Your car is your pride and joy, so you want it to reflect that everywhere you go — especially with warmer weather taking hold. It’s not always easy to make that happen, thanks to pollen, rainwater stains, bird droppings, and grime left over from winter.
Taking your car to a drive-thru washer might sound like a quick and easy fix, but it can actually have the opposite effect of what you’re going for. So how do you wash your car like a pro? We’ve got a few tricks for you below.
5 Definite Dos for Your Spring Cleaning Car Wash
Clean while the car is cool
It might be tempting to give your car a bath after a long drive, but hitting it with the suds after it’s had time to warm up is a no-no. Washing it after it’s been in direct sunlight for a while should also be avoided. Why? Because a hot surface will cause the soapy water to dry faster, leaving stains and deposits in its place.
Rinse well before you begin
It might sound counterintuitive since you’re going to give your car a full wash anyway, but you should perform a thorough water-only rinse before you get to the nitty-gritty. Otherwise, if there’s any loose dirt or debris, it can cause scratching on your car’s body.
Use a car-specific cleaner
Online do-it-yourself gurus might suggest alternative products for achieving that like-new shine, but when it comes to your car, it’s best to stick to car-specific cleaners. That means household items like dishwashing detergent or hand soap are off limits. While good for a variety of tasks, these products can strip your car’s paint if you’re not careful. Car-specific cleaners are much milder.
Wash with a non-abrasive sponge or towel
You want to remove any pesky dirt from your car, but you don’t want to remove its beautiful finish. That’s why you should use a large soft sponge and wash section by section in a lengthwise motion. Doing so will drastically reduce your chances of leaving scratch marks.
Dry the car by hand
You’ll be itching to take your car for a stroll once you’ve got it looking so sleek, but you should resist the urge until you’ve dried it off. Letting it air dry or taking it for a spin while it’s still dripping wet will cause watermarks.
You’ve come this far. Make the extra effort and use a terry towel or chamois to hand dry it yourself.
Touch All Your Service Bases in Madison, WI
Of course, having a car that looks nice doesn’t matter if it doesn’t run just as well. If you need something done that a simple rinse and lather won’t wash away, schedule a service at one of our convenient locations today.
At Zimbrick, we know how much your car means to you. That’s why we want to help you make it the best it can be — inside and out.
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