[Knowledge Classroom] Do you want to wash your own car? Things to pay attention to when washing your car. Here are some tips to help you wash your car to perfection!
I love my car and I want to wash it myself. It can save money and maintain your car, but sometimes if you don't wash it well after washing, it will cause watermarks or scratches on the car, so the correct method is very important, otherwise it is easy to scratch the car paint or leave water stains. If you want to wash your car like a new one, you can refer to the following detailed steps and tips:
1. Preparation
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Choose a good time and place
- Choose a cloudy day or a shaded place to avoid washing the car under the scorching sun, otherwise the water stains will easily dry and leave marks.
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Prepare equipment
- Two buckets (car wash bucket + cleaning bucket)
- High-quality car wash liquid (do not use household detergent, which will damage the car paint)
- Car wash sponge/wool gloves
- Microfiber towel/absorbent towel
- Soft brush (to clean the rims and gaps)
- Tire cleaner/car wax (if any)
- Glass cleaner
2. Car washing steps
2.1 Pre-rinsing (flushing)
- First, use a water gun to wet the entire car to wash away surface dust and sand to avoid scratching the paint when washing the car.
2.2 Double bucket car washing method
- One bucket contains car wash liquid and the other contains only water.
- After each dip in car wash fluid, rinse it in a bucket of clean water first, then dip in car wash fluid again to reduce sand residue.
2.3 Partition Cleaning
- Start from the roof and work your way down (windows → doors → rear/front → skirt/bottom).
- Use the clean side of the car wash mitt for each area to reduce the amount of dirt that is carried back to the cleaned area.
2.4 Cleaning the rims and tires
- Wash the rims and tires last, using a special rim brush and cleaner.
- Do not use car wash gloves to clean rims to avoid cross contamination.
2.5 Flush the entire vehicle
- Use a water gun to thoroughly rinse off all car wash liquid and foam to ensure that no residue remains.
2.6 Drying
- Blot dry with a microfiber absorbent towel.
- Wipe from top to bottom to avoid water droplets forming water stains.
- You can use a hair dryer (if available) to blow away water droplets on the lens and in gaps.
3. Advanced nursing skills
3.1 Waxing or glazing
- After washing and drying, you can wax the car body regularly or use sealing glaze products to make the paint surface smoother, brighter and easier to clean.
3.2 Cleaning the glass
- Use a glass cleaner and a clean cloth to clean the glass, both inside and outside, to avoid watermarks and fog.
3.3 Cleaning the inner cage
- Vacuum to remove debris and dust from carpets and seat crevices.
- Clean the interior panels and dashboard with a damp cloth.
3.4 Clean details
- Use a fine-bristled brush to clean places where dust easily accumulates, such as the car emblem, door gaps, and the bottom of the rearview mirror.
4. Practical car washing tips
- Avoid rubbing with circular motions : rub back and forth in straight lines to reduce the appearance of "car wash rings" fine lines.
- Use a microfiber cloth : More absorbent and softer than regular towels, it reduces scratching.
- Change the water and cloth regularly : Dirty water and dirty cloth will increase the risk of scratching.
- Do not use household detergents or strong acid or alkali cleaners : they will damage the protective layer of the car body.
- Avoid waxing in direct sunlight : a hot car body will make it difficult to apply and wipe off the wax evenly.
- Don't use old T-shirts or towels to wipe the car : the fibers are rough and can easily scratch the paint.
5. Check after washing the car
- Check the car body for water stains, foam residue or uncleaned areas.
- Check for scratches or new damage and deal with them as soon as possible.
Summarize
As long as you use the right tools, double-bucket car wash method and dry the car carefully, you can make your car shiny and new and reduce the loss of paint. If you want the car body to be shiny for a long time, regular waxing or sealing is a must!
