This is probably the easiest, yet most frequent maintenance that people do their cars. Unfortunately, many people also do it wrong. There are a few techniques/tips that I would like to share with others. This is how I wash my car, and is only my opinion. First, start with a rinse of cool water to remove all the loose dirt. Next, use a soap/detergent specifically for automotive use. If you wash your car with dishwashing detergent, the oils in your paint will be removed and your paint will dry up and flake off! My preferred method is to use a sponge to apply the soap. To minimize "spider-webs" in the paint, move the sponge in straight lines. Start at the top of the car. Wash, then immediately rinse, one section of your car at at time.
Start with the windows, then dry the car surfaces parallel to the ground (they get the most sunlight), and finally the sides of the car. Use a synthetic chamois (shammy) to absorb most of the water. Next, use a few 100% cotton towels (that have not been dried with a fabric softener) to catch the rest of the water that remains. Try to do this as quickly as possible, to avoid water spots. Drying your car in the shade gives you more time to dry without water spots forming.
Waxing your car is critical to maintain the paint in good condition, and to make your car, a reflection of yourself, look sharp. I use pure carnauba wax on a monthly basis. Waxes with cleaners or polishes in them remove a fine layer of your paint/clearcoat. This brings a layer of "fresh" paint to the surface, but you only have a limited number of layers of paint before you hit primer. I only use a cleaner/polish once a year. If your car is parked outside, you may want to use a cleaner/polish twice a year. The technique for waxing is similar to washing. Apply the wax with the provided applicator or a 100% cotton towel. Make sure that the applicator is dry. If the applicator is not dry, then water may be trapped between your paint and the layer of wax. This is not good. Wax in straight lines, as this again reduces "spider-webs" in your paint. Apply the wax to one section of the car at a time, then buff it off with more clean, dry, cotton towels. If you want to apply multiple coats of wax, apply one coat in direction of the long-axis of the car, a second one in the short-axis of the car (perpendicular the first), and the third coat on a 45 degree diagonal. If you have the patience to do this, you will be rewarded with terrific results.
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