HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-22, Page 16Cleaning a car is a piece of cake,
right? Though the initial response
might be a resounding yes, there's
more to a clean car than some soap
and water. In fact, as the Car Care
Council notes, cleaning a car is a far
more intricate process than one might
think.
The first step in cleaning the car is
to wash it. Give it a good rinsing from
top to bottom, including the wheels
and inside the fenders. Always clean
the tires and wheels before washing
the body, and don’t use the same mitt
for both. This way you’ll avoid
contaminating the vehicle’s paint
with debris from the wheels and tires.
Use a good tire cleaner with a stiff
brush to improve your tires’
appearance, even if you don’t have
white sidewalls or white letter tires.
Next, clean the wheels with a wheel
cleaner that removes the brake dust,
which often blackens the front
wheels. Application of these cleaners
varies, so be sure to follow the
directions on the container.
Now it’s time to wash the body.
Use a product sold specifically for
automobiles, as household cleaners
can strip the wax from the paint and
damage the finish. Starting at the top,
wash one section at a time,
thoroughly rinsing away the soap.
Work your way down toward the
front, sides and rear of the vehicle.
Clean the rear last since it usually has
the largest accumulation of dirt and
grime, which can contaminate the
wash mitt. Wash the inside door jams
about once a month.
To rinse, remove the spray nozzle
from the hose. Starting at the top, let
the water cascade down the surfaces
of the vehicle. Then, to avoid water
spotting, dry with a chamois or other
product made for this purpose.
Now is an excellent time for
waxing, which not only protects the
finish but also makes subsequent
washing easier. Before proceeding,
look for foreign particles on the paint.
Use a car cleaner, available at auto
supply stores, to remove
contaminants imbedded in the paint.
Once the surface is clean, apply the
wax by following the manufacturer’s
instructions for application of the
product.
Typically, manufacturers suggest
not applying wax in sunlight.
While keeping your vehicle clean
doesn’t require a lot of effort, says the
Council, it does foster a feeling of
pride and accomplishment.
For more information on a variety
of vehicle-related topics, visit the
Car Care Council website at
www.carcare.org.
PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009.
How to give car a total cleaning
Fresh look
When cleaning a car, it’s important to focus on the tires as well as the body. (MS photo)
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