Showroom shine is like the golden snitch in the Harry Potter series (full disclosure: fan of the books). It’s elusive, and even if you do catch it, it tends to slip away from hour hands too fast! Similarly, many car owners visit different car washes to maintain or get back the showroom shine, and only some are successful.
What if you could get that magical shine at your home? Yes, it’s possible. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about washing your car at home in this post. Keep reading to know more.
Washing your car at home is never an easy task. You need to have the right equipment and should be familiar with car wash techniques. Make sure all the equipment you need is near you and is placed where you can reach them. Here’s a list of equipment you need for a perfect car wash. Remember this is not an exhaustive list:
Begin your car cleaning process by pre-washing your vehicle. You can cause scratches on your car’s paint if you straight away try to rub the dirt off the dry car. Use a foam cannon or water to give your car a pre-wash. A thorough pre-wash will help remove the light dirt stuck onto the car’s body and loosen up the tough dirt – this will make your cleaning process much easier.
Wheels and tires are often the dirtiest part of the car and always wash them first. The possibility of splashing the dirt from the wheels onto the car’s body is pretty high if you clean them at last. That’s why we recommend beginning the self car wash process from your wheels. Use a high-pressure washer or spray nozzle on your hose to remove loose dirt, mud, and debris.
Next, apply the tire cleaner – don’t use the regular car wash cleaner – scrub the tires thoroughly using a brush. After you are done with the tires, apply the car wash shampoo or soap and scrub to remove dirt stuck on the wheels. Finally, using water rinse the wheels and tires and dry them using a microfiber towel.
To clean your car’s exterior, use two buckets of water. Fill one bucket with car wash soap solution and the other bucket to collect the dirty water and rinse your mitt. We’d recommend you split the car into different sections in your mind and work on one at a time to avoid water spots. First, dip the mitt into the bucket containing the soap solution, and clean your car using the soap-filled mitt.
Once you’re done cleaning a particular section or notice the mitt getting dirty, dunk it in the second bucket to rinse or wring it out. Also, begin cleaning your car from the top and work your way downwards.
The water-less car wash method is a great option for people living in places with an acute water shortage or if you want to get your car cleaned with the minimum usage of water. Here are the steps for a perfect water-less car wash:
The water-less car wash method is recommended for cars that have light dirt on them. If your car is loaded with heavy dust and dirt, we suggest using a manual car wash or visiting an automatic car wash near you.
The rinse-less car wash is considered as the combo of both the hand car wash and the water-less car wash method. Car owners can simply wipe off the wash solution after applying it instead of rinsing the car again. If you’re looking for a quick, eco-friendly, and scratch-free car wash experience, then a rinse-less car wash is your best bet. Here are the steps you need to follow in a rinse-less car wash:
Do you still use squeegees, old clothes, and rags to wipe the water off your car after cleaning it? Firstly, the items mentioned above cannot remove the water effectively from your vehicle’s body, which can cause water spots on your car. Secondly, these items can cause hundreds of micro-scratches on your car’s paint and can damage your vehicle’s clear coat over time! All car wash experts recommend drying your car using microfiber towels.
The microfiber towels have the quality to can absorb large amounts of water and are non-abrasive too. Using the microfiber towel, you can remove the excess water from your car without causing any damage.
Sometimes microfiber towels cannot reach the nooks and crannies of a car – this is where a blower can come in handy. You can use a leaf blower or a car blower to get the job done to perfection. Also, this is one of the safest methods to dry your car since no equipment comes in contact with your car. The chances for scratches being caused is none.
Car detailing experts recommend a clay bar treatment after washing and drying your car to make it look glossy. We recommend buying the clay bar kit in any detailing store if you’ve never tried the clay bar treatment. The kit will contain clay bars, microfiber towels, and detailer spray or lubricants. Here are the steps you need to follow in a clay bar treatment:
A perfect car waxing can give your car a noticeable showroom shine. The car waxing process is difficult and needs to be performed with utmost care. What’s more, car waxing not just makes your car look shiny, it can also serve as a protective layer for your vehicle’s clear coat. If you find it difficult, you can always visit an auto detailing center near you.
Top tip: Never pour the liquid wax and polish directly onto the surface of the car. It can cause uneven dark streaks on your car’s finish and damage its color.
We know washing your car at home can sometimes get complicated and time-consuming. You can use websites and apps like Way.com to find the top-rated and affordable automatic car washes near you. The car wash booking process on the Way.com app is very simple:
Download the Way.com app to find the best car wash near you.
