tackle the task yourself and decide to go with a car wash professional its a good idea to know what their insurance covers. If you found yourself in an situation with them where your car was damaged, understanding what is on offer can help a lot. A friend was telling me about Insurance 4 MotorTrade and how helpful they’ve been when it comes to understanding what the typical car wash insurance policy looks like. If you are in a hurry and do not have time to chamois the car off, then try swilling a couple of buckets of clean, fresh water over the car and then driving it; the wind rushing over the car will dry it and minimize streaks forming.
Want to know more some awesome car cleaning tips from a professional auto repair Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Wilton Manors, Lighthouse Point, and Lauderdale By The Sea? Call us now at Empire Auto Care! We are more than willing to assist you!
