Get Your Inside Windows Clean
Your car windows need to be bright and clean if you want your car to look good, and that starts with a good cleaning of the interior glass. Automobile windows pick up all kinds of dust, streaks, and smudges through regular use, and when you have children, those smudges add up quickly.
Give your interior windows a proper wash to ensure they continue looking great. The best way to clean car windows is to wipe them vertically on the interior, and horizontally on the exterior, or vice versa. If you have any streaks when you are finished, you can tell which side of the glass they are on.
- Gloves
Don the gloves to avoid leaving new smudges. Spray cleaner into a cloth rather than onto the window, and use a circular motion to clean the glass.
Repeat until the glass is clean and replace your rag when it gets too dirty. When youve wiped away the cleaner, use a dry cloth to polish away any streaks.
Move And Secure The Car
Washing your car isnt as simple as walking outside on a sunny day and sudsing up the exterior. Your vehicle might not be ready for cleaning. You need to make sure your car is in a good location for the wash, and you also need to ensure that the vehicle is secured and ready for the soap and water.
Move your car to a shaded location before you begin your cleaning. When you wash your car in direct sunlight, the soap and water dry too quickly and leave streaks and dull spots on the cars finish.
You also need to make sure that the interior and exterior are secured and ready for cleaning. Roll up all windows, retract all antennae, and ensure that the hood and trunk are closed and prepared for their big day.
Can I Wash My Car Without Water
Yes, you can. Though it wont result in the best possible clean for your car, if you have limited access to water or perhaps there is a drought in your area, you can do a waterless car wash. We recommend the Shine Armour Waterless Car Wash & Wax. Just spray it on to a clean microfiber cloth and gently wipe from side-to-side. Use multiple microfiber cloths to maintain cleanliness. Repeat until the entire car is clean.
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How To Wash A Car In 8 Easy Steps
- 1: Gather Car Washing Products
- 2: Fill First Bucket With Water And Soap, Fill Second Bucket With Just Water
- 3: Hose Off The Car Before Beginning The Washing Process
- 4: Wash The Wheels
- 5: Wash The Entire Car Using a Wash Mitt
- 6: Rinse The Car Using The Hose, Pressure Washer, Or Foam Gun
- 7: Dry The Car Using Clean Microfiber Towels
- 8: Clean Glass Exterior With Glass Cleaner
- Extra Credit: Once Dry, Wax The Car
You now know how to wash a car like a pro! Sure it takes a little elbow grease, patience, and time, but the reward is so worth the effort.
Gather Car Washing Products
Lets get started by rounding up the products that will make your car shine! More than anything, its important to use the correct products when you wash a car. Using the wrong products could potentially scratch or damage your paint or degrade the finish.
First, you will need two buckets. If you read that and thought, Well, I only have one bucket, so Ill just use that, we promise you, it is worthwhile to use two buckets perhaps the most important step in how to wash a car! The first bucket will be for soapy water. The second bucket will be used as a dirty rinse bucket and will also have the next item you need: a dirt-trap. This 4.5 Gallon Detailing Bucket and a Dirt Trap Bucket Insert from Chemical Guys are great options.
Next, you need to make sure that you have a hose. If you dont have access to running water while washing your car for any reason, you can use a Spray Detailer from Shine Armor with a Microfiber Towel for a waterless wash. With that being said, using water whenever possible is our recommendation.
Then, gather the products needed to wash your cars wheels. You will need a Wheel Brush and Wheel and Tire Cleaner.
Finally, gather the products used to clean the entirety of your vehicle. This includes a Foam Gun , a Wash Mitt, Car Wash Soap, and Glass Cleaner. If you want to go the extra mile, you can finish off your car wash with Car Wax and Detailing Spray.
In short, all of the items you need can be found here:
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Wash The Exterior Top To Bottom
Moving on to the body, start by thoroughly rinsing the vehicle with clear water to remove as much dirt, bird droppings and other stuff as possible so you wont be rubbing sand or other grit into the paint finish when you wash with a sponge. Start with the roof and work your way down to the wheels and tires. Be sure to spray inside the wheel wells, under the rocker panels along the sides and under the bumpers and around suspension components, where dirt can collect.
If there still are insect strikes, bird droppings, spots of tar or other crud after rinsing, apply a bug and tar remover to take care of them.
Dip a sponge or mitt into soapy water and thoroughly wash all surfaces, one section at a time.
One approach is to wash the horizontal surfaces with soap and rinse with clear water before moving on to the sides, front and rear so the soap doesnt have a chance to dry.
Hi Im Gary The Water Guy And I’m Passionate About Water Filtration And Cars If Youre Looking For A Quick Simple And Fun Video On How To Wash A Car And Get The Best Results Youve Come To The Right Place Today I’m Sharing 12 Tips And Tricks That Will Make You The Envy Of The Neighbourhood With Your Super Clean Car These Tips Are For Everyone No Experience Necessary And You’ll Love My Fast Drying Technique
A clean car not only looks great but it also protects your vehicle’s paint, and can help slow down oxidation and rust. Plus, youll get better resale value for your car at trade-in time if it’s kept in great condition.
Everyone loves a clean car but not many people know how to get the best results doing it themselves. Here are my top tips & tricks on how to make your DIY home car washes super easy, fast and help your vehicle really shine!
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Can I Use A Pressure Washer To Wash My Car
If washing a car with a pressure washer, make sure your car can take it. On some cars, the higher pressure could damage the:
- Paintwork some nozzles or attachments can increase the chance of a pressure washer affecting the paintwork, as can holding the washer too close to the car.
- Plastics plastic parts such as bumpers and door mouldings can be damaged if pressure washed at close range.
- Interior of the car pressure washers can sometime force water past door seals or into expensive electronic units. When it comes to washing around the engine or under the bonnet area, it’s best to avoid using a pressure washer.
Spray Degreaser Then Work Top To Bottom And In Sections
Once the wheels are clean, rinse the car down again, and grab your microfiber mitt and buckets. If there are any areas with heavy-duty dirt like bug guts, spray it down with some degreaser and let that soak in a bit to break it up.
Once youre ready to start washing, dip your mitt in the first bucket with clean soapy water, then start on the roof of the vehicle and work your way down. Do one section at a time, and slowly progress around the entire vehicle. After washing each section, dip your dirty mitt into the second rinse bucket, shake off the dirt and let it fall into the dirt traps down low, squeeze out the dirty water, then dip the mitt back into the first bucket with the soapy water. Move on to the next section until the car is completely clean.
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What Soap Should I Use To Wash A Car
Always use soap specifically designed for washing a car. Car wash soaps are specifically formulated to help remove dirt and grime while protecting your cars paint. While you can make your own concoction out of liquid detergent in a pinch, it is best to purchase high-quality car soap. Refer to our Best Car Wash Soaps guide to find the best soap for you.
Do A Final Check For Water Marks
After closing everything back up, check to see if water has trickled out through gaps between body panels and check the outside mirrors, bumpers, grilles and areas around lights for telltale water marks.
Voila! Youve given your vehicle the TLC it deserves.
Dont Miss a Spot. Photo Credit: Getty / bernardbodo
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Can I Just Wash My Car With Water
While an initial rinsing of your car with only water does help get rid of loose dirt and debris, it does not really clean your car. Rinsing with water is a necessary step, but it only preps the car to be fully cleaned. If you only rinse your car with water and nothing else, it will still be dirty. You will need to use soap to fully remove all dirt and debris.
Rinse Your Sponge Or Wash Mitt Frequently
Rinse your sponge or mitt in clean water frequently to remove dirt and reload it with soapy water. If your vehicle is filthy, you should have a second bucket of soapy water ready in case the first bucket gets too dirty.
Rinse Your Car With a Steady Stream of Fresh Water. Photo Credit: Getty / KatarzynaBialasiewicz
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Dry With A Clean Soft Towel
Wipe water from all surfaces with a clean, soft towel, preferably one made of chamois or microfiber cloth that will readily absorb water but wont leave streaks. Though it sounds counterintuitive, chamois and microfiber do a better job of drying when theyre slightly damp. Rinse and wring them out periodically to keep them clean and damp.
Dry Your Car With a Clean, Damp Chamois. Photo Credit: Getty / NorGal
Fill First Bucket With Water And Soap Fill Second Bucket With Just Water
The two-bucket method helps prevent damage to your car by reducing the likelihood of dirt or debris from your wash mitt scratching the paint. First, use the hose to fill the first bucket with soap and water. Make sure to use the correct ratio of soap to water, as directed on the bottle. Then, use the hose to fill the second bucket with only water. The second bucket will be used solely as your rinsing bucket. Dont forget to add the dirt trap to your rinsing bucket.
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Use The Two Bucket Method
The best way to ensure the dirt youre wiping off doesnt end back up on the car is to use the two bucket method. Both buckets should be equipped with a grit guard insert, so dirt is trapped at the bottom and doesnt float back to the surface. Have one bucket with your car wash solution, while the other will just be water for rinsing your mitt. When washing your car, make sure to use a high-quality car wash shampoo that has high lubricity and foams really well. We recommend using a microfiber mitt of your choice, stay away from sponges.
When filling your buckets, make sure to use the proper mixture for your car shampoo as recommended by the manufacturer. Use a strong jet or stream to fill your shampoo bucket, making sure the solution produces plenty of suds.
If you are using a pressure washer with a foam gun, you can get away with just using a single bucket for rinsing your mitt.
Start With The Wheels
Wheels that are particularly grimy or covered with brake pad dust are a good place to start washing. A spray-on wheel cleaner allowed to sit on the wheels for a few minutes will reduce the amount of rubbing needed. For grimy wheels, its a good idea to have a separate sponge and bucket of soapy water just for them. If the wheels and tires arent grimy, you can probably save them for last and skip the wheel cleaner.
Wash Your Cars Wheels First. Photo Credit: Getty / gilaxia
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How To Wash A Car Properly
Washing a car is simple, but to do a great job of it there are a few things to bear in mind. This guide will run through how to get your car shiny and fresh in just a handful of steps.
What you need to wash a car
- A hose or pressure washer.
- Specialised car wash soap or wash wax.
- A sponge.
- Car polish.
1. Spray the car down
Use a hose or a pressure washer to clean most of the dirt and grit off the outside.
2. Work from the top with soap
Apply your soap or wash wax at the top, moving downwards so dirt doesnt run into parts youve already cleaned.
3. Rinse as you go
Avoid soap marks by washing down the parts youve soaped before moving onto other areas.
4. Wipe the area down
Leaving a car to dry naturally can result in a streaky finish or watermarks so make sure to dry sections properly using a microfibre cloth or towel.
5. Clean between the doors
When everything else is dry, open the doors and boot and use a damp cloth to clean between the cracks.
6. Clean the wheels
Use a separate damp cloth, brush or sponge to wash the wheels down too.
7. Wax and polish
Once the car is clean, waxing the outside or using car polish will help it look even better. It has the added bonus of protecting the car for longer, meaning fewer washes in the future.
You could also use this opportunity to perform some basic car checks to save on maintenance time later.
Book your MOT, service or vehicle check quickly and easily with Smart Care.
The Video Tutorial On How To Hand
Car Bibles editors understand that not everyone is a text-based learner. For the visual people out there, we have your back with a video showing you exactly how to wash your car the right way. We pulled it from a trusted source, and its a great additional resource.
Disclosure: Carbibles.com is also a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Programs, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Pages on this site may include affiliate links to Amazon and its affiliate sites on which the owner of this website will make a referral commission.
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Rinse The Car With A Hose
After youve got your buckets set up, you get to tackle the car itself. The first step to take when cleaning the cars exterior is to give the entire vehicle a high-pressure hose-down. Hitting your car with plain water dislodges any debris and cleans much of the car on its own.
Always start with a pressure wash before moving on to soap and scrubbing. Use a controllable nozzle to manage the water flow.
Watch the hoses water pressure and adjust it as needed too much pressure can blast away the paint along with the bug or bird droppings. Work from the top of the car on down, and spray down the wheels wells and tires, too.
How To Hand Wash A Car
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Sure, fancy car washing makes it quick and easy to give your vehicle a good cleaning, but what if you want the best for your beloved road warrior? No automatic car wash will give you that showroom shine that can even make human-powered transport enthusiasts do a double-take. Instead, the best way to clean your car is doing it like Model T himself did thingsby hand.
Get ready for a wet and wild “adventure” that’s fun for the whole family, especially little kids you don’t have to pay. Here’s how you can wash your own car by hand.
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Clean All Debris From Your Car
After youve moved your car, staged all gear, and gotten yourself adequately attired, you still have one more task to perform during your prep work. Your car is probably full of random bits of your life, such as yoga mats, toys, car seats, and more. Clean all of that wreckage out of your car before you proceed with the wash.
Remove anything that isnt attached to the cars interior. Pull out any trash, luggage, or anything else that you find floating around the car. This moment is an excellent opportunity to relieve your car of anything extra youve been hauling around. By the time you finish your preparation work, your cars interior should be empty and ready for a proper washdown.
