Spring is here, and you know what that means! Muddy roads and muddy cars.
Washing your vehicle regularly is essential to keep it in top condition and keep rust at bay. Neglecting to wash your vehicle could mean lowering its overall value.
If you’re new to vehicle ownership, we recommend following these 4 tips to make the most out of your car wash.
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1. Use the Right Suds
Some people’s opinion is that car cleaning products are overpriced and overrated. That couldn’t be more wrong, and it’s led to some of the WORST advice ever to circulate: Use dish soap to wash your car.
Dish soap is meant to cut through food grease and oil, which might sound appealing, but it’s way too tough to use on your vehicle. The grease-fighting abilities of dish soap are the perfect storm for stripping away wax and dulling the finish on your car.
Now, don’t get us wrong, we know the car cleaning product aisle can be a little overwhelming. But, if you stick to a basic car wash soap, you’ll be just fine on wash day. Once you get the hang of regular soap, you can start playing with different waxes and rinses.
A professional car wash will have everything you need on hand, without the many brand names. Not sure what cleaning product is meant for what? Car wash attendees should be experts on all the products they carry.
2. Top to Bottom
This is an important trick that many of us don’t put into action: Wash your vehicle from top to bottom.
You might be tempted to tackle any obvious problem areas first, like muddy wheels or a bug-splattered windshield. But trust us, starting at the bottom is pointless. Anything you rinse at the top of your vehicle WILL carry down to the bottom, so save yourself some effort and leave the wheels to the end.
3. Rinse. Lather. Rinse.
Just like your hair, you should give your car a rinse before lathering it up with shampoo. However, the reasons are quite different. Your car is covered in rough debris that could easily scrape up your vehicle if moved around with a cloth.
Giving your car a quick rinse—top to bottom—will remove a lot of that excess debris before you give your car a thorough shampoo.
Tip: Drop a cloth or sponge on the ground mid-wash? LEAVE IT. Once it’s contacted the ground, it’s likely full of gravel that can scratch up your car’s paint job. Grab a fresh rag for the rest of your car wash.
4. Use a Self-Serve Wand Wash
The best place to wash your car isn’t your driveway: It’s a professional self-serve wand wash. Here’s why:
- Car washes actually use LESS water than you would at home, saving you money in the long run.
- A good self-serve wand wash will have EVERYTHING you need: The right chemicals, the right brushes, the right rinses… you get the drift.
- The best clean there is. Wands assist you to get those hard-to-reach spots, especially under your vehicle.
Now, don’t get us wrong, touchless car washes have a major advantage. You can sit back and relax while the machines do their work. Just be aware that your car isn’t going to get the same level of cleanliness as a wand wash.
Hughes has self-service bays AND touchless car washes in your area! Find your Hughes location today.