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Washing

 

Although something as simple as washing a car sounds straightforward, there are proper methods everyone should follow. Improper washing can lead to extensive swirls and scratches in your car's finish. First off, you must purchase the correct materials before beginning. Either a microfiber or sheep skin wash mit is a must. I personally prefer a sheepskin washmit, but a microfiber one will work fine as well. Never touch your paint with any sponges or brushes as these will cause marring. Next, a true car shampoo is necessary. Dawn will not cut it. Dish soaps like dawn have a high alkaline concentration that will dry out your trim pieces, remove any wax previously appliead, and dull your paint. I use meguiars car shampoo and would recommend it to others. For drying, pick up some waffle weave microfiber towels. Meguiar's makes good ones that can be purchased at any pep boys or autozone. Higher quality towels can be purchased from pakshak.com or exceldetail.com.

 

I start off by washing the wheels with a plain old microfiber towel and car shampoo. I do not like to use wheel acids as they can remove the finish from your wheels. Make sure your rotors are not hot prior to washing. Hitting hot rotors with cool water can cause them to warp.

 

Next, I get 2 clean buckets and fill one with soap and water and the other with just water. Hose down the entire car and then douse your wash mitt in the soapy water. Start by cleaning the higher sections of the car like the hood, roof, and upper door panels. After working a small area such as about half the hood, rinse the mitt in the bucket filled with water then resoak in the soapy water and continue washing.

 

After completing the car, use the hose to spray a steady stream of water all over the surface. THis will cause the water to streak off and will make drying easier. Upon completion, tkae out a waffle weace towel and fold into quarters. Gently work in a front to back motion to remove water. I use one towel on the intire car to get it almost completely dry then use a second to dab up any spots remaining. Never move the towel in a circular motion as this is more likely to cause swirls.                                       Example of swirls caused by improper washing

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