We all know that the world of car care and detailing is full of options, fads, and choices that never end. If you want your car to stay shiny and in good shape, you need to know some basic things about cars. Understanding the basics of cars will not only teach you what to do and what not to do, but it will also give you the confidence you need to work on your own car.
Many car owners think that taking their car to a hands-free car wash once a month is a good way to do their duty. But the harsh industrial blow dryers and robotic brushes that are used to wash cars don’t seem to do the trick because you can still see small scratches, bird-dropping stains, and paint swirls.
5 Big Steps for Do-It-Yourself Car Cleaning
Use the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Car Detailing tips if you love your car and want to keep its shine and quality for a long time. The do-it-yourself method saves money because the products and tools you buy can be used for more than one detail. This means that you don’t have to pay as much for frequent professional detailing sessions. Let’s talk about some of the most important steps in DIY car detailing:
1. Look at the State of Your Car
Before you start washing your car, you should take a look at how it’s doing so you can decide how to clean it. If your car is brand new and already has a good paint job, all you need to do is wash and wax it. On the other hand, if your car’s exterior looks average or worn down, you will also need to clean and polish it.
2. Car Washing
When you wash your car, you get rid of all the dirt, stains, and mud. When you wash your car, make sure you use car washing soap and not dish soap or liquid detergent, which could damage the paint or strip away the wax. Also, try to read the label before using any chemical to clean your car. The best way to clean paint, wheels, and windows is with microfiber cloths. Try to keep different clothes for each part and wash them after every use.
3. Check the surface of the car for scratches.
After you wash the car, you’ll be able to see all the scratches, swirls, bonded dirt, and oxidation in the paint. Use some compound to get rid of the scratches that go deeper than the car’s surface. You can use a polisher with two heads or applicator pads to put it on. If the scratches are still there, you may need to apply them a second or third time. In the same way, you can treat the car’s stuck-on dirt with a clay bar. It will get rid of everything that is on the car and make it smooth again.
4. Use Polishing to Get a Better Shine
Many people just jump to the next step of detailing a car, which is applying wax, without realizing that it will make the paint look better and hide small imperfections on the car’s surface. It’s best to polish your car’s paint first if you want to really get rid of any flaws on the outside. You can use your hands or a dual-action polisher to put on polish. It will make the car shine more, especially if it is a dark color.
5. Using Wax
Waxing your car is like putting sunscreen on it. It gives your car a high gloss finish and protects the shine and paint from UV rays. When you put wax on your car’s surface, it gives it the depth and shines it needs to stand out from all the other cars. After waxing your car, you will also notice a clear difference in how it feels. There are different types of wax on the market, so you can choose the one that fits your needs and budget the best.
6. Nano Ceramic Coating
If you’ve already done all of these things to your car, you can use car ceramic coatings to make it shiner, and protect it from scratches, dust, and bad weather. There are many do-it-yourself nanoceramic coatings that are easy to use if you follow the simple instructions. They last more than a year and can be put on again at any time.