Cleaning a luxury car is way more difficult than it appears. All sorts of cars across the country are frequently subjected to the adverse effects of extreme weather. Rain, particularly heavy rain, and extreme weather conditions can all have an effect on the actual process of washing a car, even more so when it comes to luxury cars. All you need to know is the unique requirements of your car. Here’s a step-by-step foolproof guide on how to wash a luxury car more efficiently.
How to wash a luxury car: A step-by-step guide
Owning a car manufactured by Audi, Bentley, Maserati, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce is a privilege that shouldn’t be overlooked. Driving one will surely make some heads turn. But it’s only a proper show-off if you know how to maintain and pamper it. Well, it’s simple. All you need is a good ol’ car wash.
Schedule the car wash ahead
Washing a luxury car requires extreme caution — even more so if it is a hypercar or ultra-luxury vehicle worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. While washing any car should be done carefully, when washing a luxury vehicle, extra care should be taken to ensure that everything is done correctly.
We recommend that the first step in washing a luxury car is inspecting its condition. Following that, prepare by washing in a cool, shaded area away from direct sunlight. Plan to wash your car during a time of day when the weather is favorable. Even better if you have a climate-controlled garage with drainage.
Gather up the things need for the wash
For a traditional wash, you’ll need the following things in need:
- Wash mitt or microfiber cloth
- Buckets for washing and rinsing
- A window cleaning solution that is ammonia-free
- Low-strength, acid-free window and tire cleaner
- Car wash soap specifically formulated for automotive use
- A vacuum cleaner with different attachments
- Car wash upholstery
- Power washer (Optional)
- Water supply
Prep the cabin and clean it first
- Remove everything from your dash, cup holders, cubby holes, and other storage spaces where dust, filth, and grime might collect.
- Remove the mats to rinse and wash them. Scrub the tough dirt out, then let them drip dry until you’re ready to reinstall them after a thorough wash.
- Use a tiny brush to remove dust and grime from the cabin’s surfaces. Begin from the top and work your way down. Pay attention to the console and the corners.
- Vacuum up all the dirt and filth from every nook and crevice. Again, start at the top and work your way down.
- After that, wipe off the surfaces with a damp rag and apply a leather treatment solution to keep it soft. Use a non-silicone matte finish on any surface that may receive glare from outside sources.
- Spray silicone on the door seals. It will keep the rubber sills from sticking together.
- Spritz window cleaner to wipe the glass to remove dust. To finish, dry it completely with a microfiber cloth.
- After cleaning the interior, replace everything and lock the doors.
Rinse the exterior and undercarriage
Get your buckets and fill them with clean water or set up a power washer. Utilizing a bucket saves money on cleaning tools, whereas using a power washer to wash a premium automobile is more efficient. Using a power washer at full blast may damage the paint. Cleaning a luxury car with a high-pressure power washer can potentially grind dust and filth into the surface. Choose wisely.
- Rinse your car’s surface to remove as much dirt as possible.
- Thoroughly wash your car’s undercarriage, wheel wells, and skid pads.
- Finish up the rinsing process with tires and wheel rims.
Wash your luxury car thoroughly
Avoid dishwashing liquid. Many people make this error when washing a luxury car, removing the clear finish, and damaging the paint. Don’t use it.
- Apply soap to the top of your automobile first, then work your way down.
- You can use sponges or a foam blaster to do this.
- If you’re using a sponge, have three buckets, one with soap and the rest with clean water. Label buckets 1, 2, and 3. Assemble the third bucket with soap.
- Then, dunk your sponge in bucket two to clean it further. After cleaning, dip it in the soap and lather up.
- Sanitize the tires and wheel wells. These are the dirtiest and should be saved for last.
- Scrub the interior of the wheel wells first to remove any dirt and grime. Then continue on to the rims.
- Finally, cover the tires with soap and scrub out the dirt between the treads.
Rinse off any water content
- Make sure that no soap remains on the surface. Use as much water as you need to remove the soap and wash foam.
- Towel off excess moisture with microfiber. Then wring it out into buckets one and two. Re-wipe excess moisture from your luxury car’s surface once dry.
Let your car dry off properly
- Dry with a microfiber cloth. Cover as much surface as possible with the microfiber towel and lift it up.
Read: The dummies guide on how to dry your car after washing
Compound & Clay
- Buff away tree sap and other embedded contaminants from your car’s surface in overlapping sections using a clay bar lubricated with a quick-detailer.
- Proceed panel by panel, taking care that the surface does not dry out.
- Following claying, dry each section and buff to a shine if necessary.
- Additionally, you can use the compound in conjunction with a dual-action polisher to smooth out minute scratches beneath the surface. However, if you do choose to use a compound, plan to follow it up with polish and wax.
Polish (If needed)
The best polishers are dual-action. The polish’s abrading agents will smooth out your paint, giving your car a sleek, glossy appearance. Polishes, like sandpaper, come in a variety of abrasions or grades. As a result, it is prudent, to begin with, the least aggressive technique possible. If this does not resolve the issue, proceed to a higher “grit” polish and then down the line. Typically, polishing is a two- or three-step process followed by the application of sealant or wax to seal in the shine and protect the paint.
Wax or seal your car
Car wax does more than enhance your vehicle’s appearance; it also protects the paint from UV rays and helps it maintain its sheen. The two most common types of car wax are carnauba and polymer. While polymer wax is slightly more expensive than carnauba, it does not haze and does not require long periods for setting.
Now you know how to wash a luxury car properly. But how often should you do this? Read to How often should you wash your car know more.
Wondering where to find the best car wash for your car in your location? We recommend you to visit Way.com or download the Way app (available on iOS and Android). Just scan and drive away with a spotless car and no worries about how to dry it! Enjoy a safe and contactless car wash experience with Way.
Read our blogs for information on the best airport parking and hourly parking spots near you and the most affordable insurance for your car.
