There are a few things that are as satisfying as a clean car. But this is a feat that is not really achievable most of the time because of several factors, including the fact that the foaming brushes used by local car washers often collect debris ready to scratch the surface of your vehicle.

So today, we’re going to teach you a few tips on how to do-it-yourself and get your car sparkling clean safely, without damaging the paint. Here are 10 easy steps that will help you wash your car like a pro.

1. Evaluate your car

This may not seem necessary but it’s crucial to determine how dirty your car and what kind of materials you may need to bring out before starting your car wash. An older car may need more cleaning materials with clays, waxes, and polishes to protect the paint, while a new car may have its new paint coat still attached.

2. Know your products

Before you start applying anything to your car, READ AND UNDERSTAND the labels. Not all automotive cleaning products are all-purpose, and some could even damage the paint, clear coat, or other finishes inside and out. Also, this will help you save time and money, ensuring you’re using the right amount of product for the task at hand.

3. Use the three-bucket system

To keep your car clean, the last thing you want to do is wash the car with dirty water, which only reintroduces those same contaminants you’re trying to remove. That’s where the three-bucket cleaning system comes into play. You have one bucket filled with clean soapy water and another bucket with just water. The third bucket should be used for wheels and tires exclusively, as these are often especially dirty. This will ensure that your car can get the cleanest wash.

4. Rinse and repeat

Always remember to rinse your car down first to remove larger pieces of dirt and other loose contaminants like dust, dirt and mud. Then you can add soapy water to the exterior, but make sure the soap is designed for car washing as most liquid detergents and dish cleaners can strip away the wax and damage the paint.

5. Take care of the surface

Now that your car is properly rinsed off, you’ll be able to spot those blemishes like the swirls, scratches, and oxidation in the paint, even though you just washed your car. To remove these tougher blemishes, use a clay bar, which can remove these stubborn spots along with any wax previously applied to the vehicle. Depending on how deep the scratches are, the process may require using a compound, or even a paint touchup for more serious scratches.

6. Polish and wax

Once you’ve washed the vehicle and prepared the surface, you can polish the vehicle for an extra high-gloss appearance that can give the paint a mirror-like look. Using car wax will also give your car an extra layer of shine, and protection too, as car wax is a protectant, adding an extra layer of protection to the paint from UV rays to prevent fading. Wax also helps protect the paint from anything that may land on the vehicle that’s corrosive, such as bird poop.

7. Wash your windows right

Your windows are another part of your car where using the right product is important. Most store-bought window cleaners contain ammonia, which can damage a car’s window tint. Instead, opt to use a window cleaner made specifically for car windows.

8. Get the wheels

The wheels should be the final piece of your cleaning puzzle. Again, make sure that the cleaning product you have is designed for your type of wheel. If you’re unsure about what kind of wheels you have, use the least potent wheel cleaner. Also, make sure you don’t get the product on the tire itself, because when you drive the vehicle, the tire could spray the product onto the paint.

What do you think about our car cleaning tips? Leave a comment below!

8 Steps To Wash Your Car Like A Pro