Many people work hard to keep their car looking as new and beautiful as when they first bought it. However, a lot of car owners do not know how to properly wash their car.

While it is easy to pop along to a car wash and let the machine do all the work for you, these machines can also damage the vehicle. They can cause scratches and damage you don’t notice till after the job is done.

Instead, why not stick to the old fashioned sponge and bucket? With the right tools and advice, it is easy to keep it cleaner for longer.

Your car should be hand-washed at least once a week. The reason for this is that things like bird muck and brake dust can quickly contaminate car paintwork and cause more long term problems in a matter of days. Therefore, the quicker the dirt is removed from the car, the better.

You will need two or three buckets of water with appropriate car shampoos, sponges, brushes and mitts. Never wash a car in direct sunlight.

The first step is to wash the wheels and tyres with appropriate wheel and tyre cleaner using a brush. Use a hose to rinse the grit off.

Next, start working from the top of the car to the bottom, using clean water and car shampoo. You should have one bucket of water mixed with the shampoo and the other with clean water in it. Every time you use the soapy water and your sponge to wash each bit of the car, prior to putting the sponge back in the soapy water, dip it in the cold water and rinse it out to remove any muck. Rinse the car thoroughly with water on several occasions during the cleaning process, including right at the end. Don’t use soap that you use to wash dishes in the kitchen as this could damage the paintwork.

You should dry your car off using a microfiber towel to avoid leaving any water spots. This should be done as quickly as possible. Lastly, a spray wax will give your car’s bodywork that little extra protection.

If you do have a garage available at home it is always better to keep it in their over-night as this will protect it from the elements.

If you need more help with cleaning your car correctly, talk to the experts at Bartons Hyundai. They can assist with choosing the right tools and the right techniques to give your car that new look now.