At home car wash? Are there secrets? What do i use?

Question

I want to wash my car at my house cuz i want it dont right and good. What all could i use to make it look really good? Are there any secrets? Do i just use regular soap?

Answer 1

- don't use "regular soap" using soap designed for washing cars - it helps protect the wax on the car

- always rinse the car with a hose first then start washing, don't wash the car dry

- If you want to do a really good job, use two buckets. Fill one with soapy water, the other with regular water. Dip the sponge in soapy water wash a section of the car and rinse the sponge in the regular water, wring it out then dip it back into the soapy water and move on. This keeps the dirt from ending up back on your car.

- work with a small section at a time. rinse quickly - don't let soap dry on your car.

- it's best to work in the shade. Direct sunlight on a wet car isn't so great for the paint.

- It's a good idea to rinse the underside of your car with a hose ever once in a while, especially if you live in an area where it snows and they salt the roads. Road salt can promote rust.

- Dry your car with a clean cotton towel. Another useful tool is the California Water Blade. It works like a squeegee. It is made from silicone and says it creates less friction than a towl. It's also faster and leaves less streaks.

- wax the car every 6 months or when water stops beading up on it - whichever comes first

- Don't wash your wheels with the same sponge you use to wash your car. Brake dust is very abrasive and can scratch your paint. Use a dry rag to wipe down your wheels after you are done washing you car.

- People who love their car armor-all their tires.

- Windows should be done seperately with a glass cleaner instead of a soap. Wipe the inside using horizontal strokes and the outside using vertical - if you get streaks you will know which side they are on. Using newspaper to wipe/dry is more effective than a towel or paper towels. Something about the newsprint reduces streaks.

Answer 2

Never use any soap other than that designed for automotive finishes - you'll end up ruining the finish at worst and at best, you'll have streaks that won't quit! There is a certain procedure that should be followed for best results.

First, make sure the car's finish is cool to the touch (hot finish will not clean as well nor shine without streaking). Park the car in the shade or under a carport if possible.

Then, using a hose, wet the entire car body, from the top down. Next, using a soapy sponge or mitt specially designed for washing cars, start at the top and work your way down, doing one panel at a time. (Starting at the top eliminates streaking). As each panel is finished, hose it off completely and go on to the next panel.

When all of the painted panels and windows have been done, do the bumpers, and then the wheels and tires. When you're all done, dry the car with a chamois (available at auto parts stores, WalMart, etc). After the car is completely dry, then you can either vacuum the interior and use Armor All on the seats (but don't use it on the pedals or steering wheel as the stuff is slippery), and using a good window cleaner, clean the inside of all glass windows or, if you're not doing the interior, just ArmoreAll the tires, being careful not to get any overspray on the painted body you've just washed.

When the car is all clean, polished and wiped off, you can wax it if you want, but save that for another day!

Answer 3

There is car washing soap at your local supermarket or Wal-mart. Just give it a good scrub with that soap and be sure to rinse all the soap off.

Make sure you wash it in the evening or at least not in direct sun light. If you try to wash it in the heat of the day or in direct sun light it will leave water spots and the soap with dry very quickly.

Be sure to hand dry it. No matter what don't use any brushes of any kind unless you are sure that they are not going to scratch the surface of the paint. The ones at the self-serve car washes are pretty rough on paint.

Answer 4

Don't use regular soap, too harsh...buy car wash soap at a parts store, wash the car in the shade, clean off any road tar or bugs with tar remover first, flush water over the whole car next to get rid of any large dirt particles or loose grime, wash from the top down one section at a time with soapy water and rinse right away, squeegee or chamois off any water left on the car, get a damp rag and clean in all the door and trunk jambs, clean the windows and interior, clean the wheels and tires with soapy water and brush or mag wheel cleaner, spray tire shine on the tires after they're dry--don't get it on the car body or wheels, use a sponge if you have to, lubricate all the door hinges, hood and trunk latches and keyholes with WD-40 periodically, too and get some touch-up paint for your color car and touch-up any dings or scratches right away.

Answer 5

No secrets. Use cold water with a lot of soap a hot pair of short shorts and a strapless bra tightly fitted. All the guys will come running and you won't have to lift a finger. There's your secret.

Answer 6

i do mine the old fashioned way
i go to the river and beat it with a rock...

just use soft cloth and dish soap rinse the big stuff off with a hose you don't want to rub mud into the paint it will scratch it