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So, it’s that time of year again, the famous spring clean.
The marigolds are out, the polish is being sprayed and you’ve moved all the furniture to clean places that never get touched the other 364 days of the year. Having gone through all this trouble to get your house looking great, do you give your car the same level of care and attention?
I am sure for most people, their car is very important to them – it is, after all, the second biggest investment you’ll ever make. Your car needs to be looked after and cherished to protect that investment – This includes giving it the spring clean it deserves.
In part 1 of this blog we will look at the steps you should take to make the outside of your car looking its best. So, ladies, gentlemen, all that is reading. Get your rubber gloves on, your notepads out and your wax at the ready! Happy washing.
Before I even go into it, if you jet wash your car the paint work is not going to come off and your car is not going to fall apart. The best advice is to rinse beforehand to avoid grit scratching the paintwork. The say a cluttered desk is the sign of a genius well a clean car is a statement of beauty.
The best advice I can offer you for the main wash is to have two buckets, one filled with warm water and the other filled with warm water and car shampoo. Before you return your sponge/cloth to the soapy water, rinse it thoroughly in the water-only bucket. This will reduce the chances of grit damaging your car while you are cleaning it.
Car shampoo? I hear you say - who needs to use this? Well – You wouldn’t use body wash to wash your hair, so why use washing up liquid to wash your car? You shouldn’t use washing up liquid on your car when you wash your car because it contains a lot of salt which can strip away the protective layer of wax from your car and can cause rust.
The amount of shampoo you use varies from product to product, but the way you shampoo your car doesn’t and like anything, the technic used is just as important as the product.
It is essential to use an excellent quality sponge and a clean bucket of water. Add the correct amount of shampoo to the water, mix and clean! As simple as that.
Quick tip – Always work from the roof down and don’t touch the wheels until the end. This is because you will be less likely to pick up grit which could scratch your paintwork.
Obviously, when your water gets dirty, tip it away and use fresh water. Likewise, wring out your sponge to avoid spreading dirty water around.
When it comes to cleaning you car’s alloy wheels, follow the 4 R’s:
Rinse
Rub
Remove
Rinse
Yes, it’s as easy at that. Rinse the alloys to the remove grit and dirt, Rub the wheels with a wet sponge, Remove dirt from the alloys with alloy wheel cleaner and Rinse for that shine!
As simple as it sounds, rinse the shampoo away. Ensuring you start from the top and work your way down. Rinse until all the shampoo is off and then you are ready for the next stage.
It’s the finer details that really matter. Here is a little tip to the cleaning process that often get missed which can make a real difference to your car – tyre dressing. You can transform your wheels from looking old and worn to being black and bold again with a simple tyre dressing. All you must do is apply to wet or dry wheels and rub over to make them look as good as new.
Wax protects your paintwork, and in the long run it will make your life a lot easier. Although it may seem a hassle it is well worth it – it protects your car’s paintwork and will make it easier to clean next time round.
So, there you have it, 5 steps to a shiny exterior of your car. Keep your eyes peeled, part 2 will be coming shortly.
If you are looking for approved car cleaning products, then have no fear Smiths Motor Group is here. Please contact our parts department who will be happy to advise you on whatever your needs may be!
Disclaimer: When using any product on your car we recommend you read the instructions carefully and spot test in a less visible area.