Do's and Don'ts for Washing Your Car at Home
A good wash will not only keep your car looking shiny and new, but it will also protect it from dirt, grime and other contaminants that can damage the finish. If you're going to wash your car at home rather than run it through the car wash, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The best car dealership at the Lake of the Ozarks has put together a list of do's and don'ts for washing your car at home.
1. Use cleaning products that are designed specifically for washing vehicles. While there may be some common household cleaners that you could use, many of those cleaners you have lying around can actually damage your cars finish. Those cleaners specifically for vehicles have a chemical balance that removes dirt and grime without affecting the paint. Be sure to thoroughly read the instructions for the product you choose as well.
2. Give the vehicle a thorough pre-rinse before you begin washing it. Spraying the vehicle down first can help cool the exterior, but more importantly, it will remove any pieces of dirt and grime that may scratch the vehicle when you start scrubbing it.
3. Wash your vehicle in sections. Try to wash and rinse one area at a time. This will help prevent your soapy water from drying on the vehicle before you get a chance to rinse it off.
4. Rinse out your sponge often. If possible, use separate buckets for suds and rinse water. This prevents the dirt from getting mixed in with your clean, sudsy water. Squeeze the sponge in the rinse water to remove the dirt from it and then dip it back in the wash bucket for fresh, sudsy water.
5. Start with the wheels. Brake dust and wheel grime is typically more difficult to get off than what's on your paint. Apply any wheel cleaner you're using first, to let it sit and do its magic while you wash the rest of your vehicle. Then once the rest of the car is clean, you can finish cleaning the wheels. Note that you don't want to use the same sponge to clean the wheels and the rest of the vehicle.
6. Dry your vehicle with a soft towel. Be sure to use a material that's not going to scratch your vehicle, such as a chamois, terry towel, or synthetic chamois. When drying your car, let the towel do the work by soaking up the water. For this step, there's no need to rub and scrub. To speed up the drying process, use a squeegee to get most of the water off before going after it with a towel.
1. Don't just grab the dish soap and start squirting it all over your car. They make specific cleaning products for specific uses for a reason. Dish soap is designed to strip grease and grime from your dishes, and those same chemicals that do that can strip the protective compounds from your car's finish.
2. Don't wash your vehicle when the exterior surface is hot. If the vehicle is hot, the liquids you're using to wash it will dry much faster, making it more difficult to clean. Washing your car early in the morning or cleaning it in the shade will save you both time and effort.
3. Don't use water alone to wash your vehicle. While rinsing your car is great, it's going to take more than just water to get off all that dirt and grime that's built up over time. While spraying your car down with the water hose willl remove a lot of the visible dirt and grime, you're going to need to scrub with a cleanser to get the job done right.
4. Don't wait to wash your car if there are bird droppings, dead bugs or other obvious contaminants building up on the surface. Bird droppings, in particular, can be extremely damaging to your car's paint due to the high acidity. If left on your vehicle for any period of time, it can start eating through the clear coat. Rinse this type of debris off as soon as possible.
5. Don't use abrasive material on the paint. When washing and/or drying, use a large sponge or lamb's-wool mitt rather than a cloth or other material that could leave hairline scratches. In addition, be sure to use lots of suds to keep the vehicle well lubricated while you're scrubbing it.
6. Don't let your vehicle dry on its own. This is especially important if you have hard water. When the water evaporates, minerals are left behind in the form of water spots. Not only are these spots unsightly, but those minerals can actually start eating into the paint and will become difficult to remove. Driving the car around the block isn't going to effectively dry your vehicle either.
While washing your car may seem like a hassle sometimes, it's important not to take short cuts and follow these do's and don'ts to keep your vehicle looking and performing great! In addition to keeping your car clean, regular service and maintenance is also needed to keep your vehicle at peak performance. At Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC, we are dedicated to great quality service. Swing by our the service department at our car dealership in Camdenton, MO today for an oil change or tire rotation!
Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC
That's The Way We Do It At Hulett!
513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
www.ShopHulett.com
Sales: 573.317.4191
Service: 573.317.4195
Follow Us On Facebook
Car Washing Do's
1. Use cleaning products that are designed specifically for washing vehicles. While there may be some common household cleaners that you could use, many of those cleaners you have lying around can actually damage your cars finish. Those cleaners specifically for vehicles have a chemical balance that removes dirt and grime without affecting the paint. Be sure to thoroughly read the instructions for the product you choose as well.
2. Give the vehicle a thorough pre-rinse before you begin washing it. Spraying the vehicle down first can help cool the exterior, but more importantly, it will remove any pieces of dirt and grime that may scratch the vehicle when you start scrubbing it.
3. Wash your vehicle in sections. Try to wash and rinse one area at a time. This will help prevent your soapy water from drying on the vehicle before you get a chance to rinse it off.
4. Rinse out your sponge often. If possible, use separate buckets for suds and rinse water. This prevents the dirt from getting mixed in with your clean, sudsy water. Squeeze the sponge in the rinse water to remove the dirt from it and then dip it back in the wash bucket for fresh, sudsy water.
6. Dry your vehicle with a soft towel. Be sure to use a material that's not going to scratch your vehicle, such as a chamois, terry towel, or synthetic chamois. When drying your car, let the towel do the work by soaking up the water. For this step, there's no need to rub and scrub. To speed up the drying process, use a squeegee to get most of the water off before going after it with a towel.
Car Washing Don'ts
1. Don't just grab the dish soap and start squirting it all over your car. They make specific cleaning products for specific uses for a reason. Dish soap is designed to strip grease and grime from your dishes, and those same chemicals that do that can strip the protective compounds from your car's finish.
2. Don't wash your vehicle when the exterior surface is hot. If the vehicle is hot, the liquids you're using to wash it will dry much faster, making it more difficult to clean. Washing your car early in the morning or cleaning it in the shade will save you both time and effort.
3. Don't use water alone to wash your vehicle. While rinsing your car is great, it's going to take more than just water to get off all that dirt and grime that's built up over time. While spraying your car down with the water hose willl remove a lot of the visible dirt and grime, you're going to need to scrub with a cleanser to get the job done right.
4. Don't wait to wash your car if there are bird droppings, dead bugs or other obvious contaminants building up on the surface. Bird droppings, in particular, can be extremely damaging to your car's paint due to the high acidity. If left on your vehicle for any period of time, it can start eating through the clear coat. Rinse this type of debris off as soon as possible.
6. Don't let your vehicle dry on its own. This is especially important if you have hard water. When the water evaporates, minerals are left behind in the form of water spots. Not only are these spots unsightly, but those minerals can actually start eating into the paint and will become difficult to remove. Driving the car around the block isn't going to effectively dry your vehicle either.
While washing your car may seem like a hassle sometimes, it's important not to take short cuts and follow these do's and don'ts to keep your vehicle looking and performing great! In addition to keeping your car clean, regular service and maintenance is also needed to keep your vehicle at peak performance. At Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC, we are dedicated to great quality service. Swing by our the service department at our car dealership in Camdenton, MO today for an oil change or tire rotation!
Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMCThat's The Way We Do It At Hulett!
513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO 65020
www.ShopHulett.com
Sales: 573.317.4191
Service: 573.317.4195
Follow Us On Facebook
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