Month: November 2017

If you wash your own car, you may notice that fine scratches, swirl marks and spider webbing seem to be attracted to your car’s paint like a magnet. If this is the case, then you need a lesson in proper car washing techniques. The wheel woolies serves as a washboard, keeping dirt off your wash pad and your vehicle tires.

Washing your car regularly is to exterior car care as changing your oil is to good engine maintenance. As we used to hear on TV, “You can pay me now or pay me later!” As with the engine, dirt and grime are the enemy of your vehicle’s paint, glass, plastic and polished metal finishes. It causes scratching and it’s a catalyst for corrosion. That means that regular washing is essential, but are you doing it the right way?

The Double-Edge Sword of Car Washing

Car washing can be a double-edged sword. That’s because your average jug-o-car-wash product is more likely to strip your car wax than not, leaving you with a dull, unprotected paint finish. Dish washing detergents, a favorite of many car owners, are even worse. Products like Dawn work great cutting through grease and grime, making them a very effective car wax remover. Sure, your car will be spotless, but it won’t have a bit of protection.

The Importance of a Quality Car Wash Soap

If you’re going to wash your own car, be sure to use a quality car wash shampoo product. Trust me, spending a buck or two extra on a good product is money well spent. You can’t go wrong with Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash and Conditioner or Mothers California Gold Car Wash. They are both easy to find at your local auto parts store and they won’t remove your wax protection. Plus, these wash shampoos offer conditioners designed to prevent scratching and maintain the shine.

Cheap Wash Mitts & Household Sponges are a No-No!

If you are already using a quality car wash, and you get swirls and scratches anyway, the problem could be your wash mitt or sponge. Cheap, synthetic wash mitts are bad news, and household sponges are even worse. What your car needs is a high quality wash mitt that holds lots of soapy water and is free-rinsing. I highly recommend a lamb’s wool mitt or one of the big, shaggy microfiber wash mitts. They work great and they don’t scratch, unless you don’t use it correctly.

I can’t tell you how many times I have watched people use their wash mitt, then toss it on the ground while they rinse the car. On the ground the wash mitt picks up dirt and grit like a magnet. Almost as bad is tossing the mitt into the bucket of soapy water where it sinks to the bottom and picks up all of the grit and grime you just washed off. The best solution is to put it across the rim of your wash bucket or use a device called a Grit Guard to keep it off the bottom of the bucket altogether.

Try Using Two Buckets… It Works!

If you are really paranoid about swirl marks and fine scratches (black car owners, listen up), you might want to use the two bucket method. That’s where you have one bucket with your soapy water and a second bucket of clean water for rinsing your wash mitt. This makes your soapy water last longer because you never put your wash mitt into the soap before rinsing it.

The two bucket method has a very practical benefit. Most importantly it keeps dirt and grit out of your soapy water, which keeps it off your car’s paint. It also makes your soapy water and wash suds last longer.

Old Bath Towels for Drying… Never!

After washing, it’s time to dry. A thorough drying off prevents water spots and streaking, but what’s the best towel to use? It isn’t a bath towel, I can tell you that.

Household towels contain polyester threads and backing for durability. Pure cotton is nice and absorbent, but it isn’t strong enough. That’s why bath towels, kitchen towels and beach towels contain polyester. Unfortunately, polyester is stronger that steel and it scratches just like steel wool. If you use household towels to dry your car, they will cause swirl marks.

The old timers used leather chamois. They work great, last a long time, and don’t scratch, but they have to be put through a wringer. A more modern solution is the microfiber drying towel, often called a waffle weave towel. Although these towels are synthetic, they are super absorbent and the cloth fibers are so fine and soft they don’t scratch. You can buy microfiber drying towels at your local auto parts store.

A scratch-free, swirl-free car wash isn’t difficult or a mystery. Use a quality car wash, wash mitt and drying towel and your swirl mark problems will be gone forever.

Discover popular car detailing articles on the Guide to Detailing blog, including more car washing and drying tips that will save you time and money.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/David_Bynon/26388

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6163268

Both methods can be stressful to use, however this article will help make your experience a little easier. From the moment you drive off the forecourt, your new car is vulnerable to the everyday frustrations that the road throws at you that is the reason why you need a car paint protection Brisbane.

Get a good battery charger and be sure it is always in your vehicle. Learn how to find the batter charger.

Never underestimate the value of keeping an emergency kit handy. You should put together a kit that includes the tools you need to change a tire, help you get some extra gas and tire changing tools as well.

You should wash your car to keep the rust away. All cars eventually succumb to rust, but you can delay the process considerably by making sure any salt or chemicals are washed off as soon as possible. Make sure you regularly wax your car so as to protect the paint.

Referrals are a great method for finding an auto mechanic. Ask the people you know and trust who they take their recommendations.You can find out about the quality of service and value that way. People can tell you what kind of experience they had to deal with and whether the person was honest or not.

Go over your automobile’s manual and make sure to mark important pages. You might even find the information you have been encountering.

Keep a record of all the repairs you make on your car is fixed or maintained. If further issues develop later, it is useful to be able to give your mechanic all such records.

Don’t leave valuables in your car when it’s being repaired.Mechanics might have to empty the inside of your vehicle and they aren’t responsible if an item is damaged or missing. Empty the trunk and glove compartment.

If you notice your headlights do not shine as brightly as they used to, you may need to clean them. Use a reputable glass cleaner to get the situation dramatically.

While a lot of shops are trustworthy, you don’t want to be paying too much money for the repairs needed. Search for an auto repair shop that specializes in repairing the make of car. These repair shops can better understand the needed repairs for your vehicle.

Replacing the bulbs on your taillights or headlights yourself can save you do it by yourself. It’s simpler in some vehicles than others, and it’s a lot cheaper than having someone else do it. Ask someone you trust if he can show you how to fix these problems.

Pay attention to the condition of your wiper blades. You may need new blades if the ones you have are streaking or making noises.

The weight of a big key chain. If your keys starts sticking, install new tumblers and use a lighter key chain.

It can be very dangerous to fix your own. Always get someone close at hand to help you in case of emergency. Buy only the highest quality tools that will last and not break easily. This is especially true particularly in the case of the tools needed for changing tires. The jack has to be strong enough to keep the car.That’s why sometimes it’s smart to use a hydraulic jack with approved jack stands that are approved.

There are a few different classifications that determine the quality of parts. New parts are brand new and made solely to a manufacturer’s specifications. Refurbished or rebuilt parts ate those that have been restored to working condition. “Salvage” means that the parts have been used without being improved or repaired.

Even if you think your vehicle just has a minor issue, you should definitely have it looked at. A small problem may grow into a major one if it is left unchecked.

Some unscrupulous body shops replace your tires with even older ones. They profit off of your ignorance. Mark your tires before taking your car to an auto shop. If you find the chalk is missing later on, you’ve been had.

Don’t let a mechanic convince you that an engine flush is a common maintenance visit. This service and it may not something that is typically done during the course of normal maintenance.

A lot of auto repair comes from consistency. Stick with a shop that has gained your trust instead of going to multiple places for work. Different mechanics might tell you something totally unrelated to your problem is wrong. They could also charge different amounts that cause you to pay more for repairs.

Having written proof can help you in the road.

Ask to have your mechanic to give you the old parts when they’re replaced. This can help you feel comfortable that a repair has been performed. This is not important if you get your exhaust system replacement. You should be able to tell if they have a brand new exhaust system.

When you’re getting a car washed, set mats outside and hose them a couple times. Dirt particles can get inside their rubber surfaces and can cause holes. Holes don’t look good and let dirt through.

Find a mechanic who is already familiar with your vehicle. Ask whoever will be responsible for the repairs if they have experience with your particular make and model of vehicle.

Tire wear is something you can avoid if your tires get rotated on a regular rotation. You need to get the tires rotated about every 6000 miles, but it may depend on the model and make of the vehicle. Get yourself good tires if you’re not wanting to be worried about them getting worn very quickly.

Check out your drive axle boots frequently. These are needed to protect drive axle joint. You can inspect this part by turning the wheels of your tires and looking behind them.

Never sign an authorization which lacks a dollar figure. This can make you pay the costs of your mechanic lists. Know exactly what a repair will cost are before signing on the dotted line.

Repairing your vehicle is usually stressful, but you can reduce the stress with this basic approach. Use the advice mentioned above in regards to your auto repairs. The end result is a better car.