How to Safely Wash Your Car: A Step-by-Step Guide
The secret to maintaining your car's freshly polished paint, is regular and safe washing. Follow these steps for a perfect, scratch-free finish. Each step features our favourite products, all of which are available at www.MyCarCleaning.co.uk.
Step 1: Pre-Rinse Your Car
Before any contact, ensure you wash off as much dirt as possible to prevent any unnecessary scratching. Simply coat the whole care in an even layer of Valet-Pro PRE Wash, using a spray bottle. After a few moments, thoroughly rinse off using a pressure washer. Please note, if its a hot day, you may want to be pretty quick with this step, to make sure the PRE Wash doesn’t dry in.
Product Recommendation:
- Pre Wash: Valet-Pro Citrus PRE Wash
- Pressure Washer: Kranzle 1050 TST
Step 2: Apply Snow Foam
Snow foam is a another pre-wash treatment that clings to the surface of your car, lifting off dirt and grime. Snow foam looks awesome when applied, don’t forget to take a picture (and tag us!). Snow foam is super thick, rinsing can take a little longer than the Pre-Wash.
Product Recommendation: Autobrite Direct Magifoam Ultimate Prewash Snowfoam
Step 3: Cleaning Your Wheels
Thoroughly rinse your wheels with the pressure washer, then simply spray on the chosen wheel cleaner, scrub every part of the wheel, inside out using the correct tools listed below, including the caliper if possible, then thoroughly rinse off.
Product Recommendations:
- Wheel Cleaner: Valet-Pro Bilberry Wheel Cleaner
- Wheel Tools: Autobrite Direct Woollen Wheel Mitt & Vikan Large Bristle Wheel Brush
Step 4: Two Bucket Wash
One bucket contains the shampoo solution, while the other is used for rinsing your wash mitt to avoid reintroducing dirt onto your car's surface. Once all surfaces are washed, rinse your car thoroughly to remove all shampoo. When washing, try to be as methodical as possible, to lessen the chance of missing any patches, move in straight lines.
Product Recommendations:
- Shampoo: Gyeon Q2M Bathe Shampoo
- Bucket & Grit Guard x2: Gtechniq Detailing Bucket Kit
- Wash mitt: Gtechniq - WM2 Microfibre Wash Mitt
Step 5: Drying
Dry your car using a quality microfiber towel to prevent water spots and swirl marks. If you would like to take safety to the next level, we would highly recommend blow drying your car to get the water off without actually touching the vehicle, the less you touch the cars paint work, the better.
HOT TIP: While the vehicle is still wet, use Gyeon Q2M Wet Coat to top up the super hydrophobic coating that we applied during the detailing process. This will give you added gloss and help the drying process, this can be done every 6-8 weeks.
Product Recommendations:
- Microfiber Drying Towel: Sam's Detailing Drying Towel
- High Pressure Blow Dryer: BLO AIR S Hand Held Car Dryer
Finishing Touches
Paint/Wheels/Calipers/Door Shuts
If there are still a few marks here and there, such as water marks or finger prints, we recommend using a quick detailer to give the paintwork wipe down. You can even wipe down the full car (paintwork/wheels only) with this product, we recommend: Gyeon Q2M Ceramic Detailer
Glass
Similar to paint, if there are any marks that are left on the glass after the washing process we recommend that you give it a quick over with: Infinity Wax Spotless Glass Cleaner. If you want to take it one step further and give the glass hydrophobic coating, then we recommend: Sam's Detailing Glass Sealant.
Tyres
Once the exterior is looking beautiful and refreshed, the cherry on top has to be the tyre shine! We have tested lots of tyre shines over the years, but recently we found the best one we have ever come across! The absolute GOAT is: Autobrite Direct - Tyre Gloss Ultimate High Gloss Tyre Dressing. Our method of application is to tip it into a small pot, then brush it on with a soft 2 inch paint. brush, the finish is stunning!
Interior Cleaning
Step 1: Firstly, clear out all rubbish or personal belongings for an interruption free job. Hoover thoroughly on all fabric surfaces with the crevice tool, then all smooth/leather surfaces with a soft dusting tool. We recommend a Flex VC 21 L MC Wet & Dry Vacuum.
Step 2: Using our favourite cleaning solution Valet-Pro Advanced Interior Cleaner, a microfibre cloth and a detailing brush, work round the interior bit by bit cleaning every smooth surface, such as the door cards and dashboard.
Step 3: Take a fresh clean microfibre towel, spray a single even mist of Infinity Wax Spotless Glass Cleaner, wipe the glass evenly, then buff to perfection using a second microfibre.
By following these steps, you ensure that your car wash is safe and effective, keeping your car looking its best.
If your the type of person that prefers to watch a video, here is a great one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWmtLSQYbys
If you need further advice please feel free to contact Mitchell: 07795 225 028.
If you still feel like you need to learn more, here is a link to our favourite detailer YouTuber: AMMO NYC - Best Techniques For Washing Your Car
Book your 24-hour all-in-one detailing service today!
Call us at 07795 225 028 or request a quote online.