Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your vehicle looking like new. If your car just has a moderate buildup of dust or mud, then a simple car wash in your own driveway should be sufficient to restore it to its former glory. However, it’s also important for you to keep an eye out for dents, scratches, or other signs of damage that you can have fixed at your local body shop. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind as you wash your car.

How to Properly Wash Your Vehicle

1. Choose the Right Day

Auto body paint reacts to fluctuating temperatures and can be damaged if you wash your car on an especially hot day in direct sunlight. It’s best to choose a cool or overcast day for this activity.

2. Wet the Car Fully

If you go over the vehicle with a dry cloth, it simply moves dirt and debris around along the surface of the car, which can cause scratches and lodge that dirt into the small crevices of the car. It’s essential that you go over the entire vehicle with a hose to get rid of surface dust before you start scrubbing.

3. Use Gentle Cleansers

There are cleansers made specifically for car washing that won’t damage or fade the paint. Some people feel it’s easier to use dish soap or other household cleaners, but they can wear away at the paint and ruin the finish. Make sure you’re using a specialized product for the best results. 

4. Wash From the Top Down

Throughout every step of the process, from hosing down the vehicle to cleaning to drying, you should be working from top to bottom. This ensures that there won’t be any leftover soapy residue on the car after you’ve gone over it.

5. Look for Damage

As you wash your car, make sure you carefully inspect it for any dents, scratches, and hail damage. If you notice something, bring it into your local body shop right away to prevent it from rusting and ruining the finish of your vehicle.

If you do notice signs of damage, bring your car into Miracle Workers Auto Collision Center in Lincoln, NE. The body shop works hard to make sure that your car looks and functions like new. With a full range of services including dent removal, auto body painting, and even suspension work, the body shop is staffed with experienced professionals who are equipped to provide you with the best repair services possible. You can schedule an appointment online or call (402) 474-7355 to learn more.