Cleaning your car may be a tedious and boring task, but you just can’t avoid it. It is not something that you may look forward to; however, with the right car cleaning kit, your job becomes easier while your car gets a professional cleaning treatment.
Of course, with the array of car cleaning products flooding the market, selecting the right product is quite confusing. You have a range of brushes, sponges, cleaning cloths, cleaning liquids, and shampoos. Add to these the waxes and polishes that give the sheen to your car exterior. Also, don’t forget to wash the air-filters! Research indicates that a car’s life is extended by regular cleaning and maintenance.
Here are some best car cleaning tips promising a perfect finish:
Avoid Extreme Heat or Harsh Sunlight
The best times to clean your car are either in the mornings or evenings, provided the weather is suitable. Mornings are good because you don’t have to work yourself up under the hot sun. Moreover, working directly under the noon sun is difficult as the water tends to dry up faster than you can rinse. It often leaves telltale patches of the cleaning chemical. Also, extreme heat can affect the cleaning chemicals and reduce their cleaning power. So, clean your car at the right time, under the right weather conditions.
Work on the Grime First
Your car needs a pre-wash before you can give it an actual wash. You can hose off the grime on your car without even touching it. If you try to rub the grime, it is bound to get dragged along the paint and stuck.
It is advisable to use a pressure washer for the pre-wash, though getting too close to your car with a powerful pressure washer can work some of the paint’s top layer off. You may want to apply snow foam evenly all over, which helps remove the most stubborn grime. Use plenty of water to rinse the foam away, and wipe your car dry.
Don’t Use a Single Water Container
Just using one bucket and refilling it many times does not work in your favour. You’ll need at least two buckets, one for the cleaning liquid and another for plain water to rinse. Placing a grit guard or a filter on both buckets will help trap the grime. Again, remember that it is advisable to use a car cleaning kit with the requisite products to give a perfect finish instead of soap and water. Using a mitt is smart as it helps remove most of the dirt and doesn’t damage the car paint.
Avoid Silicone-Based Sprays for the Interiors
Silicone-based sprays are great for removing stubborn grime from under the bonnet. However, using them to clean the interior of your car is not advisable. While silicone-based sprays give a gleaming finish, they tend to make the pedals slippery, making it hazardous to drive.
Dry with a Blow-Dryer
Once you are done with the cleaning, your car is still pretty wet. While you can take it for a short spin to help dry it, it’s not a great idea as fresh dust will settle on the paintwork quickly. Also, the car won’t dry up evenly, leaving streak marks here and there. It is best to use a blow-dryer which dries up the car within minutes. You may also try using a microfibre cloth to dry your car manually. Brisk rubbing can put back the shine on your paintwork, making it look like new again. Most car cleaning kits include a microfibre cloth for drying.
Work on the Engine
Most people are content cleaning a car’s body and feel that gleaming paintwork is all that’s required. However, cleaning the engine and greasing the moving parts is also crucial for good maintenance of your car. There can be a lot of muck settled on the engine top, which needs to be cleaned patiently. Using high-pressure jets of water is not a good idea as water could enter the electrical system and cause short-circuits. It is better to clean manually and use silicone-spray on the hose cables. Greasing the moving parts is a good idea as it keeps them well-lubricated.
Most of us find car-cleaning a tedious and boring task. However, the trouble is worth it when you look at the gleaming paintwork after you are finished. Spending half an hour cleaning your car helps keep it looking as good as new.
You may want to hire someone, preferably a professional, to do the job for you; however, that would be an expensive affair. You can do it yourself with ease if you have the proper kit and the will to finish the job quickly.
