Are you one of those who washes your car with your own hands?
In recent years, new products and car cleaning techniques have appeared, formulated specifically for skins, clothing, carpets, paints, and glass. The era of wax with silicone and protective foams has given way to carnauba waxes, moisturizing agents for plastics and powerful shampoo, products that were previously limited access for cleaning professionals.
If you like your car to be left fresh from the factory, here are some practical tips on washing your car.
1. Always wash your car in the shade
Never wash it when it is under the sun. Why? Because excessive heat quickly dries the products, preventing their correct action and also because the high temperature also alters the properties of the paint and crystals, as well as the products. A jet of cold water to a windscreen that has been under the sun for a long time could even crash it or a sudden temperature change could cause the wax to not cure properly.
2. Use two buckets with water
When washing, always have two buckets of water on hand. One with shampoo and one with water only. Dip the cloth or sponge into the mixture and when you finish, soak it in the bucket that has only water. So the dirt will remain in the bucket that has only water and will not take it back to the shampoo.
3. Do not use the same cloth to dry and wax
Order your clothes and rags. Never use the same towel to dry and then wax. It is recommended to use cloths and microfiber towels, which are much smoother with the paint. Forget about household cotton towels or kitchen sponges. Microfiber only.
4. - Eliminate excess dirt before the shampoo
If your car is very dirty, try rinsing it with plenty of water before starting to use the shampoo.
5. - Clean the interior with the right product
The shampoo is not used to clean interiors. Apart from leaving the oily and greasy plastics, then with the heat, the parched. Today there are specialized brand products that spray and contain moisturizing agents, as well as UV filters that will prevent your console from burning or losing its color, in addition to delivering a natural shine, without oily residues.
6. - Apply the appropriate wax
Liquid spray waxes have proven to be quite effective and practical in their application. However, there are new waxes of different density that offer a spectacular layer of gloss and protection (even formulated according to the color of your paint). The application of the wax is very subtle; you do not need to anoint the whole pot more than a very thin layer. Wax is the last step after cleaning, sealing all the work already done.
7. - Polish the paint according to its damages
If your car is lacking in brightness or scratches, you may want to polish the paint. For this work, there are different compounds that match the lacquer layer superior to the paint of the car. Depending on the severity of the damage, you can do it with a cloth, a polishing compound, and circular movements. When the damage is greater, you can polish the paint with a rotary machine or take it to a professional detailer. It is important to keep in mind that polishing slims the coat of lacquer, so it is not recommended to do it more than once a year.
8. - Use additional products and tools
Steam engines are excellent for cleaning carpets in the car, as well as helping to decontaminate textiles. In the case of the skin, you can also moisturize with renewing products, which will prevent them from drying out.
9. - Prolongs the life of the wax
Many brands of cleaning products offer a convenient Quick Detailer, which serves to keep the car clean after washing. Dry watermarks, dust or bird droppings can be quickly removed without removing the wax layer from the car.
10. - Cover your car with a special canvas
To keep your car clean, you can always cover it with a special canvas , which, while it can be a bit tedious to put on and take out every day, will ensure you keep your car's paint free of dust, scratches, birds and stripes caused by nocturnal cats, restless dogs or naughty neighbors.
