When people ask "How to wash a car", besides answering the obvious question, what they should also be asking is how to protect the value and beauty of their cars paint, past the simple task of simply washing their car.
Washing a car to remove superficial dirt is simply just a starting point of regular car paint care. Dirt and sun are a cars biggest enemies and washing your car is the best way to remove accumulated surface dirt. But what most people don't realize is that there is another form of dirt that accumulates on your car's paint that traditional washing and waxing will not remove.
Fall-out, which is simply a fancy name for pollution, embeds into your cars paint that not only degrades the overall shine and beauty of the paint, but also creates that unwanted gritty texture feel. When done correctly, your paint should feel like waxed glass. The good news is that this process of proper car paint care is actually basic and straight forward with only a couple products required. - Detailing Clay
- Car wax or sealant
Detailing clay is the only way these embedded surface pollutants can be removed from car paint. These firm, palm sized Play-doh like products are used by rubbing on your car's paint to remove embedded pollutants. A good way to buy these products are in what is called clay bar kits. They contain everything to prepare your cars paint to receive protection in the form of a wax or sealant.
Car wax serves (2) distinct purposes: - Protection
- Visual enhancement
Think of car wax like you would sun screen for your skin. Car wax creates an invisible layer of protection against the harmful effects of sun and weather. It also creates a uniformed reflective surface that creates shine and depth. There are (2) basic car wax types regarding ingredients and depending on your objectives, will determine the type you choose: - Natural carnauba based wax
- Synthetic sealants
To simplify the choice for you, if you are looking for what I call the winning combination of benefits, most people will want to shop for a quality carnauba paste wax. This will provide maximum visual results, and a decent amount of protection.
If are looking to wax and protect your car as little as possible, then a synthetic liquid polymer sealant will be what to shop for. These synthetics offer the ultimate in durability in protection. Most major car care manufacturers have their own versions of this polymer technology. Your requirements of car paint care will be as follows: - Wash car weekly with a quality car wash soap, sheepskin wash mitt, and a synthetic chamois for drying.
- Use clay bar to remove embedded contaminates. This will be ongoing and will be required every 2-6 months.
- Wax every 2-4 months with a paste, or every 6-9 months with synthetic sealant.
Following these simple steps will maintain the value and beauty of your cars paint for as long as you are interested in your car!
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