Who said a spring clean was only for the house? Now spring has sprung, it’s time to embrace the warmer weather, roll your sleeves up, and wash the winter off and clean your car. In this blog, we will look at how car washing should be done in the spring months, leaving you with a vehicle you can be proud to have on display!
The first thing we recommend is to check your wheels. Start by soaking your alloys with a gentle wheel cleaner to dissolve any surface debris, brake dust, and mud. This will remove the worst of the surface dirt and allow you to see the condition of your alloys.
If you have any curb damage, we recommend you get it repaired to avoid corrosion. Whilst corrosion won’t impact your car’s performance, it will impact both the overall aesthetic and value of your car and lead to a more expensive repair job later down the line.
This is where DWV’s alloy wheel experts come in. We will come directly to you to fix any damage at a time that suits you, helping to get you back on the road that very same day!
Once all the surface dirt has been removed, grab yourself a bucket of water and some mild car shampoo. Using a brush, start with the inside of your alloys and work your way out to the front.
The long winter months can be rough on your car’s paintwork. By using a pre-wash solution, you can remove layers of salt and grime from your bodywork. If you don’t have a pre-wash solution, don’t worry, as a hose pipe will be enough to help remove loose dirt.
Whether you are using a pre-wash or not, we advise you to work from the top down to ensure no grime is left on your car.
Now, it’s time for a contact wash. To ensure a swirl-free wash, you must be using two buckets for this step. One bucket should contain a good quality car shampoo, and the other one should feature plain, fresh water.
Never substitute car shampoo with household cleaning products, for example washing up liquid. The chemicals used to cut through the grease can eat into the clear topcoat of your car over time and start to fade your paintwork.
Starting with the less dirty areas (roof, bonnet, and windscreen), dip your mitt into the fresh water, then into your car shampoo and work into each panel. Again, start from the top and work your way down.
If you accidentally drop your mitt on the floor, make sure you get a new one or ensure you rinse it thoroughly under the hose. Any loose stones or gravel from the floor can lead to visible scratches on the paintwork.
Speaking of scratches, whilst you’re washing your car, please be mindful of any stone chips, scuffs, or scratches you come across on your bodywork. If these are left untreated, they could start to rust and may result in a costly repair.
Any stone chips or scuffs, scratches, and dents can be taken care of easily by a qualified SMART repair expert. Here at DWV, we pride ourselves on our ability to repair paintwork and match any paint colour seamlessly using state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
Once you’ve completed your contact wash, it’s time to move onto the final rinse. If you are using a pressure washer to rinse, make sure to not stand too close! Take a couple of steps back, as even the smallest chip can be opened under high pressure, and it could cause your paint to begin flaking away.
To prevent water marks and spots, it is important that you dry your car after washing. Using a specialist drying towel, start with the bodywork, then open your doors and boot to remove any excess water. When you’re finished, you can then move onto your wheels.
Take your time with this step and make sure you have dried each panel properly; fresh water isn’t as pure as rainwater, which is why it can leave marks and not give the ideal finish for your vehicle.
You’re almost done, but before you finish, we recommend using a smear-free glass cleaner to buff your glass and mirrors and give it that final detailing.
You could also apply some wax to help protect your paintwork. Besides helping to seal in the shine, wax also adds a layer of protection to your paint to protect it from UV damage, fine scratches, and minor wear and tear such as stone chips.
And that is how you can carry out your own car wash at home!
With over 30 years of experience in providing vehicle repairs, we specialise in mobile SMART bodywork, paint, and alloy wheel repairs and come directly to you. We have over 80 fully employed specialist repair technicians and 50 franchise partners based across the country, repairing more than 170,000 cars each year, and we are a trusted partner to some of the biggest motor dealerships.
Using state-of-the-art technology such as UV fillers and primers and premium Sikkens paint, we pride ourselves on our ability to match any paint colour perfectly, making sure your repair blends seamlessly into the rest of your vehicle.
Unlike traditional body shops where repairs can be costly, and take days to complete, SMART repairs can be done on your doorstep in under two hours. That means we will get you back on the road that same day! You only have to look at our 4.8 Trustpilot rating to be assured that your car is in safe hands with the nationwide DWV team.
For your free quote, click here and one of our trusted technicians will be in touch with you.
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