Washing & Waxing Tips

[konradh]

Materials:

Bucket
Hose with sprayer
Car-wash soap
Wash mitt
Paste-type car wax; prewax cleaner
Clean cotton towels
Optional: chamois
Optional: toothbrushes and paintbrushes

When it comes to cleaning a car's exterior, perhaps the best advice is, don't use dish soap. It will strip away wax as well as dirt. Car-wash soap and a good cloth mitt are much safer and will remove dirt without disturbing the wax finish. Here are a few additional suggestions:

* Look for a wash mitt made from a blend of wool and polyester. Pure polyester is more abrasive and can leave tiny scratches in the paint.


* Wash the car in the shade to reduce spotting from quick drying.


* Start from the top of the car and work down.


* Concentrate on one section at a time.


* Rinse your mitt frequently, and change the soap and water a couple of times to avoid reintroducing dirt and grit to the finish.


* Don't forget to wash the glass as well as the painted surfaces.


* For tight spaces where the mitt won't reach, consider using a paintbrush. This is especially effective along side-mirror edges, grilles, moldings and seams and around headlights. For even tighter spaces and on small rubber parts, try a toothbrush. It's also effective for removing bugs from tight crevices. While you work, keep your mitt and brushes in your bucket to avoid picking up dirt and gravel.


* Long-handled nonscratch brushes are helpful for hard-to-reach areas such as the top of an SUV.


Note: If you use a paintbrush, wrap tape around the metal band at the base of the bristles to prevent scratching or chipping the vehicle's paint.

* Most car-wash soaps dry spot free, but water spots may still be a problem if your water is hard. Drying your car after washing is important, as it helps minimize spotting and the potential for rusting. Clean cotton towels are the most common tool for drying a car. (Use one towel to remove most of the water, and follow up with a second to dry it completely.) Pros prefer genuine chamois, the safest material for paint finishes. Soft rubber squeegees specially designed for removing water from a car's surface are also available. It's also a good idea to take your car for a drive immediately after washing it to let the wind and engine heat dry any residual water.


* Waxing protects your car's paint from the elements and brings out the color and shine. Apply wax according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Apply wax in an area away from direct sunlight, preferably inside a garage.


* Use a prewax cleaner to remove old oxidized wax from the surface before applying a new coat of wax. Apply the cleaner just as you would the wax itself, using circular motions and letting the cleaner dry to a haze before buffing it with a soft, clean towel.


* For longer-lasting shine and protection, use paste wax rather than a one-step liquid type.