So you got a new car. It’s sleek, fast, and gets you great MPG. But there’s something wrong. It seems like all of nature and the elements are against you. You’re the envy when you can find shaded parking underneath a tree but with a new ride, there’s always the fear of falling leaves scratching your shimmering paint job or the paranoia that golden beads of sap will suck themselves onto your hood. So you park 300 feet from the nearest sapling. My friend even knows when all his neighbor’s sprinklers go off (not to mention his girlfriend’s neighbor’s too!) to avoid those dreaded water spots.
But it’s a car, and its main functionality is to take you around to places like work, the grocery store, your parent’s house, the mall, etc. and there’s absolutely no way you can keep it in pristine condition 24/7. So when it comes time to wash and pamper your baby, here are some great tips for all you car enthusiasts out there. But first, we are going to explore the items you need before you attempt to clean your car:
1. Get a large bucket that can hold around 20 or so gallons of water (you can purchase these from any hardware store)
2. Get a grit guard. The purpose of the grit guard is to well, keep dirt, grime, rocks, etc. from sticking to your mitt while you’re washing your car so you prevent scratches on your paint.
3. Buy a lambs wool mitt. These genuine wool mitts are extra gentle on your car and soak up tons of soapy water to provide the most thorough wash on your car ever.
4. Buy a wheel brush. These angled brushes provide great ease when you’re getting down on your knees and washing your rims. That, or using an old lambswool mitt is great, too. Remember, if you use a mitt to wash your rims, don’t use it again to wash your car!
5. Buy different types of microfiber towels: waffle weaves are good for drying, edgeless ones reduce the possibility of scratching your car, or regular ones with edges are fine too (just make sure you have it folded so the center of the towel is used.)
6. Buy a decent brand of car wash soap. Usually three or four capfulls of the solution to your bucket of water should suffice.
7. LSP (Last Step Products, i.e. waxes and/or sealants). These products not only provide your car with protection (such as keeping dust from settling on your car), they keep your car looking glossy and new and finally keeps maintance of your car at a minimum.
8. Buy a quick spray detailer and invest in a clay bar. Quick detailing your car in between washes helps keep your car clean and minimizes maintenance. Clay bars help remove any surface contaminates in your paint (such as brake dust, water spots, etc.) and is NOT an alternative to polishing.
9. If you don’t have a garage, invest in a car cover. You can buy one online for as little as $30!
Now that we have everything we need, it is time to bathe your car in a luxuriant bath of bubbles!
First, fill up your bucket with the grit guard in place on the bottom halfway with water (water from a garden hose is fine.) Add three-four cap fulls of the solution to the water, and then finally fill it up to the top. At this point, a good 1/4th of the bucket will be foam/bubbles. This is okay.
Next, REMOVE whatever spray head you have on your hose and use your finger instead to spray down your car. Spray heads use high water pressure that can damage your paint or cause scratch marks on your car.
Next, dip your wool mitt in the foamy, sudsy water and start washing your car one panel at a time, starting with the top. Move fast because if you’re in the sun or it’s a hot sunny day, the water can evaporate quickly. Remember that every time you go back and dip your mitt in the water, to run it against the grit guard to remove any dirt and rocks that can be stuck to your mitt. Wash your rims last, using a tire brush or an old mitt.
Next, take your hose and spray down your car a second time. Use the waffle weave towel to soak up excess water and a soft microfiber towel to finish the drying process (I usually have one towel in each hand to make the process go by faster). If you drop a towel or when either towel gets too saturated with water, get rid of it and get a clean dry new one.
Next step is to clay bar your entire car. If you have a new car, you can skip this process, but if you have an older car, you can test whether or not you want to clay bar. First, run your finger across your hood and if you feel raised bumps, then it’s probably a good idea to clay bar. The clay bar will leave your car with a satiny smooth finish and helps eliminate any contaminates in the paint.
(How to clay bar: Use a quick detail solution and spray liberally on the area you wish to clay bar. Rub the clay bar all over the panel of the car in a back-forward motion in areas that is lubricated with the solution. When you feel the clay bar stop “gripping” the car or when the clay turns yellow or black (from picking up the contaminants) then it’s time to mold/fold your clay in your fingers until the clay is white again. When you are done with the entire panel, wipe the area clean with a soft, dry microfiber towel and repeat the process again on another section).
Next, if you have leather seats, it’s a good idea to use a leather cleaner and conditioner to keep the seats in great condition. Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose that detaches with a long, thin attachment to get to hard-to-reach areas in the car.
Finally, it’s time for the last step product. I mainly use wax, so, obviously I will describe how to wax your car. Use the round, white spongey applicator that usually comes with the wax and apply a THIN layer of the wax on your car. Let the wax cure for at least 20 minutes or until it is completely dry and becomes almost powder-like. Use a soft microfiber towel (clean and dry!) to wipe the cured wax off. If your towel gets too dusty, get a new one. Repeat until all the wax is off. Your car is now protected for at least 4-6 weeks! If you quick detail your car often and you keep it in a garage/use a car cover, you can wash it as little as once or twice a month! Remember that in another 4-6 weeks to repeat the LSP process to prolong the exterior life of your car!
Live in Texas or any other state that has strict water laws? Are the conditions too horrible outside but you still want to clean and wash your car? I found a new product that requires only one ounce of solution per gallon (the brand is Clearkote, and an ounce is about a cap full). I washed my entire sedan using only TWO gallons of water!!! The leftover water in the bucket is plenty to use for washing your rims. This is a very green way of washing your car since it conserves a lot of water and keeps dangerous chemicals from washing down into storm drains.
Remember, a car is usually the second biggest purchase a person makes in their lifetime (after a house). It is always a good idea to invest in a good routine maintenance of your car so you can get the most out of your car’s life!
