The do’s & don’ts of cleaning your car
Car Cleaning 101:
If you’re proud of your car you probably enjoy keeping it clean and in good running condition. It also helps when it comes time to selling it to have it looking as good as new.
Gumtree Autos notes that presentation is everything and that a clean-looking car shouts attraction and subliminally sends a message to prospective buyers that it has been properly looked after.
“Apart from fixing the obvious dings and scratches, and having alloy wheels repaired, most of the work can be done by yourself and requires little more than some time, elbow grease and cleaning aids. That is, if you want so save time and money by not sending you car to valet centre for a thorough steam cleaning inside and out and a buff of the bodywork.”
Interior
Vacuum and wash everything you can see and touch, especially the nooks and crannies between seats, dashboard and vents. Follow these simple tips:
- Stick a bristle on the end of the vacuum pipe to loosen sticky dirt articles and a paint brush or tooth brush to get into deeper crannies.
- Use a damp cloth to wipe down the entire interior with some light detergent if there are sticky areas left by kids and pets on vinyl, leather and fabric.
- Windows are especially important – wipe down with a chamois to ensure there are no streaks left behind.
- If your car has loose mats, spray some washing powder and stain remover on them and put it though a washing machine cycle, then leave it in the sun to dry. Rubber mats can be scrubbed down with a brush and detergent.
Wheels
When it comes to the exterior, start with the wheels. Check out these simple tips:
- Use detergents and a sturdy brush to scrub the tyre rubber to rid it of mud, road oil and brake dust.
- Use detergent to clean the wheel caps or alloys – accumulated brake dust, oils and general dirt can be particularly persistent.
- A great trick is to spray oven cleaner on the alloys and to leave it to soak in to the dirt for a few minutes (wear gloves and lots of water to scrub and rinse off!) Use a brush with light bristles, and don’t scrub too hard, otherwise you will damage the top layer of the alloy treatment. Rather, repeat the oven cleaner and detergent process a few times.
Exterior
- Wash the car in a place with plenty of shade, and use loads of water and a generous amount of shampoo to clean off oils and dirt. Hot bodywork will result in water evaporating quickly and leaving soapy streaks.
- DON’T use dishwashing liquid – this will damage the protective coating on the paintwork.
- Start at the top and work your way down, and wash each section of the car at a time, then hose it off properly – roof, front, rear, and either side.
- Dry with a chamois, and don’t forget the insides of the doors.
Your car should now look as good as new – still want to sell it? Download the Gumtree app to place a free ad or search thousands of vehicles!
Source: Gumtree Autos