Expert Tips How to Clean Wax and Detail Cars
Expert Tips How to Clean Wax and Detail Cars
Cleaning and waxing are the most basic maintenance tasks for a car owner. But doing it right—without hazy paint, dull headlights and crud in the cracks—takes expertise. Make the finish on the exterior and interior last as long as the mechanicals with these pro cleaning tips.
1. Scrub Down
That slimy patina of French fries, Big Gulp, sweat and dirt will eventually turn your interior into a primordial swamp. Shampoo the cloth seats to remove all that gunk. Now, forget what you think you know. There’s nothing under your kitchen sink that’s appropriate for washing or cleaning your car, except maybe the glass cleaner. Leave the dish detergent for the dishes, and use a proper car-washing solution. Clean the window glass last to catch all the oversprayed cleaning products.
2. Use caution for Leather Seats
Leather seats deserve a proper leather cleaner, followed by leather conditioner to replenish the skin’s natural oils. Save the protectant for the dashboard. I strongly recommend against using protectant on the steering wheel and rubber pedals, because it can reduce your grip to dangerous levels.
3. Wax
The gold standard in wax used to be hard-to-apply paste carnauba wax. You know: Wax on, wax off. Modern chemistry has reduced wax to nano-size particles, added synthetics and generally made wax easy to apply and remove. We also like quick detailers for everyday use. Follow up a quick wash and dry with a light spray of detailer and wipe down with a microfiber towel for months of protection from the environment. Final step: Clean up any water spots on the windows inside and out.
4. Exterior Care
Hazed-out plastic headlights are not only ugly, they’re dangerous. Use a Mothers PowerBall and plastic polish to make our old lights look new. Mask the area to keep from polishing off the surrounding paint. Wet down the wheel and tire, then spray or brush on the wheel cleaner. Use a soft brush to get in where the brake dust hides, then hose down. Lather, rinse, repeat–and then dry the water spots off with a clean towel. Follow up with car wax.
5. Tips for using paint
Hazed-out paint will usually recover if you use a good chemical-cleaner wax. If your car has clear-coat paint–most cars made since the ’90s do–look for a product labeled “clear-coat safe.” Abrasive compounds are great for non-clear-coat paints on older cars.
Expert Tips Expert Tips How to Clean Wax and Detail Cars
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