The best rationale for keeping your car clean? It may sound superficial, but: “the better it looks, the more value you’re going to get out of your vehicle,” says Jennifer Olvera, director of creative and marketing at Chemical Guys, a car-detailing company based in Los Angeles. In fact, all things being equal between two used cars, the one that’s clean and well maintained will command the best price, she says.
Here are Olvera’s six dos and don’ts for making that new-car look last longer.
Don’t Use Just Any Old T-Shirt, Towel Or Rag
Old tees and tattered towels are easy to come by, but they’re not as soft as microfiber cloths, which are easier on your car’s finish. For a gentler wash, try a microfiber chenille noodle mitt. To dry the car, Olvera suggests using either a plush microfiber towel or a waffle-weave towel. For a fast, streak-free finish, use two waffle-weave towels and wipe off as much glass cleaner as you can with the first towel, then buff away any last drops or streaks with the second.
Do Use Two Buckets
Another way to keep your car’s paint job looking flawless longer: Avoid rubbing it repeatedly with dirt and debris when you wash it. Try the two-bucket method: Fill up one bucket with soapy water and another with just water. Wet your wash mitt in the first. Then, after you suds up your car, dip the mitt into the rinse bucket to clear off grime before you soap it up again. “It’s a way to make sure everything that could be on your mitt is off, reducing any chance of scratching,” Olvera says.
Do Brush & Vacuum The Floor Mats
Your vacuum can’t catch all of the dirt or dog hair that’s stuck on your interior’s carpet. Take a stiff brush to it first to loosen dust and caked-on mud. “Most vacuums are pretty strong,” Olvera says, “but this will make sure that anything captured in those fibers in your carpet comes out.”
Don’t Use A Circular Motion
“The moment you start doing circles, you risk introducing superfine scratches that are hard to fix,” says Olvera. Instead, for each step in the car-washing process, move your mitt or towel in straight lines or a Z-pattern. An accidental scratch in a straight line will be easier to touch up.
Do Clean & Protect Your Seats
“A lot of people forget to maintain their leather seats,” Olvera says. Even getting in and out of the car will eventually lead to cracking if you’re not conditioning it regularly. Depending on how much time your car spends in the sun, you should clean leather seats and moisturize with a leather conditioner every month to every six months. For cloth seats, regularly apply a fabric guard. If a spill happens, it’ll be easier to wipe up since the liquid won’t penetrate. (“Do this with your carpets, as well,” she says.) To address stains, spray a non-foaming all-purpose cleaner directly on the seat and scrub with a horsehair brush, then pat with a microfiber towel to dry.
Do Wear Car-Friendly Clothes When You Wash It
Zip-up hoodies, belt buckles and bracelets can hurt your paint job. Before you get started, consider what you have on—or invest in a microfiber apron (yes, they exist!) to wear while you do this chore. While it may seem overzealous to put on a car-washing outfit, Olvera says that even buttons can scratch paint.
Another important way to protect your car: the right auto insurance. Get a quote from GEICO and make sure your vehicle is covered for whatever comes your way.
Next article: Accidents happen. Find out what to do if you’re involved in a crash or a fender bender so you’re prepared.
By Catherine Strawn
Larry Schultz says,
A leaf blower is a great way to remove rinse water from nooks and crannies after a wash. If you do not own one a short drive as soon as possible after a wash works very well. I carry a synthetic Sammie such as the “Absorber” Wal-Mart, AutoZone. With me and stop to get places that hide from the air flow before they dry. When I get home my truck looks awesome and my back and shoulders thank me!
Kathy W. says,
Great info, funny thing, just this week while I was waiting for my Honda Fit to be serviced I had asked my service rep about the best products to use for washing my car.. He said no dish or laundry detergent , just use product meant for washing cars.
Andy says,
Drying the car with a leaf blower after washing further reduces the amount of contact with the paint which reduces the amount of scratches and swirls. When washing the car, use a car wash soap. Do not use a liquid dish detergent. These soaps are high in PH which means that they are alkaline. The alkalinity of the soap will strip the wax off of the paint and render it defenseless to the elements.
After washing and drying the car, if you plan to wax it, do the plastic baggy test first. Get a small sandwich bag and put it on your hand. Place this hand on the paint surface and move it back and forth. If the surface feels rough or bumpy, the paint has contaminates on the surface and this will require the use of a clay bar and lubricant to remove them. Wipe the residual lubricant off the paint surface after claying the surface with a dry microfiber towel. After the entire car has been clayed, you can proceed with waxing or sealing it.
Danita Story says,
Very good information. Thank you.
Lauren says,
Nice to see you care not just collect money.
Josie Brown says,
Thanks for the tips. I learned something new about caring for my vehicles. A thanks for the affordable coverage .
Mic Tod says,
Great advice and tips. Can’t believe that most car owners don’t observe these precautions, but given the condition of many “used” autos and pickups on today’s lots, they clearly don’t. One piece of advice my father gave me many years ago, considering the purchase of any used auto is this: Avoid any cars/trucks that have trashy interiors. The owners who maintain their interiors are the same owners who maintain their engines, brakes and other items. He’s been proved right over and over again by my used car purchases when I couldn’t afford to buy new.
Oleg Konovalov says,
Any way to fix minor paint scratches?
I have one which is 7′ long (some bastard with a coin, I guess) and few small ones.
Thomas says,
Take your vehicle to a local automotive detail business. They have compounds and orbitals that will polish and buff those minor scratches and swirls out. If the scratch is deep enough to go past the clear coat and into the actual paint you may have to take it to a body shop where they may be able to repair it.
Ernest Jones says,
The paint on both my 20yr cars look showroom new. Rarely do i use soap or detergent.
Using a large clean sponge, I rinse the car off with a small constant flow of water, flipping the sponge often and squeezing the dirt out of the sponge constantly.
For dirt, tar and grime at the bottom or on upper surfaces, use high end fine cut fine cleaner on a wet round hand polishing pad only where you visibly see the need white the car is wet and being rinsed with the sponge. Rinsing the pad and reapplying the fine cut cleaner as needed. This works wonders.
Shammie dry when done rinsing with light pressure. To keep the surface glass smooth, every other time or so I will use a micro fiber and spay polish again with light wiping only on areas that need it, hood, etc. And this is never done in direct sunlight. Garage is preferable.
My paint is a testament less is more.
John Finn says,
Let’s not forget look for a leather cleaner with little or no alcohol… look more for a plant based cleaner conditioner like aloe etc….
John Finn says,
Let’s not forget rings, they are the worst at car entry points!
Jim B says,
Microfiber cloths and clothes are very bad for the environment. There’s no way to clean up the microfibers from our water supply. Better to use a bath towel or chamois.
Thomas says,
I have not heard of this but I will take your advice into consideration. Microfiber towels are, however, perfect for the exterior of your car. There is no need to throw them away either as you can simply purchase a detergent specifically for microfiber and just wash and reuse them.
RENILDA MESTANZA says,
I am addicted to your gecko commercials . Specially the old ones before he was working for GEICO . The Comodo dragon was one of the best. It would be fantastic if you get them all in one DVD. I would be the first to buy. The GECKO was the reason for me to buy GEICO insurance.
Richard Duttle says,
A lotta “fluf” out there. Keep car reasonably clean inside and out. I inspect my vehicles before using it. I perform all routine maintenance. My cars are like brand new and free of defects. Also, drive your car like you can’t ever get another. Drive careful and pay attention to your driving. My 2000 Ford Ranger XLT. IS LIKE A BRAND NEW CAR. It has never broke down on me. It is very safe. 169,000 trouble free miles.
Shaun says,
Terrific idea about using the extra bucket to rinse off the mitt or washing clothes being used!