by David W. Bynon
Copyright (c), 2003, Autopia Car Care -- All Rights Reserved
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Washing and Drying |
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"Detergents can dull your car's finish..."
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If there is a single maintenance that offers the biggest benefit to your car's appearance, it's keeping your car
clean through regular washing. Washing is the process of removing loose dirt and road film on the top of your
car's paint surfaces. That means more than just a good hosing. You have to scrub it with shampoo and a sponge or
wash mitt.
Washing can be a double-edge sword, though, as even the mildest soaps can remove the protection from your car's
paint, causing oxidation (paint starvation). Detergents can dull your car's finish even faster. For many years,
BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari and many other fine automobile makers recommended using only pure water to
wash your car.
The high-quality car wash shampoos made today are very gentle on paint, plastic and rubber. A good car wash
shampoo provides lubrication to prevent scratching and conditioners to maintain the shine. Be sure to select
a quality product that's not counterproductive to your detailing efforts.
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As well as a good shampoo, it takes a variety of tools to correctly wash a car. I like using brushes
to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as between body panels. I also like using brushes on lower body
panels, where road grease and tar collects. Make sure your brushes are paint safe, such as this brush
from OXO.
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WASH & DRY TOOLS
A towel is a towel, right? Unfortunately, this is not correct. If you grew up in a house like mine, Mom
retired the old bath towels to the garage for car and dog duty. What Mom didn't realize is that most bath
towels use a backing material that is a polyester and cotton blend. The edges of the towel are stitched
with polyester thread, too. Polyester, pound for pound, is stronger than steel. This is great for
long-lasting bath towels, but it’s not so good for your car’s paint. Polyester scratches. Use only 100%
cotton towels. They won’t last as long, but they are safe.
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Recommended Towels
Waffle Weave Drying Towels - Thick, plush, gentle drying towels.
Microfiber - Detailing towels in a variety of weaves for specific detailing tasks.
100% Cotton Terry Cloth - Gneral purpose detailing towels.
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Your choice of wash tools is important, too. You should find a wash tool that is comfortable for you to
use, but take a few things into consideration. First, your wash tool should hold a lot of soapy water.
The more it holds, the more soapy water you can get on your car. This is important for lubrication. The
lubrication created by soapy water is what prevents dirt from scratching the paint. Also look for a wash
tool that cleans easily. If it does not release dirt and grit easily, it’s not safe. I like wash tools
with a lot of fibers, like a lamb's wool mitt or a cotton chenille covered sponge. Natural sea sponge and
a good wash brush are also good choices.
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Recommended Wash Tools
Cotton Chenille Wash Sponge - It's easy to grip.
Sheepskin Wash Mitts - Very gentle; holds tons of soapy water.
Microfiber Wash Mitt - Modern technology, very safe.
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For drying, a combination of tools may be necessary. For centuries, the sheepskin chamois has been used as
a towel for drying. This naturally soft leather (when wet) is very absorbent and safe. All-natural chamois
are still a great choice, as are a growing number of synthetic chamois.
Chamois have one shortcoming, as they do not get into cracks and crevices very well. For this you will need
an absorbent towel.
If you like to dry in a hurry, there are paint safe squeegees available that will quickly remove 80% of the
water from your car with just a few strokes. Follow up with a good towel and you’re done.
My favorite combination is the Water Blade and a Miracle Towel (microfiber towel). The Water Blade is very
fast, and the Miracle Towel dries all surfaces quickly and without streaks or lint.
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Recommended Drying Tools
Waffle Weave Drying Towel - Dry your car with a single towel... FAST!
Leather Chamois - Durable, safe and effective drying.
Water Blade - Soft, flexible squeegee removes water fast.
Synthetic Chamois - Easier to use than leather chamois.
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WASHING TIPS
Here are some tips to make washing easier:
1. Wash the tires and wheels first. If you wash the car body first, the water will dry and spot your car
before you can finish washing the tires and wheels. Do not use the same wash water on your car's paint as
you do your tires and wheels. Throw it out and refill your bucket.
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On well maintained wheels, I use a strong car wash solution to clean the tires and wheels. I have
a variety of brushes and sponges in my bucket to get into all of the nooks and crannies. If the
wheels have caked on brake dust I use a few shots of my favorite wheel cleaner. Once a month or so,
I like to use a tire & rubber cleaner to deep clean the tires, removing all of the tire dressing.
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2. Make sure your car is cool. If possible, work in the shade. A hot surface causes the wash and rinse
water to evaporate too quickly, increasing the likelihood of water spotting. One trick is to park on a
slight incline. This allows rinse water to run off moldings, trim, and recessed areas better. Start by
thoroughly wetting the car's finish with a medium spray of water to remove loose grit and surface dirt.
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Here I'm breaking my number one rule -- I'm washing a car in the sun. If you have to work in the
sun, work fast and keep the car wet by rinsing often. This is morning sunlight and the temperature
is below 72 degrees. If it was much warmer I would not be washing the Boxster in the sun. You be
the judge.
The wash tool I'm using is an old wool wash mitt. I've had it for years and it does a great job.
Notice that I have parked the car on a slight incline. This helps to drain the water from cracks
and crevices. It also makes rinsing faster.
TIP: Follow the shampoo manufacturer's directions for the proper mix ratio. Using too much
shampoo is wasteful and may leave an oily or soapy residue on the surface.
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3. Use a car wash shampoo specifically formulated for automotive use. Look for a shampoo containing surface
conditioners and natural oils. These oils act as a lubricant, allowing sand and abrasive grit to slide off
in the rinse water without scratching the surface. Quality car shampoos cost a little more but are worth
every penny if you own a dark-colored car (dark cars show every little scratch).
4. I prefer a chenille wash pad, or sheepskin wash mitt for washing. These tools have a large number of fine
filaments that draw dirt and grime away from the surface being cleaned into their internal structure.
Synthetic (flat sided) sponges and wash cloths can trap dirt, grit, and grime on the surface, which can
scratch your car's paint. If you use a natural sea sponge, use the outer "soft" side for washing, not the
harder "cut" side, and always rinse new sponges thoroughly to remove any remaining sand or shell particles.
100% cotton chenille wash mitts and pads are also excellent as they hold lots of soapy water and are gentle
to your paint.
5. Start washing from the top down and rinse the car often. Frequent rinsing is especially important if you
are using a wash containing natural oils. While these oils cushion the paint and minimize abrasion they are
heavier than water and can leave a film if allowed to sit on the car. I use a final rinse of free-flowing
water (nozzle off the hose) allowing the water to sheet off the car.
6. For stubborn problems on your paint, and for many other surfaces, I recommend a citrus-based spot treatment
cleaner. P21S Total Auto Wash is a good example. It is the strongest citrus-based cleaner you can safely use
on your car. Use it full-strength or dilute with water. Used at full-strength, P21S Total Auto Wash will
remove your wax, but it won't harm your paint (as harsh detergents can).
7. To gently remove dried-on bugs and tar spots, use an insect remover with an insect scrub sponge.
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If the car has bugs on the grill and bumper area, I pre-treat the bug spots with Porsche Insect
Remover or P21 Total Auto Wash. The Porsche product comes with a special cleaning sponge to help
safely remove stubborn bug remains.
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DRYING TIPS
Before drying, your car should be freshly rinsed and free of visible dirt, grease and oil. Here's how:
1. Using a clean waffle weave drying towel or chamois, start at the top of the car and work down, drawing the
towel or chamois across the surface in a straight line. If using a natural chamois, use the "rough" side to
dry the car.
2. Repeat wiping until the surface is mostly dry then finish drying with a dry microfiber towel or hand size
waffle weave towel to remove any remaining droplets or streaks.
3. Use a terry detailing towel to dry your tires and wheels. Do not use your chamois or good microfiber
towels on the tires and wheels, as it will become soiled.
4. Open the doors and use your microfiber or waffle weave hand towel to dry the door sills and jambs. Wipe
under the door and along the door edge, as well.
5. Open the trunk and hood and wipe down the jams and seals. On the engine, use your damp towel to remove
dust and light oil from the top of the engine and engine compartment surfaces. While the hood is open and
you have a towel, check your oil. After working in the engine compartment, put the dirty towel in the wash
and don't use it on your car again until you wash it.
If you hate drying, as I do, an alternate way to dry your car is with a special squeegee called a Water Blade.
The Water Blade thoroughly removes water in a fraction of the time it takes with a chamois. The Water Blade's
edge is very soft, and it actually applies less friction than a terrycloth towel. I use a Water Blade on my
windows and large flat surfaces follow by a waffle weave towel. It's very fast and easy.
AFTER DRYING
Regardless of how gentle your car shampoo is, or when you last waxed your car, driving and washing deplete
the wax or sealant protection you've applied to your car. For this reason, I like to use a Quick Detailing
spray on my car after washing. A good detailing spray renews the "just waxed" shine and extends the life of
your wax or sealant.
SUMMARY
Regular washing is very important to maintaining your car's appearance. Most people forget some of the simple,
quick steps that can keep a new car looking new. Take just a few extra minutes when you wash to wipe down the
engine, door jams and trunk. Keeping these areas clean prevents a bigger cleanup job later. To make your job
easier and more enjoyable, invest in a few good detailing tools. Quality wash and dry tools make a huge
difference.
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