How to Wash a Car: The Basics
Washing cars sounds easy at first, but there are some better ways to do it. Check out the information below if you want to know how to wash a car and how to wash a car, truck or sport utility vehicle in the right order. Take a trip to your nearest Walmart, Target, or even Home Depot if you don’t have all the supplies to start washing your car.
What is the correct order to wash the car?
According to US News, the correct order for washing your car is: soap, scrub, rinse. If you want to wash it by hand, you need a soap made specifically for vehicles. Something like dish soap isn’t a good idea because it’s designed to work on the grease and wax you want to leave on the car. You should be able to find car wash soap at places like Walmart, Amazon, Target, Lowes, and auto stores like AutoZone or Pep Boys. This Armor All Automotive car wash is only $4.69 at Target.
When shopping, you should get some kind of washcloth or scrubbing pad. Turtle Wax is a good 2-in-1 microfiber car wash/scrubbing sponge that’s only $5.99 at Target. Grab some microfiber towels while you’re there to ensure safety. It’s a good idea to keep these clean and wash them separately from your regular laundry. Don’t forget a bucket if you don’t have one.
How to wash a car for beginners?
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Find a shady place to wash so you don’t wash a hot vehicle. Before using the soap you need water and a hose to wet the car. This also helps to remove any dirt that may have settled on the surface. Put your soap in the bucket of water and you can start washing your car.
“To reduce the risk of missed stains or dried-in soap, work in sections and rinse as you go. A circular motion is not necessary for cleaning.”
US News
If your wheels are dirty, try a brush to get them clean. Or at least use a different towel/glove as the wheels will have brake dust and other stuff you don’t need on your paintwork. Once your vehicle is sufficiently soapy, you can rinse it off. If you missed any spots, go over them again and rinse again. You’ll probably have to rinse it a few times and from a few angles to get all the soap out. Pay special attention to the roof to make sure nothing burns on the roof of the car. The trunk sometimes has to be rinsed extra.
How do I dry my vehicle after washing?
To dry, use a chamois, microfiber towels, or just a clean hand towel from your house (but please don’t use your mother’s good guest towels!). Let it dry quickly if you have time. You don’t have to, but it looks better without water stains. Dry your windows and leave them uncovered for an hour or two to allow your car to dry. You can use some non-ammonia window cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
You can also wax your vehicle once you are comfortable with it. There are many car waxes on the market to choose from, but you don’t have to take this step if you don’t feel comfortable. You will want to do it at some point because the wax will help protect your car’s paintwork over the long term.
That’s basically it! You can probably buy the basic car wash essentials for $20 at your local store. As you become more comfortable washing your car, you can incorporate more products into the routine.
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