The plan is always to keep your brand new vehicle looking brand new but it isn’t always that easy…or is it?! Caring for your paint job on your car is one of the best ways to keep your vehicle looking great all year round and help it keep that brand new vehicle look. Regularly washing and cleaning your vehicle, followed by drying, polishing, and waxing is a great way to add a protective coating over your vehicle’s paint to provide extra protection to the exterior.

Knowing when and at what point of the year each cleaning task should happen is important. It is also important to know that waxing too often can dull the finish of your vehicle due to excess wax. So try to keep track of when you waxed your vehicle previously so you don’t overdo it!

Part 1: Wash Your Vehicle

• Washing your vehicle regularly keeps dirt, debris, and gritty residue that can accumulate over time on your exterior.
• Start washing your vehicle from the top (the roof) down.  Use a soft-bristled brush, in small, circular motions, to remove more stubborn stains and grease. Use a microfiber cloth to clean less dirty areas.
• DO NOT USE REGULAR DISH SOAP.
• These substances are designed to remove grease and oil, and they can damage your car’s finish, not to mention strip away the vehicle’s protective wax coating.
• It is important to rinse your vehicle as you go to prevent the soap and water from drying on your vehicle.
• Try not to take too long while washing your car so that the water does not dry, leaving behind mineral deposits in the form of water spots.

Part 2: Drying Your Car

• Dry your vehicle by hand. Start drying as soon as your done with the basic wash. This keeps water from drying and leaving spots.
• Use a microfiber towel to absorb the water.
• DO NOT DRAG THE TOWEL ACROSS THE CAR.
• Debris and dirt can be trapped under the towel and potentially scratch the paint.
• Drying your car to remove the majority of the moisture, allow it to air dry completely before proceeding to the detailing phase.

Part 3: Detail Your Car

• Most often, basic washing does not remove smaller particles and substances that might stick to or are worked into the paint job itself.
• Items you may need include Compound, Clay bars, Glaze, and Polish.
• Before using any detailing method, make sure you understand how to use it properly.
• USE A MICROFIBER MITT OR TOWEL.
• Don’t forget to clean and shine your tires, which are one of the most overlooked areas of a vehicle. When doing so, clean, wash, and polish one tire at a time to prevent the cleaner from drying on the tires in patches.

Step 4: Wax Your Car

• After washing, drying, and detailing the outside of your vehicle, seal it with wax. You only need to wax your car about every three months, so this process is not required every time you wash your car.
• When using a buffer, be careful because overuse could lead to paint removal
• Apply wax – using a microfiber towel, or a clean buffing pad using the car buffer
• Allow the wax to set – Proceed with applying the wax a section at a time, allowing the wax to set before removal. Check the wax container for directions on use and recommended wax set times.
• Buff the wax in – Take a microfiber cloth and use circular motions with the buffer to rub in the wax. Repeat this process until you have waxed the entire surface of the vehicle

Keeping your vehicle’s paint job cleaned, detailed, and waxed maintains its shiny look for the year. This is a great way to help prevent the buildup of oxidation, which leads to your vehicle rusting. If you find that your vehicle does rust over time I suggest you seek help from a professional body shop like our paint and dent repair specialists at Carriage Traders Auto Repair!