Wash your vehicle
Washing your car is the process of systematically removing contamination, dirt and other debris from the exterior of the vehicle. In most cases it is best to wash your car once a week. Making sure the proper materials are used when washing your car will help minimize the return of fine scratches to the paint surface however, this cannot be completely eliminated.
Make sure you have everything you need to achieve the results you want while causing the least amount of scratching by using the following products. Start off by purchasing the following:
2 foam wash mitts
Microfiber towel for drying
2 buckets
Ph balanced soap ( DO NOT USE DISH SOAP)
If available soft water should be used to avoid hard water spots
Mild wheel cleaner
Soft paint brush ( tape the metal part with duct tape)
5-10 smaller microfiber towels
Tire dressing
Window cleaner without ammonia
Leaf blower
Vacuum
Wax sponge
These are a few of the items we use a Detail Addiction and you can find similar items online at our detail store.
To start put some car wash soap and water in one bucket and plain water in the other . You will rinse your mitt in the clean plain water before you dip the wash mitt back in the soapy bucket.Start of by finding a nice shady spot if possible. Spray the wheel cleaner on the cool rims and agitate with soft paint brush. Wash off the rims before moving on to the next one. Do not allow the wheel cleaner to dry on the rim as this can leave permanent streaks. Next spray the vehicle with water making sure to get as much dirt and grime off the car as possible before moving on to the wash portion. This step will help limit the amount of car wash scratches. Starting on the hood, wash the top portion of the car moving along the sides and top, re wetting the mitt in the soapy water often, this will also help lift the dirt away from the paint. Make sure to use a back and forth motion not a circular one. Rinse off the suds. Now you are ready to wash the lower portion of the car. Start on one side and work your way around the car making sure to wash all areas to remove grime and road film. The reason for the separate mitts is to avoid dragging contaminates from the lower,more dirty part of the car up onto the top. Rinse the car again. Now use your large microfiber towel to dry the car, wringing the towel out when needed. The use of a microfiber will also help minimize the surface scratching. Make sure to dry the windows also. For the next step use your leaf blower to blow water out of all the hard to reach areas. Start with the wheels. Make sure to point the blower at the lug nuts and move your way out to the tires. Next blow water out of the seems, emblems and mirrors of the car. Do one more walk around with the large microfiber to wipe the remaining water off. Use a small microfiber towel to wipe down the rims of any remaining water.
Now it is time to move to the inside of the vehicle. Use your vacuum to clean the floor mats and seats, making sure to move them back and forth to get all the items under the seat. The next step requires the use of a small microfiber. Get the towel wet and fold into 1/4. Wipe down the door panels,dash, steering wheel,center console and seat (If they are leather or vinyl). Do not use harsh soaps on the leather as this will remove any oils that this skin needs to not dry out.
Using a small microfiber towel proceed with washing the windows. Spray window cleaner on half of the front windshield. Using a Frame (Frame the outside of the window before moving to the inside of your frame) motion clean the window. Now turn the towel over and dry the window. Continue this step around the outside of the car and then move to the inside. Note: you can use the wet microfiber from drying the vehicle to wipe the windows instead of window cleaner.
Next using a wax sponge apply rubber dressing to the tires. For a more mat look wipe the tires with a microfiber towel. When washing your microfiber towels it is imperative that you not wash wash your window towels with any other towel as this will cause streaks on the windows the next time you use them. Also wash them alone with no cotton towels and DO NOT use a dryer sheet when drying your towels.
I hope this will help you get the results you are looking for. If you need any further advice please feel free to contact me.
