There are many reasons why I love working at Homer Skelton Ford, but the thing I love the most is the people; the new people I meet each day and the great people I work with. One of these people is my good friend Ryan ”Superman” Spann, and he is a detailing guru. I asked Superman for some tips on keeping your automobile clean and the proper way to wash one. I learned a few things and wanted to share them with you. I hope you find these tips helpful when the exterior of your car just needs a little freshening up.
From Dust to Spotless
If your car is just a little dirty and you don’t have time to break out the buckets, sponges, soap, and wax, here is a simple 10 minute way to give it a light bath, without taking a lot of time to get it done. Superman has developed a routine from the many new and used cars he cleans on a daily basis. That’s what I am going to attempt to explain to you today – just follow these quick tips.
Remember, these are tips for slightly dirty cars that just need a little freshening up. If your car needs a deep clean, break out the buckets and do it right remembering the best time to deep clean a car is in the morning so you don’t have to deal with the evaporation issues.
Water Pressure is Key
Water pressure is important because it can do a lot of heavy lifting. However, if your car is really dirty, it will require a little more elbow work to release the road grime and dirt. Water pressure should do the work for a lightly dirty car, so you’re still in business. Start at the top of the car, using a steady stream of water. Wet a clean microfiber towel until it’s completely soaked, then wring it out and fold it into quarters.
Use a Paint Lubricant!
A key to using this technique is to use a paint lubricant. Put two to three squirts on your microfiber towel. Wipe the car with straight lines, wringing out the water as needed and reapplying the lubricant each time.
The Towel is Important
Pay close attention to the towel. As the towel becomes dirty, fold it to a clean quarter making sure to use both sides of the towel. After you’ve used both sides, grab a clean one. Clean towels are necessary if you wish to prevent streaking and scratching. As you work your way down the car, the dirtier the towel is going to get so make sure you have plenty of microfiber towels before you get started.
Be Cautious of Brake Dust
Did you know that brake dust is extremely small pieces of sharp metal that will surely scratch the paint of your car if a towel is reused after cleaning the wheels? This is why it is important to that you always clean your wheels and tires last and be mindful to keep your wheel towels separate from your paint towels. Dry your rims with a terry towel or old microfiber paint towel and never use that towel on the paint again.
The Final Touch Up
Finally, use a bottle of spray wax and a dry microfiber towel to touch up any spots or drips and to give your car that extra shine. Remember, the trick to saving time and cleaning a slightly dirty car is the lubricant. By rinsing your car first and wiping dry with a paint lubricant, you can safely remove dust and light dirt in about 10 minutes without the need for a full wash in most cases.
Take it from a real pro, Superman, these tips will save you time and will get your car clean.
