In this day and age, owning a car has become more popular than ever. According to data from the Vietnam Register, by the end of 2022, the country has more than 4 million cars in circulation. With the increasing number of vehicles, the need for vehicle care and maintenance also increases. In particular, car washing is an indispensable part to maintain the beauty and longevity of your car.
However, not everyone has the time and conditions to regularly take their car to professional car wash centers. That's why "washing your car at home" is becoming an increasingly popular trend in the car lover community. Not only does it help save significant costs, washing your car yourself also brings satisfaction and joy when taking care of your "four-wheeled friend" yourself.
This article will guide you How to wash your car at home in the simplest but most effective way. From preparing tools, choosing suitable car care products such as car wash, polishing wax, to the detailed step-by-step car washing process. We'll also share tips and techniques from experts in the car detailing industry, so you can achieve professional car wash results right at home. Let's explore the art of washing your car yourself, turning this seemingly boring job into a fun and exciting experience!
Washing your car at home is not only a way to save money but also brings many other benefits. According to a survey by the Vietnam Automobile Association in 2022, 78% of car owners said they like to wash their cars at home for the following reasons:
"Washing my car at home helps me save about 2 million VND per year and the car is always in clean condition" - Mr. Nguyen Van A, Toyota Vios owner shared.
Use special car wash soap! Dishwashing liquid or other household cleaners will lose shine or damage car paint. Plus, all you need is clean water, a spray nozzle, and a soft, clean cloth or brush. First, park your car in a shady place - ideally on gravel or grass so that water can seep into the soil, avoiding the risk of dirt getting back into the vehicle.
Direct sunlight will dry the car quickly, leaving soap residue or unwanted streaks on the vehicle's surface. Most car care professionals recommend using special car wash gloves or soft towels to reduce scratches on car paint. A separate soft bristle brush should be used to brush the wheels.
The car should be washed from top to bottom and regularly cleaned with towels or brushes, to avoid moving dirt from one place to another, creating scratches on the car. The lower part of the car, especially behind the wheel cavities, is where the dirt accumulates. Therefore, washing from the top will reduce the risk of moving dirt from the lower parts to the entire body, causing scratches.
One of the easiest ways to improve the look of your vehicle is to keep the rims and tires clean. As with the car body, it is important to use the correct wheel cleaner. Today, most wheel types are coated with protection or gloss, and this coating is very susceptible to damage if exposed to too strong detergent; some even require a special detergent or polish.
Make sure the wheels and brakes are cool before washing them. Cold water can damage a hot brake disc. Once the rim is clean, a specialized tire cleaner, followed by a tire polish, may be needed.
When using wax, it should be noted:
Do not ignore the car interior! Make sure you vacuum under the seat and don't use products that make the dashboard or steering wheel shine, as this can cause light reflection, which is dangerous to drive.
Regarding the interior cleaning process, first vacuum all the upholstery, then the carpets. Then, vacuum under the chair. Experts recommend using a soft cloth and clean water to clean the dashboard and seats. A cotton swab will be very useful when cleaning small crevices, and a stiff-bristled brush will be used to remove dirt stuck to the floor carpet. To be more sophisticated, you can use specialized cleaning agents for each type of interior surface, such as leather, plastic, plastic, vinyl, wood, plywood...
When you have just returned from the car or the car is in hot weather, you should not wash it immediately. Because too sudden changes in temperature will cause parts of your car to easily crack, gradually causing your car to experience many unnecessary damage.
Using water hose that is too strong to spray directly on the vehicle will affect the paint layer. Not only that, if some important parts such as the carburetor, the car are sprayed with strong water, the gasoline will be mixed with water and the engine will not explode.
With the engine compartment, you should only carefully clean the parts if you do not know how to disassemble the parts. By the way, check the engine oil, brake fluid, coolant and clean the engine air filter.
In case the engine compartment is too dirty, you should go to the car wash garage, the staff will disassemble each part and clean it thoroughly.
Should choose a soft cloth to clean the car. Or if you make use of old fabrics, old clothes, you need to cut out hard details such as buttons, zippers, stones, ... to avoid scratching the car. It is best to choose soft cotton or cotton fabrics.
Please use 1 separate towel for the bodywork, 1 separate towel for the wheel. Because if shared, dirt - dirt on the towel will make the paint coat easily scratch.
Starting the engine after washing the car will quickly dry the parts that are still standing water, reducing unnecessary rust. Therefore, you should start and run the car for a short while after washing the car.
Depending on usage conditions, the car should be washed at least every 2 weeks. For vehicles that are used frequently or in dusty environments, weekly washing may be necessary. According to the survey, 68% of car owners wash their cars 1-2 times a month to maintain beauty and protect the paint layer.
Optional. High pressure washers save water and time, but need to be used with caution. A minimum distance of 30cm from the nozzle to the vehicle surface should be maintained and the pressure should not exceed 1500 PSI to avoid damaging the paint or sensitive parts.
Use a high-quality microfiber towel to dry your car. An effective way is to use a specialized car dryer or leaf blower to dry the gaps. 92% of detailers recommend this method to avoid water stains.
Absolutely not. Direct sunlight causes water and soap to dry quickly, leaving streaks and residue. The ideal temperature for car washing is 15-25°C, humidity below 60%. Washing your car in the shade or garage will help increase cleaning efficiency by 30%.
Use a specialized glass cleaning solution and a clean microfiber towel. Wipe in an S shape from top to bottom, then reverse. Change towels regularly. 87% of professional car washers use this technique to achieve maximum transparency.
Should not. Hot water can damage the protective wax layer and cause stress to the painted surface. The ideal water temperature is 20-25°C. According to research, using warm water (no more than 35°C) can increase cleaning effectiveness by 10% compared to cold water.
Preserve car washing tools by:
Very necessary, especially during the rainy season or when traveling on muddy roads. You should wash the underbody of your car at least every 2 months. Washing the car's underbody regularly helps reduce the risk of rust by 70% and prolongs the car's life.
For light scratches, use a scratch removal pen or specialized polishing cream. For deeper scratches, touch-up paint can be used. 85% of small scratches can be significantly improved by these methods without the need for repainting.
Very necessary. Drying your car helps prevent water stains and protects paint and metal from corrosion. Use a microfiber towel or a specialized dryer. Proper drying procedures can reduce the risk of water stains on your vehicle by 90%.
After cleaning, use:
Hope the above sharing will be useful. Wish you have the most enjoyable experience when cleaning your own car! Reference Automatic car wash service at Thanh Phong Auto.
Cars Care Service Price Sheet At Thanh Phong Auto HCMC VietNam:
* The cars that we have mechanics: Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Kia, Daewoo, Hyundai,Ford, Nissan, Volkswagen, Porsche, Chevrolet, Rand Rover, Innova, Fortuner, Vios, Fiat, Bugatti, Ferrari, Bentley, Hummer , Chrysler, Dodge, Renault, Cadillac, Volvo, Subaru, Daihatsu, Ssangyong, Roll-Royce, Peugeot, Smart Fortwo, Tobe M'car, Luxgen, Zotye, Haima, Geely, Baic, Hongqi, Cmc, Mini Cooper, Buick, Opel, Acura, Aston Martin, Vinfast, TQ Wuling, BYD.
To keep your vehicle running properly at all times, we offer a number of services that are carried out by our certified, expert auto service and repair technicians who have years of experience performing everything from oil changes to a complete engine overhaul.
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