There are many reasons you might choose to wash your car by hand, not the least of which is saving anywhere from ten to twenty dollars a week that you would spend at the car wash instead. It can be a really therapeutic thing to spend time making your car, which is one of your biggest investments, look great all the time. There’s also the peace of mind that comes along with cleaning your car yourself instead of handing it over to someone else to wash.
Deciding when to wash your car is pretty simple. It’s good to make a date with yourself to wash your car on the same day every week. In addition to that, though, be sure not to let any gunk build up. Dead bugs, bird droppings, sap, and chemicals—all cause lasting damage to your car. If there’s too much buildup over a period of time, you could need to sand and repaint, which can get quite expensive. On a regular (daily or so) basis, be sure to get rid of those normal types of buildup. Outside of that, your weekly scheduled wash will suffice. Also, be sure to go ahead and wash after a large rain if your location prone to acid rain.
Though the ease and convenience can certainly tempt you to use a cleaner or soap you already have around the house—hand soap, dish soap, all-purpose cleaners—don’t. Cleaners like these are not meant for cars and can strip the wax. Instead, invest in a soap that’s actually meant for car washing. You can find these at car shops as well as hardware stores and even general home stores. When you’re applying soap, use either a soft sponge or a mitt. Be sure to use a separate sponge for the wheels and tires, as they are much more likely to have particles like sand and dirt that can scratch the paint on the body of the car. Depending on the types of driving you’re doing, you might need a stronger, specialized product for the wheels. There are different types of cleaners for different types of finishes, so make sure you don’t get one that’s not for the kind your car has. To be on the safe side, you can get an all-purpose car cleaner. You’ll also want a bucket or two.
Your goal while washing your car is to wash and rinse one section at a time, rinsing the soap (as well as dirt) off before it has a chance to dry. Keeping this in mind, you want to be sure not to wash your car while the car is hot. This applies to when it’s been running as well as to when it’s just been soaking in the sun. The hotter the body of your car is, the faster the water will dry, which makes it more likely that you’ll get soap spots. So make sure it’s cooled off or has been parked in the shade for a bit to avoid those. Don’t move the sponge in circles, as this can cause scratches. Instead, move the sponge in continuous lines. Be careful to keep the sponge free from dirt particles or any kind of large buildup, as you don’t want to scratch the paint. In this same vein, don’t continue using a sponge that’s been dropped on the ground without cleaning it thoroughly. It’s practically guaranteed to pick up those particles you’re not interested in. As you’re washing, make sure you rinse your sponge in between each section of the car. It’s also good to rinse from top to bottom.
It’s important to thoroughly dry your car so it’s not streaky or spotty after your wash. So definitely don’t let it air dry, and don’t think going for a drive around the neighborhood is going to cut it either. Though it can be easy to get done with the washing part and just throw in the towel (literally and figuratively), don’t let your hard work go to waste. See it all the way through. Also, make sure you don’t use an abrasive towel. To dry your car successfully, use a soft terry towel or a chamois. To avoid those streaks and spots, it’s best to blot the car, rather than wiping the towel in a straight line. You can also try a squeegee with a soft rubber end.
