Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Not cleaning your car for a long time can have severe effects on its exterior, including fading your car’s finish, rusting or any other form of corrosion, limiting visibility while driving due to a dirty windshield, etc.
While a clean and shiny car looks great, it won’t stay clean for long since it has to go through road dust, bug splatters, and salt residue if you drive it regularly. However, washing your car exterior frequently can help retain its shine and maintain cleanliness. Continue reading the article below to learn how to clean your car exterior.
Short on Time – Here’s a Quick Summary
Cars have become essential parts of our lives. However, cleaning them sometimes becomes challenging. To clean your car exterior, rinse it using a garden hose or pressure washer to wash off that dirt from its exterior. Once done, make a soapy solution and scrub it on your car by cleaning one section at a time. Rinse it off again. Dry it using a towel, and you’re ready to go.
How to Clean Your Car Exterior?
To keep your car appearing new, you need to maintain its cleanliness and detail. So in case you last washed your car a while ago, this is your reminder to go and clean it as soon as you get the time to do so.
Knowing how to wash your car is vital to make it look in tip-top condition. Like it or not, car cleaning is a job that needs to be done from time to time.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Before we discuss how to clean a car yourself, consider the following table to get an idea of how to clean different car exterior parts.
Here, we have made a list of steps to help you clean your car exterior yourself.
Material You Need
- Garden hose or a pressure washer
- Bucket
- Microfiber cloth
- Car wash detergent or shampoo
- Car wax or polish
- Sponges
- Brush with soft bristles
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Don’t invest in cheap car washing materials. Your car exterior cleaner should be your holy grail, so you better find a good one.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Let’s explore the steps to clean your car exterior.
Park Your Car Under a Shade
While many of you consider this step petty, it is vital when washing your car exterior. Direct sunlight while you wash your car will make the water and the soap studs dry quickly, leaving spots on your car. Therefore, your vehicle needs to be cool while you wash it. Please park your car under a shade or where less sunlight reaches its surface.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Extreme heat will make the water dry quickly and affect the chemical pH in the products you’re using for cleaning.
Remove that Dirt Off
Before applying any exterior solution, you have to remove the dirt and grime from your car to wash it properly. Then, you can either use a garden hose or a pressure washer. The latter proves to be more effective in removing tough dirt. However, if you don’t have a pressure washer, use a garden hose to rinse your car properly.
Caution: Never stand too close to the car while using a pressure washer. Also, follow adequate safety measures when washing your car using one.
Apply Soap on the Car Exterior
The next step is to apply soap to your car’s exterior. Take a bucket and make a soapy solution using the car cleaning shampoo. Ensure the bucket has a grit guard in it to catch the grind. Once the solution has been made, apply it to your car using a wash mitt.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
It is recommended to rub the wash mitt in a straight motion instead of a circular one. Also, ensure keeping the mitt clean while applying soap to reduce the chances of dirt buildup on the car and damaging the paintwork.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Starting With the Roof
I have seen people wash cars and apply soap on the entire car at a time, leaving it and getting to work. However, there are better ways to do it. First, wash one section at a time and then rinse it with water. It is advisable to start from the car roof, proceeding to the hood and the rear. It is better to go top-down while cleaning, as it helps in reducing your workload.
Hose Off Your Mitt
The urge to dip the mitt without hosing it off every time forces us to make this mistake. However, there are better approaches than this. Before you put back your wash mitt in the bucket, hose it off to remove any dirt, it might have caught while rubbing on the exterior. Start with a clean water bucket; the advisable condition is that you end with clean water in the bucket.
Clean the Windows, Windshield & Headlights
To clean the windows, windshield, and headlights, it would be great if you have a separate window cleaner soap. If not, you can use the same car shampoo to clean the windows, windshield, and headlights. Rub the soapy solution onto the windows and headlights and wash them off.
Clean the Wheels
Coming your way down, you’ll reach the wheel, which is the part of your car having the most dirt and grime. Apply the soap with scrub onto the tires and rims. You can also use a brush with a soft bristle to clean this part, as it may have tough dirt stuck. Brush off the grime and rinse the wheels.
Rinse & Dry
Once you’re done washing each part of the exterior, from roof to top, rinse the entire car again to wash off any soapy residue left on the car. Dry your car right after rinsing it, as water droplets may leave stains on the car. Then, dry it using a towel or microfiber cloth.
Work on the Detail
Once all the dirt and grime have been removed from the car’s surface, you can work on its details. While this is optional, it will enhance your car’s shine tenfold. First, follow the car wash process by waxing the exterior and windows. Next, grab car wax or polish and apply it using a specialized buffer or brushes made to apply the wax. If you don’t have a buffer, you can also use a cloth to do it.
Car wax is sunscreen for your car. It protects your car exterior from UV rays to prevent fading.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Car vacuum cleaners come in many designs and forms, the most common of which is the handheld car vacuum. Top 15 Best Car Vacuum Cleaners in 2018 cleaner.
Conclusion
Cleaning your car exterior is relatively easy. However, some drivers have a love/hate relationship with the process. We have provided easy steps to enjoy the car wash process, clean your car yourself, and save that extra money spent on expensive car wash. You must wash your car, apply a soapy solution section by section, and rinse it thoroughly. Go from top to bottom while cleaning your car.
FAQs
To clean your car:Park it in a shady area.
Rinse the exterior thoroughly before applying soap to it.
Use a good quality car shampoo to make a soapy solution.
Apply the soapy solution to the car and rub it in a straight motion.
Wash one section at a time.
Start from the roof and end on wheels.
Rinse the car, dry it, and apply car wax to enhance its shine.
While many people use dish soap to clean their cars, it is not recommended. Many automotive engineers prohibit the use of dish soap for a car wash. Since it is not formulated for car washing, it may strip off the car’s protective wax and damage its paint.
You can use a mild laundry detergent if you don’t have car soap to wash your car. However, it is advised to use a car shampoo or soap since it is milder and designed for use on automotive paint.
Don’t use household cleaning agents to clean your car, such as bleach, abrasive cleaners, thinners, dish wash, etc., as they can damage your car paint and strip the protective wax.
You can use a dedicated car shampoo or soap to scrub your car with a wash mitt or scrub gently. Please don’t use offensive material on your car, as it can damage it.
