Keeping Your Car Clean and Shiny without Breaking Budget
Thursday, August 24, 2017, 6:00 PM | Leave Comment
It’s your car. You spend so much time in it. It could be considered your second home.
You wouldn’t let dirt and filth pile up in your home, why would you let it on your car? If you want the exterior of your home to look presentable, wouldn’t you want your car to as well? Don’t be fooled into thinking you have to pay hundreds to keep your car cleaned and waxed.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that only a professional is capable of keeping your car clean and shiny, when you could do just as good of a job (or better) for a fraction of the price, at home.
These are simple recommended by Rims and tires tried thousands of times true ways of keeping your car showroom ready without paying showroom prices.
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Understand Your Vehicle
The first step to keeping your car impeccably clean is understanding the condition of your car and the care it needs.
If it’s a newer car that has been regularly maintained with no damage, regular washing should get the job done.
If it’s an older vehicle that hasn’t been maintained well, it may take some deeper cleaning to really get the shine you’re looking for.
Remember, even if the appearance of your exterior isn’t important to you, it can add hundreds to thousands to the car’s value down the road.
Also, make sure you are using the right cleaners for your vehicle. If you are using store bought cleaning products for your vehicle, be careful.
Certain car cleaning products such as soaps, waxes, and detailers are specific to certain vehicle types. These can be damaging to other vehicle types.
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Washing Your Car Properly
Washing your car is the best way to remove dirt, dust, mud, and other contaminations. Regularly doing so will improve your car’s shine.
Always make sure to wipe off obvious problems such as bird droppings and mud as soon as you notice them. The longer a car’s exterior is dirty, the worse it damages the wax and the paint.
Do not use “quick wash” drive through car washes, the big, automatic brushes can deeply scratch your paint.
It is better for both your wallet and your car to learn proper car washing techniques, which we will cover below.
To properly wash the exterior of your vehicle, begin with rinsing with just water. This will remove any larger pieces of dirt and mud, which could scratch your paint if rubbed in.
When washing your car, be sure to only use car washing soap. It’s a common mistake to use liquid detergent or dishwashing soap on a car, this can destroy the wax.
Use a sponge to rub the car with your car wash soap, and then thoroughly rinse with water.
After completely washing your car, run your hands along the side of the exterior. If it’s smooth, your car is clean.
To keep up the maintenance on your shine, simply wash it again every 2-4 weeks. If you feel any bumps, your car likely has containments deep on the surface. This requires a deeper cleaning.
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Don’t Forget to Wash Your Wheels too
To really bring the overall appearance of your car together, make sure to keep your wheels cleaned as well.
When cleaning your wheels, always make sure that the wheel cleaner you are using is formulated for the type of wheels you have.
If you use the wrong type of wheel cleaner, you could severely damage your wheels. If you don’t know what kind of wheels your vehicle has, use wheel cleaner for aluminum wheels. It is the least powerful wheel cleaner available and is safe for all wheel types.
After all use only proven tire shine products for maximum effect. Do not use oil to keep your tires black.
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Getting a Deeper Clean on Your Car
After determining your car needs a deeper cleaning, move onto the next step.
Clay bars will remove everything on the surface, including the wax. To use the clay bar to remove bonded contaminants, start by kneading the bar into a flat wafer.
Then, using detailer as a lubricant, run the clay bar across the surface of your vehicle.
If there are scratches below the surface, you need a compound. To work compound paint cleaners into your vehicle, you can use a dual action polisher, or you could work it in by hand with applicator pads.
Sometimes, you may need to apply a compound multiple times before seeing the desired results. Keep repeating this process until satisfied.
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Giving Your Car the Million Dollar Shine
Once you have your vehicle thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to really give it that extra shine. Polish your vehicle after cleaning, as it will improve the paint’s shine. Then, waxing is the next step.
Wax will protect your paint and shields paint from harmful UV rays. It keeps your finish highly glossed. Wax is available in liquid and paste, however liquid wax is much easier to apply.
Only wax one part of your exterior at a time. Use an applicator pad to apply the wax in circular motions, and then let the wax dry for a few minutes.
Next, buff out the wax with a microfiber towel. You should wax your vehicle at least every 2-3 months. To quickly upkeep the gloss on your finish, occasionally wipe down your vehicle with a spray detailer.
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How to Clean Windows without Damage
Keep a vehicle’s window’s clean greatly improves the overall appearance. Never use a household window cleaner for your car windows, they contain anomas that damage a car window tint.
Instead, only use auto window cleaner for the best results. Meguiar’s Perfect Clarity Window Glass Cleaner has always done my windows justice, leaving them clean and clear.
Keeping your car looking brand new without paying a fortune is possible, as long as you know how to maintain your vehicle. Learn about your car specifically and learn the best ways to keep the exterior looking showroom ready.
Always remember that the more regularly you clean your vehicle, the easier it will be to upkeep. The longer that dirt, dust, mud, and anything else sits on your car, the harder it will be to remove.
At the end of the day, don’t let car professionals convince you to spend hundreds to do a job you could do yourself.
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