June 30, 2022 4 min read

Summers are for camping trips, fishing and waterparks. All these activities though can make any car dirty. Take time to deep clean your vehicle this summer with our list of do’s and dont’s.

Do's:

Always wash the wheels before rinsing the car, any sitting water can dry and leave water spots
Always wash the wheels with a separate bucket
 Do wash the car in the shade if possible
Allow the paint to cool before washing
Allow foam to soak into paint for 1-3 min before rinsing and then washing
After final rinse, dry car immediately so water doesn’t stain the surface

 

Dont's:

Don't rinse car and walk away for any reason
Don't spray wheel cleaner on anodized wheels
Don't spray wheel cleaner on plastic panels
Don't clean the whole car without cleaning off the wash mitt multiple times. One panel per side of mitt, rinse, repeat
Don't use a pressure washer too close to surface of car as it can cause damage
Don't use paint wash mitt on wheels, get separate buckets and brushes
Don't drop the wash mitt on the ground and reuse. It is out of commission until it is thoroughly washed
Don't rub the surface hard with a drying rag. Pull the rag over the surface
 Don't let water dry on surface

Following this guideline will make washing your car easier and quicker. You’ll be done with plenty of time to plan your next weekend getaway.


Tire Washing

Your wheels should be the first thing you clean before moving onto the rest of your vehicle. Hose down your tires and then spray with a wheel and tire cleaner. Once the solution has sat for a couple of minutes, wash and rinse your tires.

We recommend using Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus. This product is 30% stronger than any other wheel cleaner, making it the most advanced in the market.

Sonax Wheel Cleaner Plus

When it comes to washing your tires, it’s recommended to use separate buckets for clean and dirty water. For an even better clean, Grit Guard Bucket Inserts will help keep the dirt at the bottom of the bucket and off your wash pad.

Pro Tip:Rub the wash pad along the grit guard during each dunk for more suds.

 

Do's:
 Always wash the wheels before rinsing the car, any sitting water can dry and leave water spots
 Always wash the wheels with a separate bucket

Dont's:
 Don't spray wheel cleaner on anodized wheels
 Don't spray wheel cleaner on plastic panels

 

Overall Exterior Washing

Your car should be washed in the shade if possible, in order to avoid water spots. For best results, complete the wash process at one time – do not take a break until the entire car is completed.

For your car wash, we recommend Gtechniq GWash, which produces a high foam content,  breaking the bond between the dirt film and your vehicle’s paintwork, lubricating dirt particles and minimizing surface abrasion. Used in conjunction with Gtechniq coatings, GWash will ensure maximum gloss retention through reduced micro scratching during the wash process.

Gtechniq Gwash

For your wash pad, we recommend using the CYCLONE 10x Wash Pad. This is the best quality wash pad you will find, made with 70/30 Blend Split Korean Microfibers. Its huge 10"x10" size is a first in the market for this kind of microfiber wash pad.

Don’t clean your whole car without washing the CYCLONE 10x Wash Pad multiple times. Make sure to have a backup wash pad on hand in case it is dropped on the ground. This will prevent any extra dirt getting on your vehicle.

 Pro Tip:After final rinse while the car is wet, spray the entire car with ceramic spray/detail spray and rinse again to eliminate streaking in the drying process. 

We recommend applying Sonax Spray and Seal. This product incorporates aHybrid Polymer Technology that provides up to 3 months of protection. The Sonax Spray and Seal enhances shine and color depth. 

This product should not be applied on hot surfaces or applied in direct sunlight. For best results, allow the vehicle surface to cool before applying. 

 

Do's:
 Do wash the car in the shade if possible
 Allow the paint to cool before washing
 Allow foam to soak into paint for 1-3 min before rinsing and then washing

Dont's:
 Don't clean the whole car without cleaning off the wash mitt multiple times. One panel per side of mitt, rinse, repeat
 Don't use a pressure washer too close to surface of car as it can cause damage Don't use paint wash mitt on wheels, get separate buckets and brushes
 Don't drop the wash mitt on the ground and reuse. It is out of commission until it is thoroughly washed

 

Dry

Drying your car properly is just as important as the overall exterior washing. It’s helpful to use a towel that absorbs more water and dries quickly. 

Twist n Shout Lavender Drying Towel

We recommend using the Twist N' Shout Lavender Twist Loop Drying Towel.This towel is designed with the Highest Quality AA-Grade 70/30 Blend Korean Microfiber that helps wick away any moisture. This towel is also 25" x 36", so you can cover lots of surface area.

Pro Tip:To avoid water spots, don’t let water dry on your car. It is helpful to wash in smaller sections and dry immediately after. 

 

Do's:
After final rinse, dry car immediately so water doesn’t stain the surface

Dont's:
 Don't rub the surface hard with a drying rag. Pull the rag over the surface
 Don't let water dry on surface

 

Ready to wash your vehicle?

Head over to our online shop to view all of our available cleaning products for your vehicle. Use discount code SUMMER22 for 10% off your purchase!

 

About Automotive Specialty Warehouse

We're experts in vehicle finishes such as ceramic coating, vinyl wraps, paint protection film, window tinting and detailing. On a daily basis we provide our customers immaculate vehicles. The vehicle care products we sell on our website are tested, proven and used by us on a daily basis. We sell these vehicle care products because we know that they are a much higher quality than you will buy from big-box stores, at an affordable price, and are proven to work.


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