Do’s and dont’s when washing your car
WASHING your car seems like a pretty straightforward job, right? After all, a water supply, some detergent and wash towels seem like more than enough to get the job done.
However, car enthusiast and auto mechanic Roshane Holness says while the task itself is not complex, when done right, you will not only have a clean car but you will also be able to protect the finish.
Though there is currently a prohibition order in place making it unlawful for people to use National Water Commission potable water for non-essential things, like washing cars, if you’re not sure you are washing your car, “right”, Holness shares the following do’s and don’ts when next you wash your motor vehicle:
What to do
1. Park the car in a shady area. This will reduce the likelihood of your car drying too quickly, because these can leave blotches of soap residue on the car’s paint.
2. Wet the surface of the car all at once, but be sure to gauge the pressure from the hose. If the water pressure is too high, it can rub grit over the paint and cause scratches.
3. When spraying the water on your car’s surface, you should try to make sure that the water runs downward, because water sprayed upward may cause water to seep into the car if rubber seals are faulty.
4. Use car-wash detergent instead of soap powder or even dishwashing liquid, because these can accelerate the oxidation process and give the car a dull look. Additionally, they may break down the car’s wax coat.
5. When drying the car, use fresh towels. In order to prevent rust, make sure you wipe down all wet surfaces.
6. After drying the car, you can go ahead and wax it. Wax on your car surface protects the paint from the sun as well as from deterioration or fading.
What to avoid
1. Don’t forget to remove jewellery when washing your car, because these can cause accidental scratches on the vehicle.
2. Don’t use the same wash towels for the upper and lower extremities of the car. It is best if you wash the upper section and leave the lower section for last. It is important that you do not use the same wash towel you used on the tyres and under the car on the painted surface, since there is the possibility that you will bring grit to the painted surface which can cause scratches.
3. Don’t just focus on the exterior of your car. Take some time and focus on the interior of the car as well, dust the dashboard and instrument clusters, vacuum the carpets, use leather or cloth cleaner for the seats. Take out the mats, clean and dust beneath them, and remove any unwanted garbage as well.
4. Don’t rub the towel against your car’s surface too hard. Applying moderate pressure will get the job done; when done too hard you will get streaks.
5. Don’t neglect washing important parts of the car, as some people do. You don’t only want to focus on the glass or windows and painted areas. You should also wash away the debris that gets caught under the car.
6. Do not use harsh chemicals on your glass and painted areas of your car. If you are going to use a glass cleaner, do not spray directly on the window. Instead, spray it on to the towel or paper towel being used.
7. Don’t leave the hose running idly. Don’t use potable water to wash your car and especially at this time; if you can use a bucket to wash your car then that would be beneficial.
— Penda Honeyghan
