Car Washing Techniques

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Car Washing Techniques

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Introduction

Maintaining the surface of your vehicle is as important as maintaining the vehicle's engine. A car that runs great and looks good may actually bring in a higher resale value than a vehicle that runs great but has a poor appearance. A clean vehicle's paint will last longer and need fewer expensive repairs than paint that is allowed to become dull and thin due to oxidation.

In today's modern industrial environment the surface of a vehicle is subjected to daily abuse. The sun beats down on your car all day every day, pollutants and dirt deeply embed themselves into your paint, and minute slivers of metal become lodged into your paint which eventually rust. If you have owned a white vehicle or have observed one then you may have noticed specks of rust. Those metal slivers are the cause.

Car washing techniques vary amongst individual vehicle owners. Car washing is an essential function of preventive maintenance. Keeping the exterior of a vehicle clean prevents rust and oxidation and also reduces the occurrence of fine scratches. This article attempts to relay the most common method and the significance of this pastime. Washing a vehicle with soap and a sponge is not the main body of work. In fact, this is only the preparation for the real cleaning. Soap and sponge will not remove all contaminants from a vehicle's surface. Other products will be required such as clay bars, cleaner wax, polish, etc.

It is recommended that you read the section in your owners manual about washing your car. There you will find specific instructions and cautions for cleaning the equipment in your particular model, such as prohibiting the use of acid based wheel cleaners.

In the next section we discuss the various equipment that you will need.

Equipment

There are a number of items that aid in making car-washing an enjoyable and convenient practice. Old clothes and shoes are recommended in order to avoid soiling preferred clothing. If the weather feels hot then it is preferable to wait until later in the afternoon. The vehicle could also be relocated to a shaded area such as under a tree, but do not leave a clean vehicle under a tree overnight as a combination of tree sap, pollen [1], and fallen leaves may collect on it. If the weather is too cold, then the risk of contracting hypothermia (or simply experiencing discomfort) exists, and the water may freeze onto the car. Also, if rain is forecasted for when the vehicle is scheduled to be washed or for shortly after, then postpone until the threat of rain has passed. A fresh dose of rain can leave dirt and water spots — [2] grayish circles that form on the vehicle after a rainstorm.

The most common car-washing equipment:

Two clean buckets. One bucket has the car-washing soap and the other bucket has water for rinsing the sponge in order to avoid washing your car with dirty water.
A sponge or wash mitt made of thick soft foam (not a dishwashing sponge). Diapers, cloths, shirts, etc. are not recommended.
Some car-washing soap. Never use dish detergents; they are far too harsh and will strip any applications of wax. Another reason to not use dish or laundry detergent is that they are harder to rinse off with cold water and may therefore leave soap scum behind.
A water hose that is long enough to reach around the vehicle without having to be draped over the trunk or hood.
A chamois, which is a super-absorbent cloth that does not leave lint on the vehicle.

The Auto Detailing Wiki - [3]
The Detailing FAQ - [4]
Waterless car cleaners - [5]

Location

After the proper equipment has been gathered, the vehicle needs to be in a proper location (preferably in a shaded area, away from direct sunlight). A flat, dry, and clean surface such as a driveway or parking lot is prime; however, a gravel lot that is relatively clean will suffice. If neither are accessible, surfaces such as grass or dirt will work; however, mud may splash onto the vehicle when the hose is aimed at the tires. If the vehicle is washed on grass or dirt then the vehicle should be left until the ground and vehicle are both dry before the vehicle is moved.

Procedure

Wash, wax and detail in the following order:

Brush, vacuum, and clean the interior. Either prior to, after, or on the same day.
Clean wheels and tires. To avoid splash back from the wheels. Also, use tire brushes and never use them for the body of the car!
Wash exterior
Apply tire dressing
Polish wheels
Clean & Treat exterior trim
Polish and then wax exterior paints

Clean the interior

Because washing a vehicle thoroughly can be an all day job you can opt to clean the interior the day before or the day after. It would depend on how much discipline you have. See the Detailing Wiki article on interior cleaning for more info. [6]

Clean the Exterior

Washing the Paintwork

In order to avoid deep scratches, the vehicle must be rinsed thoroughly before a sponge is applied. To do this, always begin at the top of the vehicle and rinse down. If the weather is particularly hot that day, the process will most likely require repeating, even after just a few minutes. Always make sure that the section of the vehicle that is being washed is wet. If possible park the car in a shady area. Also, morning or afternoon are preferable times.

Pour a liberal amount of soap into the bucket (making sure it is free of debris first) and then fill it up with water. Follow the manufacturers recommended instructions for which quantities of soap and water to use. Dip the sponge into the water and wait for it to absorb as much soapy water as it can. Squeeze the sponge repeatedly while swirling it around in the water. Squeeze excess water out of the sponge and then apply it to the roof of the vehicle. Always wipe the vehicle's surface in straight motions (to avoid making fine swirl marks), remember to begin with the roof and work down the sides to the bottom of the vehicle. If the weather is hot, then soap the vehicle in small sections (I.E. a panel at a time), and then rinse immediately. If not, the heat can dry the soap onto the vehicle's paint.

Washing the Wheels

It is highly recommended to use a different set of equipment (sponge, bucket etc.) for the wheels. This will reduce the risk of scratching other parts of the paint work, as the wheels are usually the dirtiest part of a vehicle.

There are two common ways to clean the wheels of a vehicle.

The first way is to clean them with soap and a wheel brush. The choice of brush rests largely on the design of the hubcaps or wheels.

First, ensure that the wheels have been rinsed with water. Next, scrub them with the wheel brush being careful not scratch the hubcaps' paint. Note: hubcaps with grooves in them can contain a lot of brake dust, as can alloy wheels. These problem areas can require extra time and scrubbing.

The second method is to use spray on, rinse off chemicals. Directions for these should be found on the bottle.

Rinsing and drying the vehicle

An important step is rinsing all of the soap off of the vehicle. Begin at the top and spray downward to avoid splashing soap back up to the top of the vehicle. If your finish has a good coat of wax, make your final rinse with water of a moderate volume and low pressure about an inch above the surface rather than a high pressure spray. This will create a sheet of water producing fewer small water beads and will improve your drying results.

Afterward, dry the vehicle with a clean, plush microfiber towel. Microfiber towels are superior to chamois or terry towels and will prevent new scratches from appearing in the paint. As much as possible, dry the vehicle thoroughly including the nooks and crannies (door jambs, under the hood, trunk lid, etc.) to prevent water spots and premature corrosion. It is not recommended to allow the vehicle to dry naturally as minerals in the water will be left behind as the water itself evaporates.

Polishing

Many products are available on the market which claim to polish paint to restore luster. Some are more effective than others, consult your owners manual or vehicle manufacturer for a recommendation for your particular car. A popular polishing tool with many enthusiasts is the clay bar. Most polishes should be applied sparingly, usually no more than once or twice per year. Never use a polishing compound on a car with a clear coat. These compounds are far too abrasive and will remove the clear coat.

To use a clay bar, the surface of the vehicle must always be lubricated. Never rub the bar on dry paint, it will scratch. Additionally, if the clay bar is dropped on the ground, it must be discarded. The contamination it picks up would subsequently be ground into the paint if it continues to be used.

Waxing

Most car wash solutions claim to have wax in them, however the amount they contain is usually not enough to offer significant protection to your vehicle. It is therefore recommended that a "hard" wax be used. These can come in a variety of forms, including pastes, liquids, and sprays. If water applied to your paint forms very large droplets or does not bead at all, it should be waxed. A general rule of thumb is to apply wax when the beads become larger than 2.5 centimeters (1 in).

Since there are a wide variety of products, follow the instructions for application on your particular product. Apply wax to one section of the car at a time, and let haze. Once this occurs, remove the wax by buffing with a folded microfiber towel. Changing to different folds often will make removal of the excess wax easier. After removal, it may be necessary to open the doors to remove wax residue at the edges of the panels.

External References

The Detailing Wiki - [7]
The Detailing FAQ - [8]

End Result

End result

Car-washing is an activity often referenced in movies, songs, and other media. Keeping a clean vehicle goes a long way toward improving the appearance of the vehicle, even if it is a few years old. Regular washing and waxing will prolong the shine of the vehicle's paint.

Other Resources

The Auto Detailing Wiki - [9]
The Detailing FAQ - [10]