Washing Your Car - The First Step to Waxing

A great wax job always starts with a washing your car. If you're going to do a proper job of waxing your car, you've got to start with washing your car properly. This makes everything else afterward easier.

Waxing always starts with washing your car

Here are some basic guidelines for washing your car

1. Park in the shade - Pull behind the shadow of your house, another building or under a tree. It might look like fun to be washing your car in the bright, warm sunshine, but sunlight can heat up the car surface and allow the water and soap to dry on the paint.



2. Gather the material you'll need for washing your car - The basic equipment should include 2 four- or five-gallon buckets, 2 washing mitts, 2 microfiber towels for drying, a soft bristled brush with a long handle for large vehicles, a small hand brush for wheels, a hose with sprayer attachment, car wash soap and bug remover.

Basic equipment will do the job. Needless to say, when washing your car, it's up to you if you want to upgrade material. You can buy cheap car wash - it'll get the job done. But for a few dollars more, a better quality product ensures an easier job of washing your car and better results. High-quality car wash soap often contains special lubricants to trap dirt particles for easier rinsing and is PH balanced so it doesn't adversely affect the finish. One thing you must never use is dish soap. This is not intended for auto paint and will strip the wax off - I repeat: Never use dish soap when washing your car.

3. Dress for the occasion. Washing your car is not intended for those who don't intend to get wet. Make sure you aren't wearing anything you don't mind getting soaked. This includes shoes. If it's nice and warm out, so much the better.

4. Fill both buckets with clean, cool water. Add the recommended amount of soap to one of the buckets and mix it well. Keep your hose turned on so you can use it as needed, but please use a spray nozzle that cuts off when not in use to conserve water. If left running while washing your car, you could waste hundreds of gallons of water unnecessarily.

5. Apply bug remover if using. Allow some time for it to work its magic and loosen up any insect residue. You can also use a clay bar after you're done washing your car as this is also effective for bug removal.

6. Rinse the car with clean, cool water. Don't spray too hard - gentle is better. You want to always start at the top of your vehicle to loosen any dirt and debris. The bottom of any auto is the dirtiest. You don't want to blow this stuff upward, so always go top to bottom when rinsing. Keep your vehicle wet during the whole car wash even if you haven't soaped it yet. This aids in the cleaning process.

7. Apply the soap. Using a clean car wash mitt, generously apply the soap to the top of your auto. Again, it's always top to bottom when washing your car. If you have a tall vehicle, use the long-handled soft bristle brush in place of the mitt for the top of your vehicle. Once you've thoroughly soaped the section, rinse your mitt or brush in the bucket of clean water to remove any dirt or grit and put it aside into the soapy bucket. It is super important to rinse your mitt or brush often to minimize the potential of scratches when washing your car.

8. Rinse the soap off.  Use a generous amount of water. Remember to keep the surfaces wet throughout the process of washing your car.

9. Repeat process for each section. Just remember to keep cleaning top to bottom.

Do tires last when washing your car

10. Wheels and tires. It's a really good idea to keep a separate mitt for the wheels and only use this one each time you're washing your car. The wheels and tires are often the dirtiest, grittiest part, so you'll want to do these last. A good scrub brush can help loosen some of the grime around the hubcaps and rim. Be sure to take your hose and spray up and around the wheel well to get some of the dirt out. 

11. Dry your car. Take one of your microfiber cloths and dry the vehicle from top to bottom. It is important to be thorough, especially if you are waxing your car afterward. Applying wax to a wet surface causes streaking. Be sure to check that trim isn't holding water behind it as it may drip or be wicked onto the surface as you wax or before you are ready to remove it. You may want to tear off the stiff tag that might be on you microfiber towel. You want to minimize the possibility of scratching whenever you can when washing your car and drying it. 

Now that you're done washing your car, how about a nice wax?

Next: How to Wax a Car