It may still be our winter rainy season here in the Seattle area, but it’s important to remember the harm some of our unusual winter weather can cause. After a snowstorm the line at the car wash to wipe away all of the dirt and grime can be quite long. With the right products, tools, and tips, washing your car at home can be more beneficial for your vehicle and your budget. Plus, it can be fun when the weather is nice to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. It’s never too soon to start gathering your supplies for your next home car washing adventure. Read on our previous blog some preliminary tips and this part 2 is a good follow up.

At A1 Auto Body in Lynnwood, WA we are passionate about taking the best care of vehicles possible to keep them looking and working great for many years to come. Here are some of the top car wash tips from our Auto Body Shop technicians to try at home:

Organize & Prep Your Tools: Microfiber isn’t just good for drying. Did you know there are also microfiber scrubbers? Some are in the shape of gloves and are a great tool that will be gentle on your car. Also another tool is two buckets so you can safely do the double bucket method, to rinse and and soap scrub, making sure any particles missed by the rinse come off onto your scrubber and fall into the first rinse bucket before soap up again to scrub.

Buy a set of brushes: Part of the toolkit of a detailer is an assortment of brushes. On the outside of the car you use a minimum of 2 brushes. One brush to get into the holes in your wheels and one to clean the wheel wells, the engine bay, and rubber on the tires. Inside you want a scrubbing brush for the carpet and a toothbrush for the cracks and crevices around the door handles and dash displays.

Apply wax and/or sealant: Washing and waxing a car seems straightforward. Unfortunately it is possible to severely scratch the clear coat finish by washing it the wrong way, but you can do damage while waxing as well. Here’s a few tips to do it well. Start with a clean car. Work in the shade or garage. Never wax a car in the sunlight. Apply evenly and be careful to avoid letting the wax seep into jambs, cracks, along moldings. Also be careful to not get wax on any plastic parts: moldings, mirrors, trim. Also it is best to begin with a layer of sealant and follow up with a couple coats of wax.

 

If any of these tips in this or our previous blog have you feeling like washing your own car is more hassle than it is worth, seek out professional car care. A modern automatic car wash does a great job of getting most of the contaminants off of your car. Make sure to choose a touchless one so it doesn’t rub particles on your paint. It is also necessary to wash under your car, which is close to impossible at home. You can also reach out to a professional detailer and include the interior as well as the exterior.

A1 Auto Body can help you inspect, repair, and restore the condition of your car’s exterior. We are an Auto Body Shop that specializes in collision repair, car paint and car polishing as well as general restoration services. Schedule a free estimate today!