Who doesn’t want their car to look nice, clean, and shiny? To make their car look the best, most car owners either take their car for a car wash or clean it themselves. But both these ways have their downfalls. While conveyor-driven car washes do more damage to the car than good (thanks to their dirty and abrasive scrubbing bristles and agitator pads), making it far from ideal for car cleaning, car owners also tend to commit several mistakes during the cleaning process.
If you do not want to inflict glass or coat damage on your most prized possession, we have some information to share. Here are the most common car cleaning mistakes most car owners make that you must avoid. Take a look.
Mistake #1: Using the wrong car cleaners
You might be tempted to use dishwashing soap or degreaser when washing your car at home, but it is a strict “no-no”. Saving money on professional car cleaning solutions might not be very helpful because if you use the wrong cleaners (dish soap, laundry soap, etc.), you damage the topmost coating of your car and lose more money on the repair.
Dish soap and its likes do not have the right pH to clean a car without disturbing its paint. Their abrasive nature tends to strip off the protective coating on your car.
It is always good to use cleaning products designed for cars. These products clean your car without damaging the glass or paint. Consider investing in a good car shampoo vacuum. It might seem like a big investment now, but it will help you save your car and money in the long run.
Mistake #2: Cleaning the car in direct sun
A bright sunny day might seem like a wonderful time to get out and pamper your car, but the reality is otherwise. Keeping the car wet throughout the cleaning process under the sun might be a tad bit difficult. The water and cleaning products will dry out quickly, leaving unsightly streaks and marks on the surface.
If you can’t resist the urge to clean your car on a hot day, do it under shade. Or clean your car early in the morning or after the sun sets.
Mistake #3: Not cleaning from top to bottom
The thumb rule for cleaning a car is cleaning from top to bottom or more precisely, wheels first and then from top to bottom.
Wheels are undoubtedly the dirtiest part of the car and hence, should be cleaned first. Moreover, the dirt and debris hugging the rim are abrasive. Saving wheels for last means letting the dirt and debris on the freshly cleaned surface of your car. Hence, start with the wheels first. Use a microfiber cloth and wheel cleaners for the purpose. Steer clear from using the same cloth to clean the body of your car. Also, do not use paper towels on the rim, as they can scratch the clear coat that protects it.
Jump to the top after cleaning the four tires, and then move to the bottom parts.
Mistake #4: Using the wrong towels for cleaning
You might not realize it, but the type of towel you use for cleaning your car also affects the paint of your car. Bath towels, paper towels, rags, and even your old t-shirt can abrade the top coat. Hence, always clean your car with microfiber towels.
The bottom line
Cleaning your car yourself is good, but when you do so, do it the right way. Keep an eye out for these common mistakes you might make while cleaning your car, and avoid them at all costs.
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