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Automobile Tips & Tricks

Clean Your Car's Exterior Finish

Keeping the car's finish and exterior accessories looking good and working well adds life to your car. It also will increase the car's value when it's time to sell it or trade it in.

A car's finish can be washed by hand or in an automatic car washing facility. Cleaning the car to improve its cosmetic appearance is called detailing.

1. Proper Placement
   Car washing should be done in a shaded area out of direct sunlight. Pull the car into the shade and allow it to cool down.
2. Rinse First
   Connect a hose to a cold water source. If possible, you should wash the car with a "soft" water. Soft water has the minerals removed. "Hard" water, which contains high amounts of minerals, will leave a film on the car's paint surface. Using a low pressure nozzle or an open hose end, rinse the entire surface of the car.
   You should try to remove as much dirt as possible by rinsing. When you find a buildup of dirt or mud, you should increase the pressure at the nozzle slightly and work on flushing it off the paint. Rinsing dirt off the paint is much better than trying to scrub it off. Hard scrubbing can cause the paint surface to be scratched.
   If the car is not very dirty, rinsing may be all that is necessary. If the car is too dirty to flush all the dirt and dust off, you will have to use a soap.
3. Washing
   The choice of soap is very important. You can use a soap specifically made for car washing or you can use a mild dishwashing soap.
   Mix a small amount of the soap and cold water in a clean bucket. Be careful not to use too much soap because it can remove wax from the car finish. Use a clean sponge or washing hand mitt to apply the soap. Dip the sponge into the soap and water then rub the dirty area of the car. Clean one area of the car at a time, then rinse the area with the hose. Do not allow the soap solution to dry on the finish before you rinse it off. Work from the top of the car down.
4. Problem Areas
   You may find stubborn materials like tree sap, dirt effluence, or road tar on the finish. If these materials are allowed to stay on the paint very long, they will damage it. And they may not wash off with soap and water. You will have to use a wax or other cleaning product, as explained in the next section.
5. Drying
   The last step in the job is to dry the water off the paint. Use a chamois or soft terry cloth towel to wipe all the water off the surface.

Notes of Caution:

• Never try to wipe dirt or dust off the surface of a dry car. Dragging the dust or dirt over the car's finish with a rag can scratch the paint surface.
• Washing the car when it is hot or when the sun is shining on it can cause damage to some types of paints.
• Do not use any strong detergents, such as laundry detergents, to wash a car because these can damage the paint surface.
• Be sure to use a clean sponge or hand mitten to wash the car. Dirt can scratch the paint as you rub.

Washing
Exterior Dressing
Interior Care
Waxing