How to Wash and Wax Your Car

Do you want your car to be shinny and protected?

We have detailed hundreds of cars for our customers and provided excellent results with our Wash and Wax service, so everything we mention in this article is everything that we apply ourselves in the real world.

Maintaining Your Car's Shine through a Good Wash

Keeping your car clean is important for its appearance and performance. You can achieve a great wash at home using basic tools like a hose, soap, mitts, and buckets. However, it's crucial to choose the right time and place. Avoid washing in direct sunlight or extreme heat to prevent the soap from drying too quickly. Instead, pick early mornings or late evenings. Also, make sure your hose has enough pressure for effective cleaning and can be turned off when needed to save water.

Gather Your Supplies

• Wheel cleaner

• Car wash soap

• Foam cannon

• Pressure washer or hose with nozzle

• Water source

• Drying towel

• Wheel brush

• Tire brush

• Microfiber towels

• Wash mitt

• 2 Buckets of water

• Paint sealant

• Tire dressing

• Gloves (optional)

Steps to Clean the Wheels

1. Pre-wash: Start by rinsing your wheels with a hose or pressure washer to remove loose dirt and debris. This helps to prevent scratches during the cleaning process.

2. Apply Wheel Cleaner: Spray a dedicated wheel cleaner onto each wheel, ensuring good coverage. Allow the cleaner to dwell for the recommended time specified on the product label. This helps to break down brake dust and grime.

3. Scrub with Wheel Brush: Use a wheel brush to agitate the cleaner and scrub away stubborn dirt. Pay close attention to intricate areas such as spokes, lug nuts, and the inner barrel of the wheel.

4. Clean Tires: Apply a tire cleaner to the sidewalls of the tires. Use a tire brush to scrub away dirt and grime. This step not only cleans the tires but also prepares them for the application of tire dressing later.

5. Wheel Wells: Spray an all purpose cleaner to the wheel wells and let it sit for the recommended time according to the product you are using. Use a brush to agitate to help the product break down dirt and grime.

6. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the wheels and tires thoroughly with water, ensuring all the cleaner is washed away. Make sure to rinse the wheel wells as well.

Steps to Hand-Wash Your car

1. Dilute Car Wash Soap: Mix the car wash soap with water in a bucket according to the manufacturer's instructions. Different soaps may require different dilution ratios, so be sure to check the product label.

2. Fill Foam Cannon: If you're using a foam cannon, fill its reservoir with the diluted car wash soap. Adjust the soap-to-water ratio according to your preferences and the level of foam thickness you desire.

5. Pre-rinse the Car: Use a pressure washer or hose to pre-rinse the car, removing loose dirt and debris. This helps to prevent scratching during the wash.

4. Connect Foam Cannon to Pressure Washer: If you're using a foam cannon, attach it to your pressure washer using the provided connectors. Adjust the nozzle on the foam cannon to control the spray pattern.

6. Apply Foam: Start applying the foam using the foam cannon or foam gun. Begin from the top of the car and work your way down. Ensure thorough coverage, and pay attention to areas with more dirt or grime.

7. Allow Dwell Time: Allow the foam to dwell on the car for a few minutes. This dwell time allows the soap to break down and lift dirt and contaminants from the surface.

10. Two-Bucket Hand Wash: After the dwell time, use a microfiber wash mitt or sponge to agitate and gently scrub the foam. Pay special attention to areas with stubborn dirt or grime. Follow up with a traditional two-bucket hand wash using the same diluted car wash soap and a clean wash mitt. Rinse the wash mitt in the second bucket of clean water after each panel. This step ensures that any remaining dirt on the wash mitt is removed, and it provides a thorough cleaning.

9. Rinse Thoroughly: Rinse the car thoroughly with a pressure washer or hose. Ensure that all the foam and loosened contaminants are washed away.

Rinse and Dry

Rinsing your car properly after washing is crucial to ensure that all soap and contaminants are thoroughly removed, leaving a clean and streak-free finish. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to rinse your car after washing.

1. Use a Hose or Pressure Washer: Use a hose with a gentle spray nozzle or a pressure washer to rinse the car. Ensure that the water pressure is not too high, as excessive pressure can potentially damage the paint or strip away wax or sealant.

2. Top-to-Bottom Rinsing: Start rinsing from the top of the car and work your way down. This method allows the water to naturally flow over the surface, carrying away dirt and soap as it goes.

3. Focus on Crevices: Pay extra attention to crevices, such as around door handles, side mirrors, and emblems, where soap and dirt may accumulate. Use the water stream to flush out any remaining residues.

4. Rinse Wheels and Tires: Direct the water towards the wheels and tires to ensure that any remaining wheel cleaner or brake dust is thoroughly washed away.

5. Check for Soap Residue: While rinsing, visually inspect the car for any soap residue. If you notice soap streaks or bubbles, continue rinsing until they are completely gone.

6. Use a Microfiber Drying Towel: After rinsing, use a clean and absorbent microfiber drying towel to dry the car. This helps prevent water spots and ensures a spotless finish.

Apply Paint Protection

Once the car is dry, you should always consider applying some form of paint protection. There is so many to choose from from waxes to sealants so make sure to do your research on the differences to see which would be best for the results you are looking for. Here are the general steps to applying a spray sealant:

1. Ensure a Dry Surface: Make sure the car is completely dry before applying the paint sealant. Water can interfere with the bonding process.

2. Choose an Applicator: Use a foam applicator pad or a microfiber applicator pad for applying the paint sealant. These pads are designed to evenly distribute the product.

3. Apply a Small Amount: Apply a small amount of paint sealant onto the applicator pad. You don't need a large quantity; a little goes a long way.

4. Work in Sections: Divide your car into sections (e.g., hood, roof, doors) and work on one section at a time. This ensures that you can evenly apply the sealant without it drying too quickly.

5. Apply in Circular or Straight Motions: Using the applicator pad, apply the paint sealant to the surface of the car in either circular or straight motions. Ensure even coverage over the entire section.

6. Follow Product Instructions: Follow the specific instructions provided by the paint sealant manufacturer. Some sealants may require a certain amount of curing time, while others may have specific removal instructions.

7. Buff with a Clean Microfiber Towel: After allowing the sealant to cure, use a clean and dry microfiber towel to gently buff the surface. This removes any excess sealant and enhances the shine.

8. Repeat if Necessary: Depending on the product, you may need to apply multiple layers for maximum protection. Follow the recommended curing times between each layer.