How to give the car a complete clean

Cleaning a car is a piece of cake, right? Though the initial response might be a resounding yes, there’s more to a clean car than some soap and water.

The first step in cleaning the car is to wash it. Give it a good rinsing from top to bottom, including the wheels and inside the fenders. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body, and don’t use the same mitt for both. This way you’ll avoid contaminating the vehicle’s paint with debris from the wheels and tires.

Use a good tire cleaner with a stiff brush to improve your tires’ appearance, even if you don’t have white sidewalls or white letter tires. Next, clean the wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes the brake dust, which often blackens the front wheels. Application of these cleaners varies, so be sure to follow the directions on the container.

Now it’s time to wash the body. Use a product sold specifically for automobiles, as household cleaners can strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish. Starting at the top, wash one section at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap. Work your way down toward the front, sides and rear of the vehicle. Clean the rear last since it usually has the largest accumulation of dirt and grime, which can contaminate the wash mitt. Wash the inside door jams about once a month.

To rinse, remove the spray nozzle from the hose. Starting at the top, let the water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle. Then, to avoid water spotting, dry with a chamois or other product made for this purpose.

Now is an excellent time for waxing, which not only protects the finish but also makes subsequent washing easier. Before proceeding, look for foreign particles on the paint. Use a car cleaner, available at auto supply stores, to remove contaminants imbedded in the paint.

Once the surface is clean, apply the wax by following the manufacturer’s instructions for application of the product. Typically, manufacturers suggest not applying wax in sunlight.

While keeping your vehicle clean doesn’t require a lot of effort, it does foster a feeling of pride and accomplishment.

(Source: Metro Creative)