How to Wash a Car? The Professional Car Wash Guide
Cars! Globally, it is one of the most frequently used vehicles. Since it’s too widespread, their demand and supply are high. The post-covid car sales worldwide say it all out loud. In 2022, the total care sales were around 66.1 million despite the lockdown. However, that’s not the subject matter, as it is something more grave than that. And it’s Car Wash! It seems odd, but it mustn’t be if you own a car.
Being a car owner, washing the car might have been a turmoil for you. It looks easy only if you’re well-versed plus well-equipped. Are you a newbie to car washing, or your first car wash experience still haunts you? Don’t worry. I will help you with it. After days of working with car wash and maintenance, I have developed a productive and in-depth guide on step-by-step car washing. Now, if you’re new to car washing or already terrible with it, look at this article to learn how to get better at it.
Car Cleaning Products – Much-Needed Items
Try to use high-performance cleaning that should deliver good cleaning with menial quantity. In addition, avoid highly acidic or basic cleansing products to protect the car’s body from getting damaged. Prefer to use such substances which are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Below are some car cleaning products that are necessary to buy before you start washing your car.
- Finishing Sprays:
For car washing, sprays use detailing chemicals like coatings, cleaners, bars and soaps. Commonly they are meant to clean vents, dashboards, engine hoses and rubber moldings. Finishing sprays are also used for engine, interior and exterior dressings.
- Glass Cleaners:
They are used for wiping the car glass, wing screen, window rolls and mirrors. A good glass cleaner fits any glass, whether chrome, plastic, or tinted. Additionally, these cleaning agents should give the bare minimum murk with a shiny finish.
- Car Wash Detergents:
Last but not least is the car washing detergents. Don’t get the wrong idea. These are not hand-wash, glass-cleaner, laundry or general household detergents but are formulated. An ideal car wash detergent is environmentally friendly, produces less pollution and is highly effective in removing dirt and debris.
In short, these are car washing products, primarily for the car body and top. There are also general-purpose cleaners like wheel cleaners, grit guards, chamois, tire shiners, etc. Waxes and polishing agents are pretty crucial once you’re done washing them. Shopping for such items requires careful consideration. Always pick on eco-friendly products.
10 Steps Guide On How To Wash a Car?
Car washing can be a simple task with the right products and the right set of instructions. You should also keep a weather check before doing so. Most people wash their cars in the open with direct sunlight or in a heavy pour, which harms the car coating. We will provide you with step-by-step info on how to wash it aptly. Scroll down for more.
- Get all the essential supplies:
First, Get all necessary equipment like a hose, wheel brush, buckets, soft towels, sponges and general purpose cleaners. Then put up the car wash products, containing washing liquids, sprays, shiners and glass cleaner tools.
- Park the car in a shaded location:
Then, park your car at a shady place like a garage or lawn with no direct sunlight. Also, do not wash it in the open when there is heavy don-pouring. Avoid these mistakes because it leads to water pots, metal erosion and engine overheating.
- Rinse the whole car body:
Afterward, rinse the car using the hose. Repeat it once or twice to get the dust eradicated. Don’t forget to hose down the rear end, including the wheels, mirror, boot and number plate.
- Take the buckets out:
Now, it’s time to use buckets. Fill it with warm water and pour car wash-formulated detergent in it. Add many detergents if the vehicle has not been cleaned for a while. Now, apply the solution in the bucket throughout the whole car. You can use a towel, mitt, or even a cloth for that purpose.
- Clean to the wheels:
Following that, clean the wheels. While washing, the wheels are the most unclean parts of the car. They are heavily soiled with mud, dirt and other contamination. Thus, it is preferable to wash them thoroughly. Use a wheel brush to wipe out any complex pollutants and sponges for cleaning the other parts.
- Wash in an order!
When washing the car, always move top to bottom. The cars’ top surfaces are dirtier than the bottoms. So, go with the top first, then the wheels and tires. Moreover, use the wiping cloth or towel in lines rather than circling it.
- Do a final rinse!
After cleaning the car with soapy water, wash it up. This time keep the hose to the fullest. You can use multiple-hole tubing for that. Rinse your car, left and right, frontal and rear. Quickly wipe all the soap with water so it won’t dry out on the surface later.
- Dry the car:
Now it’s time to dry the car. Use a high-end drying cloth for wiping out the water. Microfiber towels and chamois are some reasonable options. Dry the wt door jams. Hood jambs, headlights and mirrors.
- Do some interior cleaning:
The penultimate step of washing a car is to clean the interior. When the vehicle dries up, move the stuff inside the car, like the floor carpet. Spray down the bug-removing against the floor and wait for some time. Then, vacuum the bottom for detailed cleaning. Use the soft clothing towel and detergents for cleaning the dashboard, Storage compartments, brakes and mirrors.
- Wax your car:
The final step in car washing is waxing it. Remember, waxing adds a cover to your car, which will prevent it from any environmental damage like paint stripping, scratches and UV. Apply wax on the towel and move its circular path up to the whole car body.
Summary
Washing a car may seem like a straightforward task, but there are certain steps you should follow to ensure you do it properly. Firstly, park your car in a shaded area to prevent water spots. Then, rinse the car with a water hose to remove any loose dirt and debris. Fill a bucket with soap and water, and use a sponge to apply the soap to the car, starting from the top and working your way down. Rinse the car with the water hose and repeat the process until the car is completely clean.
Next, dry the car with a microfiber cloth or chamois to avoid water spots. For an extra shine, apply car wax using a clean cloth, then polish it with another clean cloth. Don’t forget to clean the wheels and tires using a pressure washer and a detergent specifically designed for wheels. Finally, rinse the wheels and tires and dry them thoroughly. By following these steps, you can achieve a clean and shiny car.
Choosing Between Waxing & Polishing
Keeping in view the condition of the car body, it is an important question. Waxing and polishing are both equally essential, heading one after another. Any car after a paint job presents many scratches, uneven paint-works and other unwanted swirl marks. Here polishing is inevitable because it gives a sleek finish to the paint, sliding away any debris.
Meanwhile, after polishing, waxing is utterly necessary. Maintaining an even paint surface on your car requires waxing regularly. Waxing protects the covering or coat of the vehicle after polishing. It also inhibits oxidation, blotching and premature wear and tear.
Hence proved, polishing followed by waxing is the best way possible and reliable for your car. Here’s a video by Meguiar’s UK explaining the difference:
FAQs:
While washing a car, you must go with the top-to-bottom sequence. After spraying down the whole car, clean the wheels and tires in the first place. Usually, these parts are the dirtiest, so washing them in the first place is better. Secondly, wash the top, car body and rear end. At last, clean the car’s interior, seats, dashboard and doors.
After washing a car, you only need to dry it. Ensure that it dries fast to prevent water spots on the body. Also, keep it in a shady place after washing because direct exposure to sunlight in the car is unsafe. Use a paint-safe towel to wipe any remaining water on it.
Yes, it is pretty much safe. After heavy rainfall, try to wash the car as quickly as possible. Rainfall will probably lead to unwanted water spots, paint-flaking and corrosion. Thus, cleaning it to remove debris, dirt and rainwater pollutants is necessary.
Also Read: How To Open A Car Wash Coin Vault?
Conclusion
That’s all about the car washing guide. By following the given directions, you can clean it yourself, even if you’re a beginner. Remember, car cleansing is essential; otherwise, its efficiency will decline. Most probably, the metal of the exterior part will rust away, peeling off the paint. The windscreens will let you have faded vision while driving. So, if you want your car to look classy and durable, wash it twice a month or so.
Use effective washing products like microfiber clothes, glass cleaners and formulated detergents. Also, avoid washing it in the rain, as it can cause damage to the car in the long run. Heavy rainfall is followed by mud, dust and heavy metals, potentially harmful to the vehicle. The long and short is washing a car is pretty simple, even if you’re not a pro. Just follow the guidelines, and the rest won’t be big cheeses.
Glenn is a highly skilled and knowledgeable expert in car maintenance and modification. He runs the popular blog incarwash.com, which is dedicated to everything related to car washing and maintenance. This comprehensive resource provides valuable information and insights on a wide range of topics, including the best car wash products, tips and tricks for keeping your vehicle looking its best, and the latest innovations in car washing technology.