Have you spent a valuable sum of money just to get your car washed by commercial car wash services and yet wasn't satisfied? Have you thought of washing your car in the garage by yourself instead of seeking help from somewhere else? Do you wash the car or just cause swirl marks that disfigure it? People who care about their cars avoid those quickie mechanized car washes and concentrate on washing their cars by themselves so as to achieve great results. Washing your car in the garage by yourself can be a more satisfying and fruitful activity when done the right way.
Below is a detailed step by step guide on how to wash your car in the garage.
1. Preparing To Wash The Car
i. Park the car in a shady spot
Never wash your car out in direct sunlight. The sunlight will cause the water to evaporate much faster thus making the cleaning process difficult. Additionally, this can also cause splotches on the car due to premature drying which can ruin the car’s exterior. To avoid all these wash your car in the garage.
ii. Obtain the necessary washing tools and attire
This includes washing detergents, microfiber cloths, towels, wash mitts, sponges and brushes to name a few. Depending on your car size ensure you have an adequate supply of water. Also, have on the appropriate clothes, shoes or sandals depending on the weather.
2. Washing The Car
i. First, hose off the car
Connect a hose to a tap or water supply and gently spray the car with a jet of water. Hosing removes dirt particles from the surface thus making the detergents to be more effective.
Word of caution: ensure the water pressure is low to prevent scratches from appearing on the surface of the car.
ii. Wash the wheels
Once the hosing is done, it is advisable to start by first washing the wheels. The wheels are usually the dirtiest part of the car. It's better to wash the wheels first so that dirt from the wheels do not get on other parts of the car which you may have washed and cleaned. To clean the wheels, use a long skinny brush that can wiggle between the openings in the tyres. Be sure to use a detergent/cleaner that is friendly for your wheels and rims
Make sure you rinse each wheel thoroughly before you move on to the next one.
iii. Wash the car in sections, starting from the top
Once the wheels are done, it is time to wash the rest of the car.
Divide the car surface into sections and wash each section with a large wash mitt and detergent. A sponge is also just as effective in washing as a washing mitt. Choosing to wash the car from the top to the bottom will allow the soapy water to drip down to the lower sections and also prevent you from washing a particular section twice. A car which is very dirty may need multiple cleaning sessions so as to ensure the car is thoroughly washed.
When washing, be careful to avoid causing swirl marks as a result of over scrubbing the car because of dirt.
Be sure to rinse each section after washing it. This can be done through hosing. Immediate rinsing ensures the soap does not dry on the paint and cause unsightly stains.
iv. Save the lower body of the car for last
Finally, wash the bottom of the car. Be sure to use a separate wash mitt or sponge as it is likely for the wash mitt to be completely soiled at the time of having to wash this part of the car.
NB: As you wash the different sections ensure the car remains wet throughout by hosing it continually. Do not let your car air dry as this will cause unpleasant watermarks on the surface.
3. Drying and Waxing the Car
i. Dry the wheels
Once the washing is complete, it is now time to dry the car. Obtain several microfiber towels and wipe down all the surfaces that you’ve worked on. Be very thorough. It is vital that no water is left standing as this can later cause the paint to tarnish or facilitate the formation of rust.
Once the external surface is dry, open the doors and wipe the interior.
There are different car seat cleaners and other cleaning agents available for the various car materials.
ii. Wax the car surface
Once the surface is dry, apply wax to the body. Be sure to use the right wax. Wax for white cars should not be used in the same way like wax for black cars.
The wax (or polish) acts as an insulator that protects the paint from deteriorating after prolonged exposure to the sun. Additionally, wax acts as a shield that protects the paint from grits and dirt that is continually being kicked up in the air by vehicles in the highway.
iii. Use water repellent on the windows
For the windows, use a water repellent to prevent adhesion. This ensures the windows remain transparent at all times. Also be sure to use glass cleaning agents to clean your windows as these are more effective than waterless car wash when cleaning car windows.
iv. Treat paint damage and rust as needed
If in the course of your cleaning, you come across rusty or damaged surfaces, it is advisable to patch these up using the right agents that blend with your car. Remember not to wax these patched up areas until they are completely dry to prevent unsightly marks from forming and to ensure uniformity is achieved.
Conclusion
If you’d like to protect your car, it is best to avoid mechanized car wash services that utilize big brushes as those will not achieve the best results. A more suitable option to keep your car clean and shiny is to wash your car by hand using soap and water. This will not only save you money that you would have spent in a car wash service but will also allow you to focus on specific areas on your vehicle that tend to receive little attention during mechanical cleaning.