When the weather turns nice, it’s difficult to resist the urge to go outside. For many, that means taking a long drive or even a road trip.
You open the garage and take a look at your car, as you prepare to hit the road, and you wonder what happened to that shiny car you once had. If the winter months have left your car lacking the appeal it once had, don’t worry.
With just a little effort, you can get it shining like new again. Below is the best way to clean your car exterior step-by-step, with easy tips you can follow at home.
Step 1: Get Out of the Sun
Move your car out of direct sunlight while you wash. This will help prevent the water from drying and leaving spots on your car. On really warm days, this may even cause the soapy water to evaporate, leaving behind a residue that dulls the shine you’re after.
Also, the sunlight can cause streaking when you clean the windows, but we’ll get to that later. Washing in the shade is one of the simplest ways to make cleaning your car exterior easier and more effective.
Step 2: Pick the Right Soap
Speaking of soap, don’t use the liquid soap from inside your house. They have ingredients that may be harmful to the finish of your car.
Instead, get a specially formulated soap for cleaning car exteriors from your local auto parts store. These car washing formulas will make your car look even better, and won’t compromise the clear coat that protects your paint.
Step 3: Use the Best Cloth
Use a microfiber cloth instead of a sponge or an old t-shirt to clean your car exterior. The other materials may not pick up everything you’re trying to remove from the vehicle surface as you wash. Worse yet, the abrasive materials could harm your car’s exterior.
As you clean your car exterior, dry it with a microfiber cloth. This will avoid any water spots appearing on your clean car.
Step 4: Don’t Forget the Hidden Spots
Professionals know that the best way to clean car exterior areas includes spots most people overlook. This includes door jambs, hinges, and under the hood or trunk edges.
These collect dirt and pollen that can drip down after you wash. When cleaning car exteriors, wipe these areas carefully with a damp microfiber cloth.
Step 5:. Properly Clean Your Windows
When it comes to cleaning car exteriors, like glass, let’s be clear: not all glass cleaners are created equal.
While it may be tempting to just grab a bottle of glass cleaner from inside the house, you’re better off using a window cleaner that is developed for auto glass. These products are usually devoid of chemicals that may harm the UV coating that is on your car’s windows.
If you must use a glass cleaner from inside the house, utilize the ammonia-free variety. These types are generally safe to use for cleaning car exteriors.
Step 6: Restore and Shine the Trim
Don’t neglect the dark trim areas while cleaning car exteriors. If the trim areas used to be a nice, deep black but have faded to a grungy gray, don’t despair. They can be restored.
Return those pieces to glory and shine them up with a restoration polish.
Step 7: Shine the Headlights
Nothing betrays the age of a car as fast as clouded and discolored headlights. There are a lot of reasons why headlights yellow and fog up.
The biggest one is oxidation of the acrylic material. This will happen naturally, but it can be prevented with care. Be sure to wash the headlamp areas with auto soap and a microfiber towel to remove any build-up of chemicals and dust, or dirt.
Once that is done, apply a coat of polish while you clean your car's exterior to help protect it from the sun. Doing so will prevent the premature aging of the headlamp and keep your visibility optimal at night.
Step 8: Wax On
It is true that your car has a protective clear coat on its paint. It’s also true that your car is exposed to harsh sunlight, rain, and road debris. If you live somewhere that experiences snow where roads are treated for ice, your car desperately needs your help to protect it.
With that kind of regular assault, one thin layer of defense is simply not enough to protect your car’s paint. Waxing is one of the best ways to clean car exterior surfaces because it adds another barrier of defense. It can also restore the original shine of your paint’s finish.
You need to wax your car at least twice a year if you live in an area with harsh climate changes.
Step 9: Treat Your Treads
Use a tire shine, but save it for last to add that finishing touch while cleaning car exterior surfaces. Be sure not to overspray onto your freshly cleaned car, though. The silicone base will be visible and may ruin all your hard car-cleaning work.
5 Tips For Enjoying the Best Results
Even small adjustments in your wash routine can make a big difference in how your car looks afterward. Keep these quick tips in mind to get a professional-quality shine every time you clean your car's exterior.
- Use Car-Specific Products: Always use soaps and cleaners designed for vehicles.
- Work in Sections: Cleaning smaller areas at a time helps prevent soap from drying before you rinse.
- Use Microfiber: These are gentler on paint and more effective at drying.
- Wash in the Shade: Keeps soap and water from drying too fast.
- Detail Regularly: Wax and protect your car a few times per year for lasting shine.
Following the above steps and tips is the best way to clean your car's exterior and extend its lifespan. With regular care, a little time, and the right products, you’ll protect your paint, maintain that shine, and enjoy every drive even more.
Now that the outside of your car looks showroom-ready, it’s time to make the interior match. Here are 8 Quick Tips for Cleaning Your Car Interior.
Now taking care of your car’s looks is just the start of keeping it road-ready. Here at CarShield, we help drivers protect their vehicles from unexpected repair costs with customizable protection plans. Get a free quote by contacting us today.
