Do you love washing your car? Probably not, however not everyone can afford to have their car washed in a carwash and some people just prefer to spend their money on a pizza and a beer. In any case, a car looks much better if it’s clean and it also shows a person’s attitude towards his car. We probably all agree that no matter how expensive the car is, it doesn’t look good if it’s dirty. It’s unlikely that a beautiful woman will wash your car for you, but maybe you can ask your wife of girlfriend to do it as a present. If you intend to clean your car’s interior, do it before you wash your car.
First a few words on the general opinion of people. People generally believe that automatic carwashes damage the varnish and to some degree it is true. However, newer carwashes use better, softer brushes that don’t leave marks on your car, but you can never be completely sure. If in doubt, consult the person who is going to wash your car. The eternal dilemma is whether to choose a manual or an automatic carwash.
Now let’s look at manual washing, as it is unlikely that anyone would spend money on an automatic carwash just for personal use. It’s great if you already own a pressure washer, and if you don’t, it will be great when you buy one. A pressure washer is brilliant for rinsing your car and getting rid of thicker dirt like mud and sand, which can cause damage to the varnish if we try to scrape it of with a sponge. It’s also great for washing the chassis and the wheels and even your driveway and courtyard. Rinse the shampoo when you finish washing the car with a pressure washer. If you intend to buy a pressure washer, the Kärcher brand is a good choice, you can get a decent pressure washer for about 120€, but there are cheaper options. You need to be careful that you don’t use the pressure washer too close to the car. A 100€ washer shouldn’t damage your car, but a 2.500€ one would. Nonetheless, you should make sure you use any pressure washer at least 15 cm away from the car.
Rinse the car from one side to the other, from the top to the bottom, as you use the least water and time this way. It’s especially important to use the pressure washer during winter, because you can rinse the salt very efficiently and therefore prevent corrosion. When you finish rinsing the car, pour some water in a bucket, add some shampoo, grab a sponge, rub the entire car with it and then rinse the car again. From time to time you should also clean the part between the doors with a cloth or a sponge, which has been soaked in shampoo. Be careful to rinse the shampoo immediately after applying it during summer, as it dries quickly because of the heat. It is generally discouraged to wash your car in high heat; it’s also better to wash it in the shade. After you’ve washed the whole car, wipe it with a dry cloth or at least let it dry in the shade. If you leave it on the sun, dried drops of water will remain visible.
Is the car dry, but there are dead insects stuck to the front part of your car? If the bonnet and bumper of the car are very hot, cool them down first with some cold water. Do you remember the car window cleaning spray from the article typical interior cleaning? Well, now you should use it, but it should be used only for metallic colours. Apply the spray, leave it set for about 10-15 seconds and then wipe the remainder of the spray with a cloth or a paper towel. You can also use it for cleaning the headlights. If you haven’t managed to get rid of the insects (dark colours like black are especially problematic) you don’t have much choice but to polish your car. There are also some cleaning fluids just for removing insects, but they aren’t completely reliable. If you still decide to try one, apply it to critical spots before you wash the car, but never apply it to a dry surface. Wash the bumper, headlights and the bonnet with water first. The cleaning fluids are very aggressive and could damage your car if used without water. Try using Arexons DP1, a washer fluid additive that keeps your windscreen clean and free of insects. The front of the car still isn’t clean, but if you add some Arexons to the shampoo, it can help greatly. However, if you wash your car regularly, you won’t have any problems with insects.
There you go, your car is washed and the insects are removed. Do the tyres have a faded black colour? Are the rims still dirty? Read more about it in the articles taking care of tyres and cleaning rims. The white colour still isn’t white but dirty white? You have plastic slats on your car but their colour had faded? The chromium-plated accessories aren’t shining anymore? Have you noticed that your car has damaged varnish or a few scratches? Read the articles detailed car washing and car polishing. If there are sticky remains like resin on your car or if you would like to remove a sticker, read the article removing resin and remains of glue.
It’s true that every cow looks the same at night, but it’s nice to wake up in the morning and see that you don’t have a cow, but a clean, iron steed. Have a nice day!
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