With all the delicious food you are probably planning to enjoy this holiday period, you might also be thinking of ways to burn some holiday calories. If you turn to washing your car as a means of using up some energy, remember these tips before pulling on those rubber gloves!
Maintaining a new-car finish is easily achieved by frequent washing, just remember, that the way you clean, is as important as the products that you use.
#1 How To Choose A Car Cleaning Product & Application
Use a dedicated carwash product that is milder and specifically designed for use on automotive paint.
Before applying the soap, rinse all surfaces thoroughly with water to remove loose dirt and debris that could cause scratching.
Apply the soap suds with a large, soft natural sponge or a lamb’s-wool mitt.
For more stubborn deposits like grease and road tar, you may need a slightly stronger product but still, ensure you are using a non-abrasive cloth.
Wash one section at a time and wash and rinse each section before moving on to the next.
Bonus Tip – Remember to work the solution into a lather to provide plenty of lubrication.
#2 Wheels & Tyres
Use a separate sponge to clean the wheels and tyres.
Take care to use the right cleaner and to be on the safe side, choose a cleaner that is labelled as safe for use on all wheels.
Don’t use any wax or shine products on your tyres. Many products claim to add shine to tyres and prevent them from cracking, but in reality modern tyres have antioxidants and waxes in the tyre to protect them from the environment. Simple soap and water is really all you need for tyres.
Bonus tip – Premium-priced car wax brands do not necessarily hold up any better than lower-priced alternatives. In fact, some moderately priced liquids have scored better in independent tests.
#3 Avoid Scratches & Fading
Don’t use household cleaning agents like hand soap, dishwashing detergent, or glass cleaner on the paint. These are not formulated for use on a car and may strip off the protective wax.
Protect the paint and save water, by using a bucket to rinse off the soap.
Another water-saving car care tip is to treat your car to a seasonal waxing, which helps to protect it from the elements and give it a ‘like-new’ shine.
Don’t use an abrasive towel or other material that can leave hairline scratches in the paint.
Wax on, wax off! Don’t rotate your sponge like Daniel-son, but rather move the sponge lengthwise across the bonnet and other body panels of the car and ensure your sponge is perfectly clean to avoid scratching the paintwork. And, remember to use a different sponge to clean your wheels.
Bonus tip – Premium-priced car wax brands do not necessarily hold up any better than lower-priced alternatives. In fact, some moderately priced liquids have scored better in independent tests.
What are your top tips for caring for your car’s paintwork? Tag us using #officialSAMBRA to share your Top Tips for washing your pride-and-joy with the SAMBRA community on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook.
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