Owning a car does not only mean getting comfortably from one place to another. Whoever has a car also has to take care of it and maintain it. This also includes washing it both inside and out. In addition, the car can be washed at least from the outside by hand or in the car wash. Below we will offer you tips and tricks for car washing.

Car wash by hand against washing facility

We are not going to get into the eternal discussion of many vehicle owners about whether it is better to wash by hand or the washing facility. However, it is clear that in both variants’ mistakes can be made that will damage the paint above all. For hand washing, it should also be considered that it is not allowed in all places.

wash the car by hand

The right tools and cleaning products are essential. Car shampoo should be an oil cleaner. Also, "home remedies" such as oven cleaner should not be used instead of wheel cleaner. Some oven cleaners contain substances that cause a chemical reaction when they come into contact with aluminum, irreparably damaging it. The following tools and cleaning products are required for washing:

Wash from top to bottom

The vehicle should in any case be washed from top to bottom. The first step is to rinse the car to effectively remove coarser dirt such as sand. The grains of sand act under the sponge like sandpaper and scratch the paint. Therefore, the sponge should always be passed in the second pass while water is poured on the paint. It can be concluded that washing the car with only a bucket of water could be a problem. On the one hand, the sponge with a little water is passed over the paint, while on the other the dirt particles are always picked up from the bucket.

Soak off dirt on paint and rims

If it is a pressure washer or a hose, it is also washed from top to bottom first, but without the sponge for now. You should be especially thorough with the pressure washer or hose in the grooves in the bumpers and sheet metal, panels and rear. Also, the rims should be pre-washed intensively. This removes a lot of road dirt and brake dust. Two tasks now follow. Soap the vehicle and let the cleaner work. Meanwhile, apply the rim cleaner and let it work as well.

Wash with car shampoo and rinse

After the acting time, the shampoo is now rubbed gently with circular movements. Then continue washing the car with the sponge from top to bottom constantly pouring water. If you use a bucket of water, you should regularly soak the sponge in fresh water. The further down you go, the greater the amount of dirt and sand will be. Finally, the car is thoroughly rinsed with clear water. For the finish now start with a car leather.

Protect the paint with a sealing agent or car wax

It is now recommended to seal the paint when it is dry. To do this, you can use different products, from natural wax to chemical nano sealers. The protection time can vary from a few weeks to half a year, depending on the product chosen. However, we are not going to delve further into the topic of car waxes and sealants since it is a very broad field. The different sealant and wax products differ considerably both in their effect and in their prices.

Washing the car in a car wash facility

In a washing facility, the vehicle must also be pre-washed. Regardless of the design of the washing facility, sand and dirt particles would permanently damage the paint if not done. As for the facility itself, you are spoiled for choice. According to the tests of the automobile clubs, those with foam rubber offer the best results since this material protects the surface of the bodywork. The most dubious components are the rollers with plastic wicks that chip after prolonged use and practically whip the paint.

Car Grooming Professionals