The Dos and Don’ts of Washing your Vehicle

Washing the exterior of your car keeps it looking nice while maintaining its resale value as well. When washing your car, what should you do to ensure that you keep it clean without ruining the finish or other parts of the car? Here are some tips that will help you keep your car clean and in good condition. Do: Wash With Soap And Water You want to wash your car with a combination of dish soap and water. While you can buy kits that add wax to the mixture, this is not necessary. Make sure that you are rinsing completely after you wash to ensure that there are no streaks left behind on the car. Don’t: Wash The Undercarriage Of The Car Washing beneath the car can create the conditions for rust to develop. A rusted out brake line, gas tank or other component to the car makes it impossible to drive safely. Additionally, there is no reason to do so on a regular basis unless you have a severe buildup of mud or grime underneath the car. Do: Wash Your Glass And Tires The windows need to be washed just as much as the rest of the car. You can wash them with soap and water whenever you feel the need to do so. If there are bird droppings or other debris on the car, they can become baked into the glass if not treated immediately. While tires don’t need to be cleaned, they will look newer and shinier if you do decide to clean them. Most auto parts stores carry tire blackening products for a few dollars. Don’t: Scrape Your Car To Get Stubborn Debris Off Never attempt to scrape baked on debris from your car. If something has been left on your car for more than a couple of days, it is most likely going to appear there permanently. Your only options are to get a new paint job or to replace that section of the car altogether. The last thing that you want to do is add scratches to the paint in addition to whatever may be caked on already. Washing your car is something you need to do anyway as part of routine car care. Make sure you are doing it the right way. Use soap and water, wax if you must, and never clean the undercarriage. Follow these guidelines and your car will look great for years to come!