Exterior

Manual car washing

Regular washing of a car’s exterior helps prevent the buildup of dirt, salt, sap, and other contaminants that can damage the vehicle’s surface. Prolonged exposure to these elements can cause corrosion, discoloration, and other serious damage. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, a clean car also retains its market value for a longer time. Owners who decide to wash their cars by hand often encounter challenges such as improper washing techniques or incorrect steps, which can lead to paint damage or unsatisfactory results.

Preparation - Key to a Successful Car Wash

Before starting the wash, it’s important to prepare properly. Choosing the right location is the first step—always avoid washing in direct sunlight, as high temperatures can accelerate water evaporation, resulting in water spots. It's also crucial that the car, wheels, and engine are not hot, to prevent cleaning products from baking onto the surface. Ensure the car is parked on a flat surface, away from dust and dirt that could contaminate the clean surface during washing.

Prepare all the necessary tools and products:
• Two buckets with a grid guard (one for soap, the other for rinsing) filled with lukewarm water
• Microfiber washing mitt—it's also good to use multiple mitts, one for each section of the car, instead of using the two-bucket method
• Special car shampoo
• Detail brush
• Tire brush
• Microfiber towels for drying
• Wheel cleaner

Washing Tires and Wheels - The First Step in Car Washing

Tires and wheels are the dirtiest parts of the car, so it’s important to wash them first to avoid getting dirt from them onto the already cleaned surfaces.
1. Apply wheel cleaner and let it sit as per the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Use a brush to thoroughly clean the wheels, paying special attention to the edges and inner parts.
3. Rinse thoroughly with water.

Washing the Car Body

Once the wheels are done, move on to the car body. It’s essential to use the right shampoo and washing techniques to avoid damaging the paint.
• Applying active foam: Apply the active foam and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, depending on the instructions. Then rinse the car.
• Removing stubborn stains - insects, sap, and birds: Stubborn stains like insect remains, sap, or bird droppings require special attention. First, try soaking the stains with lukewarm water. If that doesn’t work, use specialized products to remove these contaminants, but always test the product on a small, less visible part of the car first.
• Hand washing - applying car shampoo: Read the shampoo instructions and mix it with water according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Using too concentrated a shampoo can be harmful.
• Microfiber mitt: This is the best tool for washing the car body as it reduces the chance of scratches. Rinse the mitt regularly in clean water after each section to remove dirt and run it through the grid guard in the bucket to keep dirt at the bottom. It’s advisable to have separate mitts for the upper and lower parts of the car—the lower parts like the doors and bumpers are the dirtiest.
• Detail brush: Used for washing areas the mitt couldn’t reach—around the windows, door handles, emblems, etc.

Always start washing from the upper parts of the car and work your way down relatively quickly to prevent the car from drying—without pressing, a quality car shampoo will do its job. This order allows the shampoo to work gravitationally on the lower parts of the vehicle, making rinsing easier. Use linear movements (never circular) to avoid creating swirls—small circular scratches that appear on the paint.

Rinsing and Drying - Ensuring a Spotless Shine

After washing each part of the car, rinse it immediately with clean water to avoid water spots from dried shampoo. Drying the car is as important as washing it. Use microfiber towels that gently absorb water without leaving streaks. Don’t let the car air-dry, as this will leave water spots from scale.