How to Hand Wash Your Car Correctly

Are you particular about your car? Do you want to get it really clean? Well, hand washing is the way to go. A drive thru car wash is convenient, but they will not do the job that a hand wash will. Cars are one of our biggest purchases, and should be taken care of. Hand wash your car correctly, at home, and you will save money, too.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Water hose
• Bucket
• Liquid car wash
• Wash mitt or soft cloth for washing
• Shammy or soft terry towel for drying
• Paper towels

1. Rinse off your car, to wash away any loose grit. So when you start washing your car, loose grit cannot be picked up in your wash mitt or cloth and scratch the paint. Be sure to rinse under the fender wells, also.

2. Mix cold water and the liquid car wash in a bucket, per directions on the car wash label.

3. Using a wash mitt or soft cloth, wash your car in the following order. After washing each area, rinse to remove the suds. This will keep the car continuously wet, since you do not want it to dry and leave spots.
   *Start with the car roof, then the windshield, side windows, and back window.
   *Next, wash the hood, down to the front bumper level.
   *Now, go to the trunk, and wash down to the bumper level.
   *Return to the front of the vehicle (right or left side), and wash fenders, continuing down the side until your reach the trunk. (At this time, do not wash the very bottom panels on the side and under the doors. You do not want to pick up any grit that could scratch the paint.)
   *Return to the front, and wash the front bumper, then the back bumper, and lastly the bottom panel on each side. Make sure to wash your license plate(s) or their covers.
   *With paper towels, dipped into your wash bucket, wash around the edge of the fender wells. Dispose of paper towels since they may contain grit. With a new towel, dipped into your wash bucket, wash the wheels and front side of tires.

4. Rinse your car thoroughly, and with a shammy or soft terry towel, dry your car off in the same order as it was washed. Now, step back and admire your hand washed car.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not wash car in full sun, since the water will dry, and spot the car.
• When washing a convertible, use a soft brush to gently scrub the top.
• I use a pair of long kitchen gloves for washing my car.
• If you have bug splatter, you may purchase a special cleaner for this. (Add to your needed list.)
• If your windshield and side windows are cloudy, wet them down, sprinkle on glass cleaner, and scrub them with a paper towel. (Glass cleaner can be found in the grocery store; add to your needed list.) Be sure to rinse the windshield and windows, thoroughly, and down the sides of the car, to rinse away any glass cleaner residue.

Resources

• How to Do Car Detailing Correctly
• How to Polish Your Car By Hand
• Please Check Out My Other Articles

[jrockjams]

on 11/19/2009 Great info here. 5* and a rec!!

[saucywriter]

on 11/11/2009 Great instructions on hand-washing my car!

[theeroopable]

on 11/9/2009 You know I might have to start washing my own car, I've been too lazy in the past. Great article, thanks.

[chrisanimelo444]

on 11/2/2009 This will come in handy. Thanks for the tips!

[AnneZ]

on 10/29/2009 I love a clean car! 5*s