According to 72% of customers who have their cars professionally washed every few months, car washes are time-consuming and expensive. Traditional car washes cost over $20 and can even get more expensive during the Canadian winter months. This season is where your car receives the worst beating --- moisture in the air quickly produces rust under your vehicle and corrodes the paint.

As a rule, you should wash your car at least every two weeks. But with a few simple tools, read the tips below to wash your car like a pro.

What Kind of Products Should I Use?

In washing your car, use a quality car shampoo, a wash mitt, and car wax.

Quality car shampoo

Use a car wash soap with a balanced pH. A highly alkaline (caustic) or acidic cleaner can strip your car surface of a pre-existing sealant. A neutral pH car wash soap can still clean your car extensively. Look for one that has a heavy-foaming formula. Loosening the contaminants is easier with a heavy foam, which could mean a safer and easier wash for you, too.

Do not use household cleaning agents like dishwashing detergent, hand soap, or glass cleaner on the paint. These products are not formulated for use on paint, which can be corrosive and lead to damage.

Wash mitt

A nice, big sponge can wipe a wider area than a small one. For some, they prefer using a special washing cloth made of synthetic material.

Take note that wheels and tires may be coated with sand, mud, and dust. Use a separate sponge to clean the wheels and tires. If mild soap and water don’t work, use a wheel cleaner. Before you use one, use a compatible cleaner with each type of finish (paint, chrome, clear-coat) on the wheels.

Microfiber Mitts

These mitts have long strands of microfiber, safe and perfect for interior detailing and wiping the glass. They won’t leave paint damage or swirl marks. Microfiber mitts are easy to keep clean and lasts longer than wool mitts. This mitt is effective at removing dirt stuck to the paint. However, they hold less soap compared to wool mitts.

Wool Mitts

These mitts are soft, very plush, and hold a lot of soapy water. And because they quickly lubricate the paint, you’d notice fewer micro-scratches and swirls on the paint. These sheepskin washes or wool mitts do not last long compared to synthetic wash mitts. You may find it hard rinsing and cleaning the mitt.

Car wax

Dark-colored cars show scratches more than lighter-colored cars. There are different waxes that you can use for your car. If your car’s just a year old, consider having a spray wax. This kind of wax is best for new cars and is suitable for plastic. However, spray waxes are the worst for durability.

The best for durability are liquid waxes. The major disadvantage of liquid waxes is that it takes skill and time to apply and buff evenly. If you’re looking for a wax that is easy to apply, use the paste kind.

When Is the Best Time to Wash Your Car?

Most expert car washers skip the wash for temperatures below 30 degrees. If your car is wet from washing, make sure that your vehicle is thoroughly dry before leaving the car washer. Icy-cold water that comes into contact with your door handles and locks may freeze it shut.

Also, choose a time of day where your car’s out of direct sunlight. Take note that if your car body is hot, it may be difficult to wipe off the quick-drying shampoo. Thoroughly rinse off the car to prevent spots from forming on your car paint.

How Do I Get Rid of Water Spots?

If your car has dark or black paintwork, these three steps can quickly remove and prevent water spots.

1. Observe the water spots.

If these have ringlets in them and feel rough, there may be hard water or acid etching. Hard water contains minerals that can leave droplets on the car. When hard water evaporates, any minerals are left behind as residue.

2. Use a wash mitt.

Wet the area where the water spots are by using a wash mitt. If water spots are new, wash the area and thoroughly dry.

3. Use vinegar solution.

Fill a bucket with 1 part white distilled vinegar, and 1 part distilled and clean water. Do not use regular tap water as it may contain minerals. Apply your solution for at least 10 minutes before rinsing the area with water and drying it thoroughly.

How Can I Avoid Swirl Marks?

Just like watermarks, swirl marks are often caused during the car wash process. These marks are fine paint scratches, also known as micro marring, that you’d see when light hits the car surface.

Swirl marks can be seen easily on darker-colored or black cars than lighter-colored ones. To prevent swirl marks, here are some tips.

• Keep your sponges and mitts clean.
• Don’t use harsh polishing compounds or paint cleaners.
• A worn-out chamois may cause swirl marks.
• Try to avoid polishing machines and buffers.

Can I Wash a Car That’s Hot?

If your car temperature is higher than 140°F to 150°F, let it cool down to 70°F to 80°F first. Keep in mind that heat may cause physical damage and corrosion.

If it’s hot, try to prevent washing your car in hot weather or direct sunlight. Again, shampoo residue and water may quickly dry when exposed to high heat.

If you can’t avoid it, wash your car earlier in the morning before the sun rises or after the sun is gone. You can also wash your car in the shade too or choose a suitable shampoo product.

What’s The Most Effective Way to Dry My Car?The most effective way to dry a car (preventing water spots or swirl marks) is by wiping with soft chamois, cloth diapers, pressurized air, and microfiber towels.

Chamois

Use a chamois made of mountain goat or sheep leather. This absorbent, soft, and completely non-abrasive wipe won’t harm your car paint. In wiping a car, start at the top and work your way down. Some chamois are a little abrasive. Choose one that is soft enough not to create swirl marks.

Cloth Diapers (Lint-free)

Use three diapers. With your dominant hand, wipe off most of the water and follow it up with your other hand. To completely dry off the glass, use another diaper to prevent water stains. After using, wash off the diapers and rinse thoroughly.

Pressurized Air

After rinsing your car, give it a full two minutes before you completely dry your vehicle with pressurized air.

Microfiber Towels

When used in drying cars, microfibers don’t leave any streaks. Lightly dampen the towel before you start. Again, start at the topmost and then work your way down to the cracks.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When washing cars, avoid these common mistakes.

1. Use dish soap or other household detergents. Keep in mind that dish soap or other detergents may be too harsh on the car’s paint and cause corrosion.

2. Clean the tires or wheels last. These are the dirtiest part of the car. If you clean these parts last, you’ll risk splashing brake dust, dirt, and debris back onto the clean paint. Take note that car wash soap is designed to clean paint, not your tires. At the same time, wheel cleaners or tire cleaners are designed to clean rubber, not your car.

3. Wash the car in direct sunlight. Water spots are most likely to form when you wash cars under the hot sun. Also, shampoo can get dry easily under the sun, forming spots.

4. Overwaxing. It’s important to wax your car, but overwaxing may lead to wax build-up. The extra wax makes your car paint appear dull. According to expert car washers, two coats of waxing is enough.

5. Drying your car with a regular or abrasive towel. An old t-shirt, regular towels, and your old chamois are abrasive and will result in tiny scratches on your car.

6. Wiping missed spots with a drying towel. You may transfer the dirt from these missed spots to other clean parts of your car. Use a damp microfiber towel, instead, to reduce friction between the towel and your car.

Are Automatic Car Washes Bad For Your Car?

Automatic car washes are bad for your car. The brushes are usually not properly maintained and may be abrading your vehicle, causing swirl marks. These swirl marks or micro damages can be repaired by removing the damaged coat layer using compounding and polishing. However, most paint correction techniques such as these usually cost over $1,000.

These damages build over time, dulling the paint as the scratches become more noticeable. Even touch-free washes cause damage. When high-pressure hoses (water or foam cannons) are used, they may damage the paint. Also, touch-free washes don’t reach some areas of your car.

Your car gets quite a beating with harsh summers and frigid winters. Keeping a car washed regularly will make it more resistant to scratches and nicks, plus keep its trade-in value high. Your clean and shiny car can be as flashy as a Ferrari (or close to it) with the valuable tips mentioned.

Looking to have a new vehicle? Read ”The 4 Best Features of the New 2020 Ford F-150” to learn more.