One of the best ways to preserve your paint job and protect your car’s value includes giving your vehicle regular baths and waxes. You can apply the best car wax available, but if you make these most common car washing mistakes, you can actually damage your vehicle’s paint job. Therefore, consider these mistakes and how to avoid them.
Avoid Washing in Direct Sunlight
When you wash your vehicle in the sun, you can actually cause hard water and other stains because soap and water dry faster when the weather is hot and the sun shines down on your vehicle during its bath. Instead, wash your vehicle in the early morning or evenings to prevent quick drying soap and water that can leave stains you may find difficult to remove. You can also work with a partner to get your vehicle rinsed and dried quicker. Don’t forget to add Turtle Wax car wax to keep your paint protected from road debris and UV rays.
Not Using Separate Towels for Different Purposes
During your wash cycle, you probably initially rinse your vehicle to remove the loose debris. Your next step includes washing it with a microfiber towel and soapy water. As you complete this step, dirt, debris and other things become embedded in the towel. If you use it for future steps, you could scratch the paint or redeposit these damaging impurities back onto your vehicle.
The same is true for your water. Avoid using the same bucket for soapy water and rinsing. Also, choose new cloths and buckets for your wheels and tires.
Avoid Tunnel Car Washes
Tunnel or automatic car washes use brushes and cloths that spin and beat on your vehicle. The dirt they collect from your car as well as every other vehicle they washed sticks in these brushes and cloths. Therefore, they can scratch or dent your car.
Instead, purchase quality cleaning supplies and wash your vehicle yourself. You can also use a touch-free carwash option.
Not Using the Right Cleaning Products
You may think that because your household cleaners do a good job of removing grime from your home that they will work on your car, but they are actually too harsh and can cause significant damage to your vehicle’s paint. Therefore, purchase cleaning products made especially for auto paint. In addition, avoid abrasive sponges and brushes. Instead, invest in high-quality microfiber cloths. Search for customer reviews to find the best products.
Avoid Scraping Things Off Your Car
You probably have bug guts, tree sap and bird droppings on your vehicle, especially if you store it outside. Never scrape these items off your car. Instead, try to remove them before they dry or lay a wet microfiber cloth on them for 10 minutes before wiping them off carefully.
Not Drying or Waxing Your Car Properly
Many people pull out of the car wash without drying and waxing their vehicles, but this leaves streaks and water spots on your paint and doesn’t protect it from future debris. Instead, use a clean chamois or microfiber cloth to thoroughly dry your vehicle. Then, add wax, such as Turtle Wax Pure Shine, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Keep your vehicle’s paint looking great by avoiding these car washing mistakes.
