When you buy a vehicle, it can be very exciting. But you also will have to think about all of the maintenance and auto repair in Philadelphia, PA that is going to go into that ownership as well. If you take pride in your vehicle, you might want to wash it frequently to keep the paint looking new and the shine on the tires. But you will not want to use common dish soap for washing purposes. Yes, it does a good job, but it can break down the car’s wax and give the vehicle more of a dull look over time.
If you can’t use dish soap, what should you use? Well, car soap! It’s really that simple. Car soap has more lubricant in it, so it feels slicker between your fingers. That’s what makes it better for the surfaces of the vehicle. In addition to the special car soap, you will want a sponge or a washing mitt as well as some brushes for the tires. Get out some buckets and a microfiber towel to clean. You may also want bug remover and possibly, on occasion, wax to spray or rub on.
It’s best to wash your car in the shade if you can so it doesn’t dry before you are ready and cause water spots to staining. Keep your car wet until you are ready to dry it to combat those water spots. Oh, and don’t forget to close the windows on a nice day! You will want to avoid squirting anything under the hood. Yes, it looks dirty under there, but you don’t need that area to be squeaky clean.
What’s the best way to wash a car? Start with the wheels. The car soap can clean the rubber and that part will be very dirty. You can then get fresh soap and water once that part is clean. Rinse the car with the hose and get the debris off. Pre-treat any areas that need it, like places that have bugs splattered on it or bird droppings. Then you can soap and rinse one side of the car, moving to the next. After everything is washed, rinse one more time and dry quickly so you don’t get water spots.
Air drying is fine, but if you don’t like water spots, try a squeegee to remove most of the water before you let the air do the rest of the work. If you use a towel, don’t work in circular motions, but rather in straight lines.
There are lots of things to learn about car maintenance, even something as simple as washing the car. If you have a need for oil changes or another auto repair in Philadelphia, PA, or if you just need advice on your vehicle, you are welcome to contact the professionals at Schafer’s Auto Center any time. We’re here to help you decide when you need an oil change, what soap to use when to get new tires and everything in between.
