Car Cleaning Tips

Cleaning your car seems easy enough…right? While anyone can toss soap in a bucket and wash a vehicle, there’s much more to the process to do properly. If you’re going to spend any amount of time cleaning your vehicle, it’s best to do it right. And the experts at House Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Red Wing have created a quick guide of our best car-cleaning tips. Continue reading to learn more about, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

When Is the Best Time to Wash Your Car

In life, timing is everything, and washing your car is no different. For starters, don’t wash your vehicle in direct sunlight or when the surface is hot. While some pros contend it’s bad for your vehicle’s finish, it definitely makes the job exponentially harder.

The direct sunlight and hot surface will cause the soap to dry up much quicker, which will increase the likelihood of unsightly water spots. You may also notice ugly swirls on your vehicle after washing. If you absolutely must wash your vehicle in the sun, make sure to try to keep the surface cool with sprays of water.

Miss a Spot? Don’t Use a Dry Towel

One of the worst feelings is to spend a quality hour washing your vehicle only to discover you have missed a spot. It’s far too easy to grab a towel and simply remove the spot. However, when you do, you risk scratching your paint job. You should also avoid using a squeegee to dry the vehicle’s surface because it can drag dirt across your paint creating scratches.

Always Use Soap Designed for Vehicles

You’ve made an investment in your vehicle. Don’t disrespect your investment by using Palmolive, Dawn, or some other detergent not designed for car washing. These detergents are very harsh and can slice through layers of wax. These soaps can even dig into your vehicle’s protective clear coat.

Instead, it’s best to choose a type of soap specifically designed to clean your vehicle without having adverse paint affects. These soaps are usually a lot milder than general abrasive soaps you may find around your home.

Start with a Thorough Pre-Rinse

Every good car wash should start with a thorough pre-rinse. The pre-rinse is a strategy you can use to wash off debris and loosen dirt. In addition, the pre-rinse can be a key way to cool your vehicle down, especially if it has been sitting in the sun with a hot surface.

Wash Your Wheels First

Many experts suggest you should start with the dirtiest, grossest part of your vehicle first: the wheels. It’s best to have a specific bucket for your wheels because they will end up with significant deposits of oil and grime. There are a range of different products you can use for cleaning your tires and wheels. Make sure the product you select is designed for the type of wheels or rims you have on your vehicle. Failure to pay attention to this key consideration could result in damage.

Use Three Buckets When You Wash

For the best car wash, you should always use at least three buckets.

1. One bucket should be used exclusively for your tires. You should also have a separate set of cleaning materials for your tires.
2. One bucket should be for clean soapy water,
3. The third bucket should be used solely for rinsing your mitt or sponge off.

If you choose to use a single bucket, you will contaminate the clean water with particles of dirt that may potentially damage your paint job.

Use a Soft Sponge or Sheepskin Mitt

You have no shortage of options when it comes to materials you can use to clean the exterior of your vehicle. Undoubtedly, the best option is to use either a sheepskin mitt or a soft sponge to gently remove dirt and wash the exterior of your vehicle. You should avoid using sponges or towels that have been used for other purposes. These previously-used cleaners can transmit chemicals and particles onto your vehicle’s body and possibly damage your paint or even result in scratches. In either case, when you start washing your vehicle, always start at the top and work your way down.

Clean and Protect Your Exterior

While washing your car is key to removing debris, a real detail involves protecting your paint and other exterior components. There are a range of different types of protectants, including paint sealants, car wax, or even ceramic coatings. Many people choose to clean their glass with a glass cleaner.

Consider Using a Clay Bar

Using a clay bar on your vehicle instead of just hand waxing is a critical step you can take to protect the exterior health of your vehicle. The auto detailing clay bar is an engineered resin compound that can remove contaminants from the exterior of your vehicle, including metal, glass, and paint. These contaminants can pierce paint finishes, metal, and glass. They can remain stuck on your vehicle through car washes, rain, and polishing. The only way to truly remove these pollutants is with a clay bar. You should use the clay bar two times a year to deliver an extensive and in-depth cleaning of the outside.

Use a Chamois or Micro Fiber Towel to Dry Your Vehicle

To dry your vehicle after you’ve washed it, many people use the chamois. However, some believe the chamois is too abrasive and may lead to more scratches. Because of this, a growing number of people opt to use soft, microfiber towels. Regardless of what you use, you should never let your car air dry. In addition to being lazy, letting your vehicle air dry will leave watermarks on the finish.

Contact House CDJR of Red Wing

When it comes to keeping your vehicle in tip-top condition, the experts at House CDJR of Red Wing are your best friends. We offer a state-of-the-art service facility as well as a full auto service detail center to ensure your vehicle looks as well as it performs.

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