10 steps to wash your car at home properly

When washing your car by hand, the owner needs to follow these steps to keep the car clean and shiny without damaging the car's paint surface:

1. Park in the shade, avoid direct sunlight.

Before washing your car, park it in a shady area or choose early morning or afternoon when the sun is not too harsh. This will help prevent the car from drying too quickly and leaving stains. Close all windows to prevent water from entering the car's interior.

2. Prepare necessary items

If you regularly wash your car at home, you should prepare the appropriate items to achieve efficiency and not affect the details on the car. Cleaning items include: car wash soap, water supply (depending on the size of the car), microfiber towels or bath towels to dry the car... You should prepare two or three specialized car washing gloves, a large sponge, and a separate brush to scrub the wheels.

3. Use specialized solution, mix in the correct ratio

Do not use laundry soap or dish soap because these solutions contain a lot of detergents, high alkalinity... which can easily affect the protective layer of the paint surface, over time will reduce the color of the car's paint. Instead, you should buy soap specifically for washing cars sold at auto parts stores.

Use two buckets when washing your car, mix soapy water in the first bucket; mix the right ratio of water and soap according to the manufacturer's instructions. The other bucket contains clean water to rinse the towel.

4. Use a water jet to soften and loosen dirt and sand stuck on the car.

Use a hose to spray off mud and dirt from the body and wheel arches. Do not use a hose with too much pressure on the car, as this can cause dirt to rub against the paint and cause scratches. Try to spray water from top to bottom on all surfaces of the car to remove dirt.

5. Wash all 4 wheels first

The wheels are usually the dirtiest part of the car, so they should be washed first to prevent dirt from splashing onto other parts that have already been cleaned. For this part, a special brush should be used to scrub the grooves on the wheels and rims. If the wheels are already clean, a sponge can be used to wash the wheels just like washing the car body after spraying off dirt.

6. Clean each area, starting with the roof.

Wash the car from top to bottom, allowing the soapy water to run down. This will avoid having to wash the same spot twice. If the car is very dirty, let the soap and water do its work. Rinse frequently and avoid scrubbing the car with grit, as this can scratch or damage the paint.

7. Clean the cleaning cloth and sponge after each cleaning.

After each time using a cleaning cloth or sponge to wipe the car surface, dip it in a bucket of water, rinse it before dipping it in a bucket of cleaning solution to continue wiping. This will remove sand particles stuck on the cloth or sponge, helping to prevent scratches on the car after each wiping. Wash the cleaning cloth regularly in a bucket of clean water and replace the water when the water becomes cloudy or contains grit or sand.

8. Use a water hose to wash the car body after wiping with soap.

After cleaning each area of ​​the body, use a hose to rinse it off. Do not let the soap dry and stain the paint. Always wash the door jambs, the moldings (the metal around the window frame) and the bottom of the doors.

9. Use a water hose to spray the undercarriage of the car.

Once you have washed most of the car's surface, use a hose to spray the undercarriage from different angles.

10. Use a clean towel to dry the car.

Use a soft, absorbent cloth to dry all washed body surfaces to prevent rust. Make sure no water is left on the vehicle while it dries, as this will dull the paint or cause rust.

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