How to Wash Your Car

Washing your car properly will give it a stand-out shine, while properly protecting the paint.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car wash soap (NOT dish soap)
• Car wash mitt (to lift dirt without scratching, do not use a sponge)
• Bug & Tar remover/net covered sponge
• Chamois
• Clay Bar
• Orbital buffer and polish (optional)
• Paint sealer
• Wax
• Cotton terry cloths

1. Mix the car wash soap and water in a 5 gallon bucket according to the directions on the product.

2. Rinse the car with water in the shade. Never wash in the sun or the water will dry causing water spots.

3. Soak the wash mitt in the soapy water and wash one panel at a time. Use back and forth strokes, not circles. Start on the roof then work your way around the car. Rinse each panel after you are done. Be gentle!

4. If there is any gunk or bugs stuck on the paint, use the bug & tar remover sponge with some soap after washing with the mitt. Go easy. If it still doesn't come off, leave it. Don't try too hard.

5. Take the nozzle off the hose and with the free flowing water rinse the entire car. This will cause most of the water to "sheet" off making drying easier.

6. Moisten your chamois and ring it out. Then, drag it across wet spots on the car to dry it. Ring it out often.

7. For anything still stuck to the paint (bugs, tar, paint, fallout, etc) use an automotive clay bar.

8. To polish the paint and remove swirl marks, water spots, and other imperfections, use an orbital buffer like the Porter Cable 7424. This step can be skipped. Most cars need to be polished about once per year.

9. Apply the paint sealer according to the directions on the bottle. Use very little. Spread it thin across an entire body panel. Wait for it to dry thoroughly and wipe it off, then buff it to a shine. Only reapply after polishing the car.

10. Apply the wax in a thin coat to each body panel, one at a time. After it hazes over, wipe it off with a cotton terry cloth. With another cloth, buff it to a shine. Most waxes last about 3 months. Reapply wax after this time.

Tips & Warnings

• Seek separate instructions on usage of the orbital buffer.
• For a professional appearance, apply a dressing to the tires like Tire Wet.
• Always wash, polish, and wax in the shade.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners, they will scratch the paint. No scrub brushes, brillo pads, etc.
• Do not use dish soap, it will strip the wax off the paint and it will dry out plastic trim.
• If you drop your wash mitt on the ground, do not use it until it's been thoroughly cleaned. Otherwise dirt stuck in the mitt could scratch the paint.

[GilinAtlanta]

on 3/24/2009 Good points.

[nanomatrix]

on 6/28/2007 I like NuFinish it's cheap, rather easily applied, can be used in the sun and beads water nicely. Downside, you have to the process twice in 30 days, but it lasts for a year.

[gobbleDgook]

on 3/2/2007 This guy knows exactly what he's talking about. Couple comments. Synthetic (not true wax) sealants may last longer than 3 months. Discriminant is usually beading. Polymers tend to produce very fine water beading. When that's no longer happening, it's time to reseal. True waxes (carnauba products may only last 4-6 weeks, depending on quality of product. You can apply a carnauba over the sealant to create a deeper shine.