Car Washing Tips
Few things are more satisfying than a meticulously clean car. At LeSueur Car Company, we want to help you get a squeaky clean vehicle, so follow these tips the next time you wash your car!
Read the Label
Before applying any soap or cleaning agent to your vehicle, read the label. Not all automotive cleaning products are all-purpose, and some could even damage the paint of your vehicle.
The Three-Bucket System
The last thing you want to do is wash your car with dirty water; that’s where the three-bucket cleaning system comes into play. You have one bucket filled with clean soapy water and another bucket with just water. The water bucket is designed for rinsing your rag before dunking it back into the soapy bucket. The third bucket should be used for wheels and tires exclusively, as these are often especially dirty.
Washing Tips
Before you even start washing the outside of your car, rinse it with water first to remove larger pieces of dirt. Once this is done, add soapy water to the exterior and gently rub in with a microfiber rag. Ensure the soap you are using is designed for car washing. Liquid detergents and dish cleaners can strip away the wax and damage your car’s paint. Rinse one more time to remove soap from your car.
Prepare Your Car’s Surface
After you rinse the surface of your car, run your hand over the paint to check for any dings or scratches. To remove these tougher blemishes, use a clay bar, which can remove these spots along with any wax previously applied to the vehicle.
Scratches are bit tougher to remove, and the process will require the use of a compound and may take several applications. Deeper scratches may also need a paint touchup.
Polishing
Once you have washed your vehicle and fixed any blemishes, you can polish your vehicle to give the paint a mirror-like finish. This step is optional and can be applied by hand or with a dual-action polisher.
Wax Your Car
Car wax acts as a protectant, adding an extra layer of protection to the paint from UV rays to prevent sun damage.
Buy polymer wax, which is easier to apply by yourself than other waxes.
Wash Your Windows
Window cleaners such as Windex contain ammonia that can damage a car’s window tint. Instead, use a window cleaner made for car windows.
Wash Your Wheels
Once the windows are washed, move on to your wheels. It’s important to make sure the cleaning product you use is designed for your type of wheel. If you’re unsure about what kind of wheels you have, use the least potent wheel cleaner.
Why Choose LeSueur Car Company
If you're looking to enhance your car's look even further, or need an Auto Repair Shop that you can trust, LeSueur Car Company has you covered! Our Auto Body & Paint Shop offers everything from custom paint and body jobs to original restoration. Click here to schedule an appointment!
