There’s nothing more satisfying than a professionally cleaned vehicle. If it’s part and parcel of the maintenance process for your vehicle or to prepare your vehicle to sell, washing your vehicle can be a breeze to complete at home, too!
If you follow the correct technique and tools, cleaning your vehicle regularly will ensure that your car is protected and help keep it looking its top. It can also help keep small damage from being obvious which can help maintain the value of your vehicle, as well as maintaining your vehicle’s appearance for longer.
Here are a few of our best suggestions on how to clean your vehicle at your home.
1. Cleaning tools are required
It’s crucial to determine how well your vehicle is in good condition car before you clean it. This will allow you decide on the type of cleaning materials you’ll require to wash your car.
Ideally, the cleaning equipment and supplies should contain:
- A hose that has variable nozzle
- A soft sponge, or a car wash mitt
- Car wash liquid
- Several microfibre cloths
- 1 (or two or) large towels made of microfiber to dry.
- Three buckets, one for water that is clean and one for dirty water and another filled with water and cleaning solutions that is specifically designed for your wheel.
There are other things you may require:
- A vacuum cleaner designed for the interior
- Rubber gloves
- Wheel cleaner
- Paper towels
- Window cleaner
However, I believe it would be a challenge to determine that, so if you make use of the most efficient car cleaning kit that will receive all the tools you need all in one place, perhaps it will be simpler for you to do it. Before you apply any product to your car , be sure you read the instructions inside the product you are planning to apply. Certain car cleaning products are all-purpose , and can harm the paint, coating or other finishes.
A car that is older may require an effective cleaning routine using waxes, clays, and polishes in order to protect the paint, whereas a more recent vehicle may have a sturdy clear coat that’s intact. Car cleaners are made to stop any loose dirt or grime from scratching your car’s paint, in addition, they’re soft enough to ensure that they don’t damage the existing coat of paint.
#2: Where do you clean your vehicle
Although it might be tempting to wash your car during the warm and sunny days but this is actually a common error.
It’s generally accepted among professionals who detail your cars that you shouldn’t clean your vehicle in the direct light of the sun. The soap, water and cleaning supplies will dry quickly in sunlight leaving streaks and swirl marks on your car’s paint and windows.
Instead, you can take the time to wash your vehicle on an overcast day on a cool surface , with an available spray bottle. You might also want to park your vehicle somewhere level so that there is ample space to open the doors.
#3: Cleaning the wheel
The first step is to begin with washing the dirtiest area of your vehicle that is typically the wheels. Separately wash your tyres with fresh buckets of water, so that you don’t spread dirt and grime on the paintwork of your car.
Consider investing in a tyre cleaning brush along with a microfiber fabric, a sponge that is separate and a tyre-specific cleaning solution prior to washing your wheels.
Non-corrosive, water-based wheel cleaners are suggested for all types of automobile wheels. They’re the most safe option when it comes to cleaning products for tyres. Then, you can apply the coating to your wheels using the cleaning solution you choose. The solution should rest for a few hours and then clean the dirt off of your tyres by using a brush.
Then, spray your wheels with clean, cool water to get rid of the cleaner from your wheels. After cleaning the wheels, make sure you dry them using an unclean microfibre cloth.
#4: Clean the headlights
It is important to remember to wash your headlights, too. The plastic headlights that are stained by sun will begin to yellow as they age which makes them less effective when driving and affecting the appearance of a perfectly well-maintained car.
For cleaning your headlights, you can wash them down using the aid of a cleaner and then wipe them with a damp cloth after you’ve finished. Apply a protective coating to revive your headlights following washing.
#5: Clean the exterior
The body of your vehicle will aid in removing any dirt, dust, or mud. This can avoid any more scratches to your car’s paint .
Clean each part of the vehicle (moving from the top to the bottom) to clean large pieces of dirt. Make sure to make use of soapy water from a clean bucket to clean the body of your car! If you want to wash off the soapy water, it’s ideal using a hose that does not have the spray nozzle. With a low pressure this kind of hose can allow water to flow easily down from above the car to the bottom (this is known as the sheeting technique).
Then, you’ll need to dry your vehicle with a big microfiber cloth or chamois before proceeding to the next step. Be aware that your vehicle must be completely dry prior to applying any protective coating or wax.
#6: Cleansing the glass and windows
Cleansing the windows and glass inside your vehicle will not only provide an attractive exterior, but will can also let you safely drive without having to strain across the windows.
It’s vital to know that normal glass and tinted glass require cleaning in various methods. You should utilize window cleaners designed specifically for windows in cars instead of products such as Windex which could be hard on the exterior of a car’s window surface.
When cleaning your windows it’s recommended to spray the cleaning solution directly on the surface and wipe it off with a microfibre cloth to stop the spray dropping. Then repeat the process on the inside of your vehicle too. It is best not to park in the sunlight while cleaning your windshields and windows to ensure that the product you use to clean will not evaporate, leaving an unpleasant smudge or sticky residue.
#7: Cleansing the inside
We’ve all experienced how difficult it can be to keep the interior of a car spotless especially with children or pets, maintaining the interior of your car can be neglected.
Here are some tips you can take to keep your car’s interior clean: the interior of your car:
- Get rid of all garbage out of the car (this is also on the ground or under the mats as well as in the car seats).
- Take your floor mats out from the vehicle and shake them to eliminate dust or dirt. They can be scrubbed with hot water and soap, and allow them to dry completely before putting them back in place.
- Vacuum both the front and back seats and the floor, as well as under the pedals, as well as the door panels on the sides.
- Cleanse off dust, dirt and grime using microfiber cloths or cleaning wipes. Spray a small amount of car-specific cleaner on the steering wheel, console and in between the car seats.
- Clean your cup holders by using cloths for cleaning or a sponge dipped into a cleaning solution.
- Clean up spills on the carpets and seats with an specialized cleaning solution and then clean it with a damp cloth.
- It is possible to use a paint stirrer , which is then wrapped in the final part by a microfibre cloth reach those difficult-to-access areas between the seats as well as around the central console.
If you’re a vehicle owner, you’re probably constantly looking for the most effective vehicle interior cleansers that will keep the car tidy and fresh. If other cleaners don’t take away dust, dirt and grime, then this certainly will!
After washing
Once your car is cleaned and washed, the next step is to add the shine as well as protection.
The next steps could comprise:
- The surface must be prepared Use clay bars to eliminate suborn spots, as well as any wax that has been used.
- Repare scratches Fill in smaller scratches and scuffs with an even coat of wax. You can also use scratch-specific repair products for more severe scratches.
- Polishing for more gloss This procedure is not mandatory and is an excellent alternative for those who want the highest gloss sheen to transform your car’s paint like mirrors.
- Wax to shield Wax is an anti-corrosive coating that blocks UV rays, and shields the paint of the vehicle from any that is corrosive.
But, if you’re seeking to keep your shine and security at home, take a look at Car Wash Finder This tool is proudly made available through Budget Direct to help you locate, and evaluate your next car wash.
