Avoid these mistakes that can damage your car paint
Why is it not wise to wash the wheels of a car last, when you are in a wash bay? Which soaps should you avoid for car washing? Most car wash owners know, but many drivers don’t. American automotive site Motor Biscuit recently made a handy list of common mistakes made in the car wash.
Yes we know, there are still people who wash their cars with dishwasher soap and one brush. Or use toothpaste as a cheap polisher substitute. Please don’t. It often damages your car and the reductions are not worth it.
Here’s seven car wash mistakes that are easy to avoid, according to Motor Biscuit.
Mistake 1: Leaving wax on the car for too long
Don’t leave the wax on your car for too long. And make sure you read the instructions on the wax container. Some brands acquire a few minutes of work to do their magic, others should be taken off as quickly as possible. Don’t make the mistake to wax your whole car and then wipe it down. Instead, work panel by panel. Here’s what Hagerty had to say about it.
Mistake 2: Using too many cleaning products on your car
Keep to one or two trusted brands and products, while cleaning your car. Don’t overdo it with the wax and make sure you properly dilute a concentrated product (like window cleaner or engine degreaser). When you overdo it, you may end up doing more harm than good.
Mistake 3: Wash the wheels last
Most car detailers and experienced washers will tell you to work from the top of the car down. That means starting with the roof and then doing the wheels last. However, some specialists like Hagerty argue that starting with the wheels first is more clever. You might spray the brake dust and dirt onto the car’s paint surface in the process. If you clean the car’s body first, cleaning the wheels after may cause it to get dirty again.
Mistake 4: neglecting bird droppings and splattered bugs
Sure, bird droppings and bug splatters may be a pain to wipe off occasionally. But trust us, it’s worth doing so. Insect remains produce enzymes, and bird droppings are acidic. Over time, these nasty carcasses and droppings can ruin your car’s paint, so it’s best to wash them off as soon as possible.
Mistake 5: Using one towel to do it all
Make sure to use multiple towels to dry your car and clean the wheels. If you use one towel to do it all, the dirt that it collects will scratch the car’s surface. It’s best to buy different color towels for the car’s body, wheels, and interior. In that way, you can use them accordingly and don’t get them mixed up.
Mistake 6: Washing your car with dish soap
Dish soap is made for dishes because it contains chemicals that break down and remove grease. This means that, when you apply this type of soap to your car’s paint, it will strip any wax or paint sealant and eventually cause it to dull. Use car wash soap instead. It’s formulated to protect the car’s clearcoat and paint. Best of all, it’s inexpensive.
Mistake 7: Using Cillit Bang to clean your car’s interior
Aggressive cleaners like Cillit Bang or Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean are great for cleaning dirt and grime from your bathroom surfaces, but the melamine foam that it’s made from is not for car interiors. The abrasive material can strip away the oils from the interior plastics and leather seats. Don’t use them for car washing.
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