From this article you will learn what you need to do before polishing your car, whether…
How and with what to wash the car? Hand or car wash?
(photo Moje Auto)
Washing your car is one of the basic activities that give it an elegant and beautiful look. Every vehicle owner wonders how to wash their car, but they also have their own technique for removing dirt from the body. It often depends on the time we have and the amount we want to spend on this activity. It is definitely easiest to use an automatic car wash. This service is not very expensive, time-consuming and does not require physical effort. But is it worth it?
How to wash your car – From the article you will learn:
What are the car washing techniques?
Which car cosmetics should you choose for washing your car?
How to compare products to get the desired effect?
How and with what to dry your car after washing?
Hand washing or automatic car wash – pros and cons
Unfortunately, washing your vehicle in an automatic car wash is damaging to your car's paint. Washing brushes are often neglected and dirty, and every grain of sand can be dangerous for the paint. This is a very quick method of washing the car, but to wash the car in such a short time you need to use aggressive, fast-acting agents, sharp brushes with high pressure. So what should you wash your car with? A car washed automatically has faded and scratched paint after just a few washing cycles. It is much safer to have your car washed by a manual car wash employee or to do it yourself - which is much cheaper.
Advantages of washing your car yourself
Washing your own car, apart from its low price, has another advantage. By washing your car yourself and systematically, you can check the condition of the bodywork and assess the damage caused by, for example, small stones or frost. The sooner you notice the beginnings of corrosion or paint loss, the sooner you can react by making minor repairs. Unfortunately, the time it takes to work in this case is much longer, which can be disadvantageous for you. When planning to wash your car yourself, start by choosing the right place and preparing accessories, washing utensils and washing products.
(photo: My Car)
Dry washing your car is a serious risk!
The times when we could watch drivers wash their cars in the parking lot in front of their homes are long gone. Current law does not allow this, and anyone who breaks it is liable to a fine. Fortunately, this did not lead to an increase in the number of drivers who washed their cars using the so-called "dry" method. It involves wiping dirt from the car with a soft, dry cloth. The main disadvantage of this method is the high risk of scratches on the paint. Sometimes a random grain of sand that will be dried to the bodywork is enough to cause major damage. Long, sweeping strokes with the cloth can cause the sand underneath it, which is part of the dirt, to start scratching the paint. The second disadvantage of "dry" washing is the uneven effect. It all depends on the size of the dirt. To sum up, this is definitely not a good method washing the car for people who appreciate traveling in a well-kept vehicle.
Touchless car wash?
You can also go to the car wash and use the popular washing service touchless car wash. In this case, we gain a lot of time, because such washing takes literally a few minutes. However, in this case, we also have to compromise. Water with powder has high pressure, rinsing the car with it can cause white, difficult to remove streaks to appear on the bodywork when it dries. This is sediment formed after washing. In addition, water may not rinse out dirt that is in hard-to-reach bodywork elements. So what technique will be the safest to wash the car and what products to use to achieve a satisfactory effect?
(graphic: My Car)
How to wash your car?
When washing your car yourself, you must choose the right cleaning agent. We can choose from car wash shampoo or active foam. Car shampoo is suitable for low-intensity dirt. However, it will not work when washing a truck that has returned from a long trip. Active foam has a very strong cleaning effect, which is why it is used when removing grease, asphalt deposits, tar or insects. When used correctly - in accordance with the recommendations on the label - it is very safe for the bodywork. It can also be used to wash facades, paving stones, roofs, building facades, construction and agricultural equipment.
Check, does active foam destroy paint?
(graphic: My Car)
Shampoo – with or without wax?
A streak-free car shampoo is essential because it is a product whose task is to remove typical impurities such as sand, gravel or mud. Its effectiveness depends, among other things, on correct use. The shampoo should be diluted according to the manufacturer's recommendations on the packaging. Too little of the product may result in unsatisfactory cleaning effectiveness, and too much may result in the product being deposited on the washed surface, creating streaks and streaks. Before washing, we should thoroughly rinse the car under pressure to get rid of dried mud and sand. This will allow us to avoid possible scratches of the paint with dirt particles. Then we spread the diluted product over the bodywork with a clean sponge and wash it thoroughly.
Car shampoos are divided into shampoos with and without wax - and this is what the Moje Auto brand offers. Both of them have their supporters.
Thorough car wash with wax-free shampoo
Shampoo without wax – it focuses primarily on washing, which makes it more thorough than a shampoo with wax, whose task is to wash and wax the bodywork at the same time. Biodegradable car wash shampoo without wax, as the name suggests, is primarily used to precisely remove dirt from the car body. The car will be clean, but it will not be shiny. Therefore, to achieve complete satisfaction after washing, you should additionally wax the car. Performing these two procedures will make the vehicle look younger than it actually is. However, achieving a satisfactory effect takes a lot of time.
(graphic: My Car)
Lightning fast and cheap car washing
Shampoo with wax – its advantage is saving time and money, with a slightly less satisfactory effect. After washing, we no longer need to apply wax to the washed surface to make it shiny and protect the paint. Shampoo without wax is used by people who want to achieve a very good cleaning effect, then use special waxes that make the paint shiny and protected against UV rays. Paint protected with wax is much easier to wash; care in this case is limited to rinsing off the dirt with water under pressure. This solution is more expensive, more time-consuming, but very effective.
(graphic: My Car)
Driver, dispel your doubts - how to wash your car
If a driver, before washing his car, is faced with the dilemma of which car shampoo to choose, it would be best for him to take a moment to think about what he really expects from the product. For this purpose, we have made a small comparison that will certainly help.
(graphic: My Car)
Or maybe decide to use active foam?
How to wash your car if you don't have shampoo? We can use it to wash the car active foam, but we need to buy a foam gun, which can be purchased for about PLN 100. Thanks to the use of active foam, we will avoid scratching the paint with sand particles, because it is a touchless washing process. The Moje Auto brand offers concentrated active foam. Active foam is an intensive agent containing active ingredients that penetrate dirt and remove it. During its use, a very large amount of thick foam is produced, which makes removing dirt easier. The ingredients it has work immediately. We can use it to clean every corner of the car. Using the washer skillfully allows you to reach hard-to-reach places. This is undoubtedly one of the biggest advantages, because a car whose every element is characterized by the same cleanliness and shine looks more impressive.
Active foam has many advantages
We can use active foam to wash passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles. When used correctly - the foam does not discolor or cause matting. It can be used to wash bodywork, chrome and plastic elements. The foam should be diluted with water according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and then using a foam gun or a pressure washer, we can quickly and efficiently spread it over the entire surface of the car from bottom to top. Leave the foam for a few minutes without allowing the product to dry out. After this time, it should be rinsed with water under pressure from top to bottom. It is important to remember to rinse the car thoroughly. Once this is done, it is a good idea to inspect the car, especially its hard-to-reach places. Although the foam rinses off very quickly and easily, we may inadvertently miss some place where it will remain. After rinsing, it is a good idea to briefly inspect the car and make any necessary corrections.
After washing, wipe the bodywork!
Another important element is water, which is necessary during washing. It can leave streaks and marks that look unsightly. Therefore, you should always wipe the washed surface dry. What should it look like drying the car? This can be done using microfibers for drying the bodywork, which Moje Auto has in its offer. Many drivers also use a water squeegee because it saves time and energy, but unfortunately it does not ensure accuracy. Therefore, after removing the water, you can additionally use a microfiber to wipe the water in places that the squeegee could not remove. By using this method, we will be sure that the wiping process has been carried out correctly and that we will achieve the expected effect.
(photo: My Car)
Wiping other items
When wiping the car's body, we must not forget about the windows and mirrors. This is one of the most important activities. Streaks and streaks on windows and mirrors may reduce visibility. This has a negative impact on the safety of the driver and passengers traveling with him. Therefore, the vehicle owner should make sure that there is one of the mandatory car accessories in the glove compartment or trunk microfiber for windows and mirrors. The material from which it is made guarantees the removal of all streaks, and it is also a universal product for all glass surfaces. It can also be used successfully for wiping front and rear headlights and turn signals.
(photo: My Car)
Thoroughly washing your car yourself requires a lot of time and work. However, no one will do it as thoroughly as we ourselves. This way we will prevent unnecessary scratches and dulling of the paint and we will enjoy a beautiful-looking car.
Conclusions – How to wash your car
Time and money are the two main factors that influence the choice of car washing method.
Washing your car in an automatic car wash saves time, but you should pay attention to the condition of the brushes. The more worn they are, the greater the risk of leaving small scratches on the paint.
Washing the car yourself by hand is time-consuming, but it is one of the most thorough washing methods, which will also allow the vehicle owner to check whether there is any damage to the bodywork, such as paint chips or dents.
Washing a car using the "dry" method consumes a lot of energy and is associated with the risk of scratches on the paint.
The washing method using a car washer is non-contact, which significantly minimizes the possibility of scratching the paint. However, the water and powder are fed under high pressure. Improper washing of the car may result in the appearance of white streaks on the body.
Before washing yourself, check carefully and choose the appropriate preparation.
The most popular preparations used for car washing are shampoo with or without wax and active foam.
Shampoo with wax is a 2-in-1 product. Washing takes little time and the car is additionally polished. Sometimes the effect is not as good as doing these actions separately.
Shampoo without wax, washes the car thoroughly, but it is recommended to wax it afterwards. This is a time-consuming process but provides the best results.
Washing with active foam requires a washer.
A car washed with active foam does not leave scratches on the body because it is a non-contact method.
After rinsing the foam from the car's body, it is worth examining it carefully to check whether the foam is not stuck in hard-to-reach places.
How to wash your car?
- Car shampoo
- My Auto Foam active
- Car shampoo with wax
- My Auto Virage Microfiber for drying the bodywork
- Moje Auto Virage Microfiber for windows and mirrors
