What’s the Right Way to Wash My Car?

Growing up, washing cars used to be so simple. You simply needed a bucket, dishwashing detergent, old towel, hose and a sponge for both the body and the wheels, and you were off to the races. The less you know sometimes, the better! Nowadays, there is so much more information readily available, and with that, so many more products available for purchase. Buying car detailing products is one thing, but how do we make the best use of them? We’ll take you through a step-by-step process of how to properly wash your car in the safest way possible, to make sure your hard work is rewarded with a scratch-free finish on your paintwork and a car that looks stunning for years to come.

Step 1: Ensure that the car is in a well-shaded area before washing. Fill up an initial bucket of shampoo and water. With the car dry, mix a solution of snow foam and water in a lance bottle, and spray the foam all over the car from bottom to top, letting it dwell for up to 5 minutes where possible. We go from bottom to top to ensure that the dirtiest parts of the car are receiving the most dwell time.

Step 2: Get ready to clean the wheels first; the dirtiest part of the vehicle. Spray wheel cleaner on the wheel face, brake calipers, in the barrels and on the tyres, and let dwell. Depending on the type of wheel cleaner you have, you can also spray it in over the wheel well area to help dislodge dirt and grime. Clean the wheels, tyres and wheel wells and ensure everything has been thoroughly rinsed. Depending on the car, we also clean the exhaust tips and any plastic components at this point, to make sure we are getting as much dirt cleaned off before moving to the body contact wash.

Step 3: Fill up your second bucket with more shampoo and water, then fill up another bucket with fresh water. If you have bucket grit guards, now is the time to use them. Rinse the car, then hand wash, starting from the top and working to halfway down the car. When finished with a pass, rinse out the mitt in the “rinse” bucket, and then dip the mitt into the suds. Once the top half of the car is finished, work on the bottom half.

Step 4: Once the car washing is finished, there are two options. If you have access to a “topper” sealant, such as Autoglym Polar Seal that is applied to a wet car, now is the time to use it. Otherwise, leave the sealant till afterwards, and use a plush drying towel to soak up all the water on the surface. Spraying the towel with detailing lubricant every pass is a great way to help make the drying process more efficient.

Step 5: When the car is completely dried, now is the time to either add or top up any existing paint sealant on the vehicle. There are many available on the market, but O’Keefe’s Prestige Detailing recommends AutoGlym Instant Ceramic that offers up to 3 months of protection, and, for a slightly higher price point, NV Car Care’s Lustre, that offers up to 6 months of protection. Both offer fantastic shine, hydrophobicity and paint slickness that will be sure to elevate the look of your car. Application is simple, simply spray sealant either into a cloth or onto paintwork and glass, buff off and let cure.

Step 6: The final step of the exterior is a small but important one: the tyres! Using your favourite tyre sheen, spray into an applicator pad or sponge and spread evenly over the tyre sidewall. For best results and an even finish, you may need to go over the tyres a second time after letting them sit for a couple of minutes.

Step 7: Step back, admire your handiwork and get a couple photos of your prestige-detailed car! Depending on your location, you should be able to have a clean car for about 2 weeks, and you can rest assured that you have taken all the necessary precautions to maintain a scratch-free finish on your pride and joy.