3 Tips to Clean, Wash and Detail Your Car

Giving your car a proper wash does more than improve its appearance: you remove seasonal residue, like salt from the winter and dust from dry summers. Plus, if you haven’t removed dirt like bird poop, which can corrode your car’s exterior, now’s the perfect time to do that. 

Rinse your car from top to bottom, including the undercarriage, with a high-pressure washer or a garden hose fitted with a fire hose nozzle. This will eliminate much of the dirt and debris that can eventually damage your car’s paint. Look for paint chips and rust spots you can treat right away. 

Spotting damage early to your car’s exterior will save you money down the road. 

Wash your car with a quality automotive shampoo (not dish detergent), a wash mitt or brush, and two buckets (one with soap, one to rinse), you can focus on removing anything your thorough rinse didn’t. 

Using a circular motion with your mitt or brush, begin at the roof and work your way down over the pillars, hood, hatch, doors, and bumpers. Scrub the wheels and tires with a stiff brush. Always rinse your mitt or brush in the clean water bucket before getting more soap from the soapy bucket. 

Don’t allow the car to dry. Otherwise, a foggy layer of soap will remain. So spray it down as needed. 

After wiping down your vehicle, rinse it thoroughly from top to bottom. 

Check local by-laws—washing your vehicle in the driveway might not be allowed. Try a self-serve wash station instead. Consider delaying exterior cleaning in extreme heat or cold. Excessive heat dries water rapidly, while extreme cold freezes it, risking damage to hard to dry areas. 

Once the body is clean and damp, you have two options to protect it. If the clear coat is in good shape, a spray wax is a quick and easy way to boost shine and protect your vehicle’s exterior from road grime. 

If the finish appears dull, use a polishing compound to revive the surface or a clay bar to decontaminate the paint before waxing. 

It’s easy to get lost in detailing your vehicle’s interior. (We know the feeling!) But often, you just don’t have the time for a full detail. When time’s tight, focus on these steps. 

• Grab a garbage can. Clear your vehicle now, tossing out anything that won’t fit back in. 
• Clean floor mats with a vinegar-water solution to eliminate dirt and dissolve winter salt. Use towels to dry. 
• Thoroughly vacuum the interior. A thin nozzle will help between seats and cushions. 
• Finish your floors with a carpet cleaner. 
• Wipe surfaces down to remove dust and dirt. Fabric and leather surfaces will benefit from dedicated products. 
• Leave the windows open so everything dries and airs out. 
• Return the items you removed at the beginning, and hit the road! 

You might only have half an hour to clean your vehicle. Grab it! Even a quick rinse and dry beats nothing, especially in winter when road salt and sand cling to your vehicle. Transform that half hour into a refresh for your space if kids or pets leave it dirty! 

Whether you have thirty minutes or two hours, these essential tips can help you maintain and protect your vehicle. 

For more information, or to select detailing products best suited for your vehicle, visit your local NAPA Auto Parts store. Our friendly experts will be happy to help!