Showroom shine is like the golden snitch in the Harry Potter series (full disclosure: fan of the books). It’s elusive, and even if you do catch it, it tends to slip away from your hands too fast! Similarly, many car owners visit different car washes to maintain or get back the showroom shine, and only some are successful.
What if you could get that magical shine at your home? Yes, it’s possible. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about washing your car at home in this post. Keep reading to know more.
Gather Your Equipment
Washing your car at home is never an easy task. You need to have the right equipment and be familiar with car wash techniques. Make sure all the equipment you need is near you and is placed where you can reach it. Here’s a list of equipment you need for a perfect car wash. Remember, this is not an exhaustive list:
- Two buckets
- Water hose
- Long brush (for tires)
- Wash mitts
- Car washing liquid/ automotive soap
- Microfiber towels
- Clay bar
- Car wax
Pre-wash Your Car
Begin your car cleaning process by pre-washing your vehicle. If you immediately try to rub the dirt off the dry car, you can scratch its paint. Use a foam cannon or water to give your car a pre-wash. A thorough pre-wash will help remove the light dirt stuck to the car’s body and loosen up the tough dirt, making your cleaning process much easier.
Start from Your Wheels
Wheels and tires are often the dirtiest part of the car, and always wash them first. The possibility of splashing dirt from the wheels onto the car’s body is pretty high if you clean them last. That’s why we recommend beginning the self-car wash process from your wheels. Use a high-pressure washer or spray nozzle on your hose to remove loose dirt, mud, and debris.
Next, apply the tire cleaner – don’t use the regular car wash cleaner – scrub the tires thoroughly using a brush. After you are done with the tires, apply the car wash shampoo or soap and scrub to remove dirt stuck on the wheels. Finally, water is used to rinse the wheels and tires and dry them using a microfiber towel.
Clean Your Car’s Exterior
The two-bucket method:
To clean your car’s exterior, use two buckets of water. Fill one bucket with car wash soap solution, and the other bucket to collect the dirty water, and rinse your mitt. We’d recommend you split the car into different sections in your mind and work on one at a time to avoid water spots. First, dip the mitt into the bucket containing the soap solution, and clean your car using the soap-filled mitt.
Once you’re done cleaning a particular section or notice the mitt getting dirty, dunk it in the second bucket to rinse or wring it out. Also, begin cleaning your car from the top and work your way downwards.
Waterless car wash method:
The waterless car wash method is a great option for people living in places with an acute water shortage, or if you want to get your car cleaned with the minimum usage of water. Here are the steps for a perfect waterless car wash:
- Pre-wash your car to remove any deeply embedded dirt.
- Next, mentally divide the car into different sections. This can make your washing process simple and hassle-free.
- Now spray the waterless car wash product onto the section and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
- Using a microfiber towel, wipe gently in only one direction. Remember not to push too much pressure while you’re wiping and not to go in circles.
- Change the microfiber towel if you notice too much dirt on it.
- Repeat the same process on all the sections of the car.
- Remember to use different microfiber towels for each section to avoid contamination.
The waterless car wash method is recommended for cars with light dirt. If your car is loaded with heavy dust and dirt, we suggest using a manual car wash or visiting an automatic car wash near you.
Rinse-less car wash:
The rinse-less car wash is considered the combo of both the hand car wash and the water-less car wash method. Owners can simply wipe off the wash solution after applying it instead of rinsing the vehicle again. If you’re looking for a quick, eco-friendly, and scratch-free car wash experience, then a rinse-less car wash is your best bet. Here are the steps you need to follow in a rinse-less car wash:
- If you see noticeable dirt stuck on your car’s body, pre-wash your car with water to loosen it.
- Now, use the two-bucket method to clean your car. However, instead of filling a bucket with a car wash solution, fill it with a rinse-less solution.
- Also, fill a spray bottle with the rinse-less car wash solution.
- After pre-washing your vehicle, spray the rinse-less car wash solution onto the section you’re planning to clean. We recommend you follow the same method of dividing the car during the cleaning process.
- Next, dunk your wash mitt into the rinse-less car wash solution bucket and clean the section.
- When you’re satisfied, use another microfiber towel to dry the panel. You can repeat these steps to clean all the panels.
Drying Your Car
Use microfiber towels:
Do you still use squeegees, old clothes, and rags to wipe the water off your car after cleaning it? Firstly, the items mentioned above cannot remove the water effectively from your vehicle’s body, which can cause water spots on your car. Secondly, these items can cause hundreds of micro-scratches on your car’s paint and can damage your vehicle’s clear coat over time! All car wash experts recommend drying your car using microfiber towels.
Microfiber towels are non-abrasive and can absorb large amounts of water. Using them, you can remove excess water from your car without causing any damage.
Use a blower:
Sometimes microfiber towels cannot reach the nooks and crannies of a car – this is where a blower can come in handy. You can use a leaf blower or a car blower to get the job done to perfection. Also, this is one of the safest methods to dry your car since no equipment comes in contact with your car. The chances of scratches being caused are none.
Use a Clay Bar
Car detailing experts recommend a clay bar treatment after washing and drying your car to make it look glossy. We recommend buying the clay bar kit in any detailing store if you’ve never tried the clay bar treatment. The kit will contain clay bars, microfiber towels, and detailer spray or lubricants. Here are the steps you need to follow in a clay bar treatment:
- After washing and drying your vehicle, spray the lubricant or detailer spray onto a small section of the vehicle.
- Cut the clay bar into 3 to 4 pieces. Use one piece and gently glide it on the section of the car where you have sprayed the lubricant. Remember to glide the clay bar back and forth, not in a circular motion.
- You can now repeat this process on other sections of the vehicle.
- Check the state of the clay. If you notice dirt on it, switch to a fresh side or use a new one.
- After you’ve clayed a section, wipe it with a microfiber towel. If you find any residual clay, remove it using the lubricant.
Wax Your Car
Perfect car waxing can give your car a noticeable showroom shine. The process is difficult and needs to be performed with utmost care. What’s more, car waxing not only makes your car look shiny but can also serve as a protective layer for your vehicle’s clear coat. If you find it difficult, you can always visit an auto detailing center near you.
- After you’ve completed car washing, drying, and clay bar treatment, move to the waxing process. This is to ensure that no contaminants remain on your car’s exterior while you’re waxing it.
- Remember, the waxing process differs depending on the wax type and brand you use. Before you begin, read the instructions in the product description or the ‘how to use’ section.
- Now split your vehicle into multiple sections and work on one section at a time.
- Next, apply the wax to the foam applicator and start waxing.
- Use small amounts of the product while applying it. Also, gently apply the wax in a circular motion onto the section you’re working on, without exerting too much force.
- Use a microfiber towel to buff and remove the wax before it dries out.
- If you’re using a spray wax, spray the product onto the section.
- Next, rub in the wax using a microfiber towel. Buff it up.
- Keep repeating the process till you notice a shine and you’re happy with the results.
Top tip: Never pour the liquid wax and polish directly onto the surface of the car. It can cause uneven dark streaks on your car’s finish and damage its color.
How to Wash Your Car – Do’s and Don’Ts
Do’s
- Wash your car once a week to maintain it properly.
- Always follow a Z-pattern or move in a straight line while you’re cleaning or drying your car. By following a circular motion, you can cause swirl marks on your car’s body.
- For a hassle-free car wash, pick the right hose. Choose a hose that lets you move around the car without any trouble. You can also use a nozzle with multiple spray settings to control the water speed and pressure.
- Before washing your vehicle, remember to roll up your windows, bend the retractable antennas, and pull your windshield wipers.
Dont’s
- Using a sponge to clean your car is never a great idea. Sponges—even new ones—are abrasive and can cause micro-scratches on your car’s paint. Dirt can get trapped in the sponge’s pores and, when rubbed on the car, damage the paint. We recommend you use a car-specific wash mitt or microfiber towels to clean your vehicle.
- Don’t wash or detail your vehicle on a sunny day. The hot weather can speed up the cleaning and drying process and cause water spots. Remember to wash your vehicle on a cool day or under shade.
- Remember not to wash your car under a tree or near a dusty road. It defeats the whole purpose!
- Some owners tend to park their vehicle under the sun to dry it after a wash—we absolutely don’t recommend this. Dry your car using microfiber towels as soon as you’re done washing it.
- After the washing process, if you notice a missed spot, don’t try to wipe it with a dry towel. Doing so can cause scratches. Instead, wash and dry the missed spot.
- Avoid over-waxing. Extra waxing will not give your car an added shine. Just two coats of wax – one for the foundation and another as a backup – can make your car look shiny.
How to book a car wash easily
We know washing your car at home can sometimes get complicated and time-consuming. You can use websites and apps like Way.com to find the top-rated and affordable automatic car washes near you. The car wash booking process on the Way.com app is very simple:
- Open the app and type in your location.
- Select from the list of car washes.
- Pay and confirm your booking.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
