How to Clean a Car Exterior
Washing the exterior of your car is not difficult. However, there are steps that can make it go faster. With the exception of cleaning tires and wheels, working from top to bottom is almost always best; otherwise, you'll often have to re-clean what you've just cleaned. For example, if you clean the hood before the roof of the car. dirty water from the roof may later run down, re-soiling the hood. In addition to following a proper sequence of steps, you should use cleaners appropriate for cars.
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Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Warm water
- Car wash shampoo
- Car washing mitt or sponges
- Water hose
- Cloth towels
- Wheel and tire cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
Instructions
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1
Rinse the entire car off with a water hose. This gets rid of loose debris that could scratch the paint when you wash the car.
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2
Spray wheel and tire cleaner on the wheels and tires. Wipe off any leftover grime with a soft cloth.
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3
Mix car wash shampoo and warm water in a clean bucket. Dip a washing mitt or sponge in the suds and wash the top of the car first.
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4
Wash the outside of the doors and windows. Use a liberal amount of suds, dipping the mitt or sponge back into the soapy water as frequently as necessary.
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Wash the back end and back bumper of the car. Next, wash the hood and front bumper with the car shampoo and water solution. Wash the side mirrors at this time, too.
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6
Rinse the car completely. Use a clean towel to dry the entire car. Drying this way helps prevent water spots. Go over it with a microfiber cloth to bring out the shine. Polish the wheels with wheel polish, if necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
If windows and the windshield are exceptionally grimy, use an auto glass cleaner to clean them after cleaning the rest of the car.
If your car has a waxed finish, use only car shampoo products that won't dull the wax. If the wheels are hot, park the car in the shade and let them cool down before cleaning (some finishes may be damaged otherwise).
