Tips for washing your car

Every South African car owner would love their car to look clean and sparkling and have that brand-new look. But this look doesn’t happen by itself. It depends on who is doing the cleaning. Only if it is done consistently will the car always look clean. There are ways to clean a car that will either greatly enhance the car’s looks or cause them to deteriorate. Let’s find out what to do and what not to do.1

First things first1

Before applying any detergent, thoroughly hose down the car with plain water to remove dust and mud particles. Dust and any soil particles act like fine sandpaper, and they can, through a wiping, scratching action, gradually damage the car’s paintwork. Bird droppings on your car can become ‘rock-hard’ through the baking action of the sun. So you need to first soak them before removing them using gentle movements with a soft cloth. If you don’t do this, you can seriously scratch the paintwork.

What to do when using a bucket1

If you are going to use a bucket, preferably use two buckets. Use one for rinsing out the dirty soapy cloth between wiping the car, while the other bucket is used for the clean detergent.

Use a separate cloth on the wheels1

When cleaning the wheels, a lot of brake dust from the brake pads will soil the cloth. Seeing as brake dust can be abrasive. Use a different cloth for cleaning the rest of the car.

Select the correct detergent1

Dishwashing detergent used for cleaning the cutlery and crockery is not designed for washing cars because it’s too harsh for the paintwork. Instead, use a car detergent that has been correctly formulated.

Why should you not wash in full sunlight? 1

The sun heats the metal and glass of a wet car, causing the soap or water to dry rapidly, leaving ugly spots and stains. Instead, keep spraying the car gently or park in the shade. The aim is only to wipe the car dry while everything is still wet.

Will any cloth do to dry the car? 1

Unfortunately, most hand towels from the kitchen or bathroom are too abrasive for the paintwork. A microfibre drying towel is ideal and will dry the car quickly because it is more absorbent.

How often should I clean my car? 1

Cleaning your car once a week will ensure that any bad dirt, grime, and bird droppings are timeously removed. However, if left alone for some time, these deposits can become engrained into the paintwork through the sun’s harsh action and may become difficult to remove.

Disclaimer

This article can only be used for information because car insurance is complicated. Similarly, if you would like to purchase car insurance, you should first consult a financial advisor for professional advice.

Sources:

1. 1. 5 Car Wash Tips: Dos and Don’ts when Washing Your Vehicle