Winter is over, spring is already bringing summer temperatures – high time to remove the last bits of salt and mud from your car. Even the rubber mats inside your car, with all their dirty residue, deserve a thorough car cleaning.
A few utensils and a dose of enthusiasm, you can do it yourself in no time at all. When the car paintwork is polished and the body is completely clean, the interior should by no means be neglected.
Utensils for car preparation
With a few simple tips and tricks, the spring cleaning on and in your vehicle can be done quickly and you can start the warm season with a shine. It is best to have all the necessary Exterior cleaning first
Before you start washing your car, it is essential that your car is out of the blazing sun. The paint should be cooled down before being rinsed off in order to avoid thermal tension and the associated damage and cracks.
With high pressure against the coarsest dirt
First of all, the high-pressure cleaner is the means of choice for effective dirt removal. This will loosen stubborn and coarse deposits on the wheel arches, rims and the body. Also rinse the sub-floor thoroughly, as a lot of road salt adheres here, which otherwise promotes rust formation. In addition, the water jet can be used to remove insects, for example on the windshield or on the radiator grille. If warm water is available, residues dissolve even better. However, it shouldn’t be too hot. It is important in this step that all coarse dirt particles are thoroughly removed, otherwise the notorious swirls or wash scratches will occur in the next step.
Cleaning agent against stubborn residues
Only now does it make sense to apply foam to the body. Special shampoos are diluted with water for this purpose and form a layer of foam on the body when applied. This works best with the help of a pressure sprayer or the foam nozzle of the high pressure cleaner. After a few minutes exposure time, you can rinse with pure water.
The 2-bucket method is recommended in the next step. Fill two buckets (preferably light-colored ones so that you can see dirty water more easily) with about 10 liters of lukewarm water. Dissolve the cleaning agent of your choice in one of the buckets. Make sure that you use car shampoos that do not attack the wax layer on the vehicle. Degreasing detergents are not suitable here as they damage the paintwork. In addition, it should be ensured that cleaning agents do not get into the groundwater – you should therefore refrain from washing your car in the garden.
If everything is ready, the car cleaning can start. When washing by hand, it makes sense to start on the roof and work your way down. This procedure ensures that the water stays clean for as long as possible. At the same time, dirt residues cannot run down from the top and contaminate surfaces that have already been cleaned. Change the dirty water from time to time so as not to distribute the dissolved residues on the body and, in the worst case, damage the paintwork with dissolved dirt particles.
Also make sure that the shampoo does not dry out or dry out. Rinse areas that have already been washed thoroughly with clean water. .
A convertible top also needs attention
Some convertibles have a sensitive fabric top. Of course, this cannot be cleaned in the same way as one made of solid material. Hand washing is also preferable for regular care. If there is little soiling in individual areas, dry brushing with a soft brush is often sufficient? If the degree of soiling is too high, you can also work carefully with the high-pressure cleaner. However, it is important to ensure that the nozzle is pointed at least 80 centimeters from the fabric on the convertible top. A regular visual inspection also ensures that more stubborn contamination can be discovered and removed as early as possible.
If it is heavily soiled, use specially designed convertible top care. It is best to start with the least amount of aggressive cleaning agents possible. Do not use stronger products until you have no other option.
Final polish and wax care
After careful exterior cleaning, car polishes and sealers create a shiny effect on the car. These liquids contain micro particles which, when used, grind and smooth the rough surface of the paint. In addition, the smallest depressions are filled in this way.
Since there is always a small risk of destroying the top layer of varnish with every polish, you can also use wax for this purpose to be on the safe side. A wax polish is the gentler counterpart, but it cannot repair any scratches. Car wax is primarily used to protect the paint layer. It is water-repellent and can withstand high temperatures, which protects the paintwork in summer. In addition, dirt on waxed surfaces can be removed more quickly. Before you start, the paint must be completely clean and the vehicle must be in the shade. Then apply the wax and distribute it with a microfiber cloth or sponge. It is important to only work on partial areas, as the wax dries up quickly. In contrast to polishing, there is no need to apply pressure here. Remove excess wax after a short ventilation with a microfiber cloth carefully in circular movements. For the perfect shine, the procedure can be repeated after a few hours of drying time.
