Wash Your Car Like a Pro

Have a little extra time on your hands this weekend? With spring officially here, it’s the perfect time to refresh your driving machine – inside and out. Cleaning your car can help protect the finish, prevent rust and add resale value. To learn how to wash your car like a pro, check out the tips below and don’t forget to read up on some of our other car maintenance tips we recently shared in honor of National Car Care Month.   

 

Clean the Inside

The first step to cleaning any car is to dive in and thoroughly clean the inside. Start by removing all items that might have accumulated since the last time you cleaned your car. Keep a garbage bag handy to throw away any trash and place items you want to keep in a separate pile.

The next step is to vacuum the inside. Popular Mechanics advises to work from the top down, because “gravity dictates that stuff stirred up moves its way down.” Don’t forget to remove the floor mats to vacuum anything that might be underneath. A handy tip to remove the dirt out of any creases: use a screwdriver or compressed air duster.

As the carpet and upholstery of your car plays a large role in how your car smells, it’s important to clean all soft parts of the interior. Grab a can of Spot Shot_® Instant Carpet Stain Remover to remove all types of tough stains – even the old ones! For uses and tips on how to use the product, click here.

Make sure you wipe down the plastic and rubber parts of the car with a cloth that’s been lightly soaked in water. To keep door seals supple, spray WD-40_® Specialist_® Water Resistant Silicone Lubricant on a cloth and rub the seals.

Don’t forget about the trunk! Use the same steps mentioned above to clear out the back as well. While you’re at it, check the air pressure on the spare tire if it’s contained in the trunk and make sure your roadside safety kit is properly stocked.

 

Wash the Outside

Before you start washing the outside of your car, make sure you have a steady supply of water, car wash soap, a hose with a spray nozzle, a clean cloth or wash mitt (MSN Autos recommends a microfiber wash mitt or towel to minimize scratching), and a soft-bristle brush for cleaning the wheels.

The best game plan is to begin by rinsing the entire car with water to remove the loose dirt. As you did when vacuuming the inside of the car, make sure you wash the outside from the top down. To prevent sections from drying, wash and rinse the vehicle one section at a time with the car wash soap and water. Once you’ve completed the final rinse, wipe the vehicle lightly with a microfiber towel to soak up water without ruining your hard work.

Afterward, spray window and glass cleaner on the windows and wipe the windows top down. Lastly, take WD-40_® Specialist_® Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser and spray it on the tire frames. Scrub with a soft-bristle brush to remove gunk and grime. 

 

Tip: Use WD-40_® Multi-Use Product on chrome parts to really make them shine.