Being lucky enough to direct photo shoots for all kinds of auto industry clients, I have learned that a clean and smooth paint surface is the first step towards an award-winning image. The hot rods, muscle cars and motorcycles that feature our clients’ products must always shine!
Just a few shots I directed.
I thought with the weather getting warmer and with everyone starting to wash their cars now would be a good time to share what I have learned about washing a car. Plus, remember your vehicle says a lot about you and if you’re like most people, your vehicle is the second most expensive investment (next to a home) that you will ever make – so you should take care of it.
By washing it quickly and methodically, your vehicles shine is easy to maintain!
- Use the best auto care products that you can afford and try to stick to one brand. (If you try to mix and match too many different brands, the chemicals in those different brands might not be formulated to work well together. Some synthetics don’t work well with natural products-they might end up actually “hazing” your paint.)
- Don’t use household cleaners or soaps. (Dishwashing liquid is designed to cut grease and dirt, which is nice, but it will probably take off waxes that are protecting your paint.)
- Buy a bucket for car washing only! (Stay away from the same bucket that you use in your house because it may contain a floor cleaner or some other household agent, and you don’t want to cross-contaminate your soaps. Also, if for some reason your sponge or washcloth hits the ground, make sure you rinse it out in a different bucket or under a utility sink faucet-that’s the only way you won’t pick up any rocks or pebbles which could scratch or mar your surface.)
- Buy towels for your car only! (It’s best to buy a set of towels that are specifically designated for car cleaning.)
- Don’t use hot water when washing your car. (Some waxes don’t like it.)
- Don’t use a power-washer. (Cars aren’t designed to have water forced onto their surface under severe pressure, they are designed to last for years in natural environments that include hard rain. A power-washer is too powerful and it may actually force water into areas where it doesn’t belong.)
- Work quickly! (This isn’t a time to get a ham sandwich or go visiting with the neighbors, you have soap and water on your paint and they are drying in the sun! That’s why it’s best to start the job in mid-morning or late afternoon – and never wash your car in the direct sunlight.)
- Start at the top and work your way down. (Make sure that as you wash the vehicle, you follow its natural lines.)
- Wash a section at a time. (Remember to keep plenty of water on the vehicle until you are ready to dry. Agitate harder to clean areas rather than scrub.)
- Are you done? Nope! (Dry your car off entirely before cleaning the wheels! Yes, you will need to touch-up around the fenders after you rinse your wheels.)
Wheels last? Yep. it’s important to start at the top and work down. That means wheels last! Start in the center of the wheel and work your way out using a nice turning motion. Don’t expect too much help from spray-on wheel cleaners without using a soft wheel brush too.
Cleaning the tires is especially important for two reasons. One, it gives you a chance to take a quick look at your tread and any possible abnormalities in the tire. But, it also eliminates brake dust, which can lead to a brown staining on either the rims or tires which could eventually lessen the value of your vehicle.
Always use washing your car or motorcycle as a way to do visual inspection around critical parts.
My favorite brand is Black Magic www.blackmagicshine.com but I also use products from Griot’s Garage www.griotsgarage.com Be careful how you mix these two brands!
