Washing your car yourself – It can be done!

October 25, 2022

Everything from grease, oil, and weather conditions to dust, filth, and mud can affect your car’s exterior. Even a brand-new car might look dull and worn out due to dust, dirt, birds and bugs. If neglected for too long, the debris may harm the paint, giving you permanent dull patches. Giving your car a bath regularly is the best way to combat the elements!

We can all agree that Aussie car owners are well and truly attached to their cars, regardless of how old their car is, most Aussies view it as their pride and joy. Owners who love their cars go above and beyond to keep them in top condition both mechanically and cosmetically. While many choose to have their cars professionally washed or cleaned, others would rather avoid this ongoing expense by doing it themselves. Check out our guide to DIY car washing

Before getting into the actual cleaning process, make sure you are prepared!

• Park in the shade – The hot sun will make the water evaporate faster, leaving soap streaks across your nice clean paintwork and windows.

• Set your supplies up – Save time by ensuring you have everything you need close at hand. Grab your bucket, car wash, sponge and don;t forget your chamois.

• Close car windows – This one sounds obvious, but it’s an easy one to forget; cleaning chemicals and detergents can make a real mess of the inside!

• Retract your antennas – It is easy to bend or break them when cleaning the exteriors if you are not paying attention.

• Windshield wipers, up and away – This leaves the entire glass areas on the front and back open to be cleaned easily. You will be surprised at the grease and dirt build up on them.

Now to start cleaning

Do you think that anyone can wash a car? Probably, but can they wash a car effectively? The car’s exterior will be the first thing to grab other people’s attention even before they glimpse the interiors. Here are a few tips for effective car washing.

1. The two-bucket method – One bucket for the soapy water and another for rinsing

Never rinse your car with the same water that you use to wash it. You’ll get it all soapy again and maybe even scrape the car’s surface with the dirty water. A clean rinse bucket, or a hose if you can(and there are no water restrictions) will guarantee that no soap or other residues are left.

2. Headlights – Use toothpaste

To keep your headlights shining, use regular toothpaste. This is a fantastic technique to maintain bright headlights! Using toothpaste and a microfibre cloth, headlights can be cleaned by applying the paste and rubbing it in circular motions until it disappears.

3. Cleaning tyres and rims

Your car’s wheels accumulate a lot of brake dust, tar, and road grime and are challenging to maintain. Use cleaning powder and water on your rims to keep them shining. Make a paste and rub it all over your rims. Rinse off with water to have rims that will be the envy of all who see them. Coating your tyres with tyre black will give it that fresh, from the dealer look!

4. Do it in parts

Never wash and rinse in one go, doing all the various parts of the car at a time. The correct technique is to pick one portion of the car at a time, properly wash and rinse it, and then move on to the next section.

5. Get a microfibre drying towel or chamois.

A microfibre towel absorbs more water and grime than ordinary towels or sponges. Additionally, they leave a better finish with minimal streaks.

6. Use a grit guard

This small device fits in the bottom of your buckets and prevents grit and debris from circling and clinging to your wash pad or sponge. After running the microfibre cloth or brush over the car, wipe it on the grit guard to catch the dirt, and grime and remove it, leaving you with a clean cloth to continue washing.

7. Car wash liquid

How do you know which car washing liquid to choose when such a wide selection is available today? Always seek out liquids that are as near to pH neutral as possible. This minimises the hard water spots that can sometimes remain on your paintwork. Choose a liquid that bubbles up to help remove the dirt and grime.

Now your car is sparkling again, follow our tips below to keep it clean for longer-

Consider where you park

Consider where you leave your car during the day and at night. Parking in your garage is always better if you have one. If you d need to leave it on your driveway, or on the street, try to park away from trees. This will help keep bats and birds from decorating it with their corrosive droppings

Even though it’s more challenging during the day, always try to park your car under cover. This will prevent it from being subjected to the sun’s harmful rays, which can cause the paint to fade.

Avoid parking it below electricity lines, or other objects that birds like to perch on if you can’t park it under cover. Your paint can be damaged by possum pee, bird droppings, and tree sap!

Remove deposits immediately

When something has been deposited on top of your car, time is important. Clean it off as quickly as possible; never wait till the next day! If you don’t, you might later find that it’s much more difficult to remove; you might need to scrape it and run the danger of scratching the paint. If you wait too long, your paint can become permanently discoloured. If you can, rinse it off with water; if not, use a light detergent and lots of running water to remove it.

Here’s to a spotless car!

Washing your car, especially with family, can be a lot of fun! If you do it regularly, your car won’t be too difficult to clean, and you get to save money. So why not make it a family activity, and strengthen your relationship with the kids?

Kids will enjoy playing in the water on a hot day and creating a big splash outside. Better yet, pay them pocket money to ash it… Win in! And you, you will kill two birds with one stone. Your children will be occupied for a few hours, and your car will receive a free, spotless shine!