How To (Cars): Washing Your Car Part I (Exterior)

I will be writing a series on how to wash your car. The only reason I am doing this is because people always come to me for advice on how to keep their car clean (I'm pretty notorious for driving a showroom clean car), so I figured that if I write out a how to list, they can just read up on it on my page.

My way of washing a car is to keep it simple, but includes all the necessary steps to keep it showroom clean. It takes a little more effort than just rinsing, soaping, and waxing, but in the end, you will be proud of your efforts.

Materials:
2 Buckets
Hose with running water
Car wash shampoo (NOT dishwashing detergent)
Clay bar kit
Car wax
Wax applicator
Sponge
Chamois or simliar item
Rain-X
Tire dressing with applicator
Microfiber cloth

1. Put car wash shampoo into one bucket (usually two capfuls) and fill with water until the water suds up. Do not use dishwashing detergent, since the chemicals are so strong, they will cut through previous wax, polishes, etc.

2. Fill up the other bucket with water only. This bucket is for rinsing. I'll explain later.

3. Rinse down your car with a hose in a shaded area, or at least when the sun isn't blaring onto your car. If you wash your car in the sun, the sun can bake the water onto your car causing water marks, which are not only unappealing, but difficult to take off. Rinsing down the car washes off all the loose dirt, which will prevent you from scratching your car when using the sponge.

4. Dip your sponge into your bucket with car wash shampoo, and start wiping your car down. The suds from the shampoo should pick up the dirt away from your car, and break up grease and other road grime. Work your car from the top down. Each time you wipe down the car with your sponge and need more suds, rinse the sponge off in the OTHER bucket with just water, then return your sponge to the bucket with shampoo. The reason for this is so you rinse off the dirt from the sponge before you get more suds. If you rinse off the dirt in the shampoo bucket, you could potentially be wiping dirt back on to your car, which could ultimately scratch your car. And on top of that, the soap won't be as effective because the soap water will get dirty.

5. Wash your rims last. Rims consist of brake dust, dirt, and small rocks from the roads, all of which will get your sponge extremely dirty. You will want to use the rest of your shampoo on your rims, constantly rinsing out your sponge as well. If the shampoo doesn't wash off all the grime, you can use an all wheel cleaner. I've had good experience with the Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner. And the best part, is when you use an all wheel cleaner, you usually just have to spray it on, wait for a few seconds, then rinse it off. Then you don't have to scrub your rims to get off all the dirt.

6. Rinse off your car with the hose. The best way to use the hose isn't a high pressured nozzle. You want to be gentle to your car, so allow the water to flow from the house (without the nozzle) and let the water sheet off the car. If you want, you can use the high pressured nozzle on the rims to wash off all the dirt.

7. Use a chamois or simliar item that soaks up water (I use the Absorber, and LOVE IT). Instead of wiping the car down in swirling motions, just lay the chamois over sections of the car and allow the water to soak up. Wring out the chamois and continue drying the rest of the car. Gently wipe down the areas that aren't completely dry.

8. The next step is to clay your car. This should be done maybe every 3-6 months. To see if you need to clay your car, run your hand over any portion of your car. If you feel some imperfections, such as little bumps, a "sandy" feel over your paint, there are contaminants on your car. Contaminants are what tree sap, bug droppings, bird droppings, etc., leave behind, even after you wash them off. When all the contaminants are stripped off, your car paint will feel as smooth as glass.

Basically, you take the piece of clay, spray the car with a lubricator, and using the clay bar, wipe down the car. I've had much success with the Meguiar's Quik Clay Detailing System, but Mothers is also a good choice. Clay all painted areas of your car, and wipe off the excess lubricant with a microfiber cloth.

9. Now it's time to wax your car. The most quick and easy type of wax is Meguiar's Cleaner Wax. I also like to use the liquid form rather than the paste, since it's easier to apply and remove. The reason why I use a cleaner wax instead of just wax, is because the cleaner wax also removes swirl marks, stains, grease, and everything else the car wash shampoo couldn't. On top of cleaning the car, it also polishes, waxes, and protects your car paint. The wax also comes off very easily, and provides a deep shine. ALWAYS wax your car after you clay bar your car. This allows the wax to provide a coat over your clayed car, giving you the deepest shine and smoothest surface.

Place some wax on your wax applicator or microfiber cloth, and using a swirling motion, apply the wax onto your vehicle. Work one section at a time, and allow the wax to haze. I usually double coat the hood, roof, and trunk of my car, since those are the areas that get the most sun, rain, and environmental factors. Buff off the wax with a clean microfiber cloth.

10. How about them tires? Having a really shiny car with dirty tires is like dressing in Gucci but wearing tattered dirty shoes. Using a tire dressing applicator, apply some tire dressing onto the curved applicator. Using one swooping motion, apply the dressing onto your tire. It will not only make your tire cleaner, but it will also be somewhat shiny to very shiny (depending on which tire dressing you purchase). Other alternatives are tire sprays, where you spray the tires and walk away. The foam will break through the dirt, and as the foam starts to melt away, the tire is left clean and shiny. I find that tire dressing lasts longer than tire sprays. Use whatever suits you best.

11. Lastly, take care of your windows. Remember those water spots? The longer you keep that on there, the harder it will be to take off. Remember driving in the rain and finding that the wipers don't really help all the much? The solution is to coat your windows to make them slick, so the water just beads and flies off. I personally use Rain-X, and don't want to use any other product since Rain-X just works great. You can drive 30 mph and watch the rain fly off.

Put some Rain-X on a paper towel or cotton cloth, and with a firm swirling motion, wipe down your windows. Make sure to cover all sections of the window. Allow the Rain-X to haze. Re-apply if necessary. I usually double coat my front and rear windshield because they get the most rain of all. Next, sprinkle some water onto the window and buff off the Rain-X using a clean paper towel or cotton cloth. This is the hardest part, since you have to rub pretty hard to buff off the Rain-X. If you don't, you'll see a slight haze on your window. Also, make sure you don't get Rain-X on your car paint...if you do, just quickly wipe it off with some water.

If you have more time, you can also clean off your black trim that are on some cars, such as the side mirrors, trim on your bumper, door handles, etc. I use Meguiar's Trim Detailer. Just apply some trim detailer onto a cotton cloth and gently rub it onto the trim. This is particularly good for trim that has wax on them, since it takes off all the wax and brings it back to a nice deep black. It also works for faded trim, and brings back the deep black in most cases.

Hope these pointers help with washing your car. Next time, I'll be talking about cleaning your interior. In the mean time, show off your newly cleaned car!