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How to Wash and Wax Washing the Car: Using concentrated
car cleaner only, add two or so capfuls to a bucket of water to clean the
entire car. NEVER use dishwashing liquid, as it strips all the wax off your
car. Check the bottle for directions. After you wet down the entire car, use
a washing mitt or sponge and start cleaning the roof. Don't use old rags,
because they often leave hairline scratches in your car's finish. It is
important to start from the top and work down so that dirty water won't run
off onto the panels you just cleaned. Clean one panel at a time and rinse it
off so that soap doesn't dry onto the car. Also, use just enough water
pressure to get the suds off. Repeat until the entire car is clean. Cleaning Wheels and Tires: When your
wheels and tires are cool to the touch, start by thoroughly rinsing them
down. Next, spray one tire and wheel with a good quality cleaner and work it
into the crevices with a soft bristled brush. Only clean one at a time to
avoid drying of the cleaner. Last, thoroughly rinse the wheel. Repeat with
the remaining wheels. Cleaning Bugs and Tar: Bugs and tar
tend to build up on the lower body sides, the leading edge and the
windshield. Apply a little bug and tar cleaner to the bug sponge and rub it
onto these areas to remove the debris. Drying the Car: Use a damp chamois
or soft terry cloth towel (preferably just out of the washer) and remove
excess water from the entire car. Start at the roof and work down to the
lower panels. Waxing the Car: Remove the car from
direct sunlight. Wait for the car to cool. Start by wetting the wax
applicator, often included with the can of wax. Next, put the wax on the
applicator and frame out the area where you want to apply it. Then, fill in the
middle portion. This way, you can avoid getting wax into the seams and jambs.
Wax one panel of the car at at time. After a few minutes, the wax will have
dried to a dull haze. Wiping in one direction, use a clean terrycloth to
remove the film of wax. Use a polishing cloth (preferably a clean cloth
diaper) buff in the opposite direction to a high shine. After you've done one
panel, turn both towels to an unused section and start on the next panel.
Repeat until you've completed the entire vehicle. --------------- When it comes to upholstery
cleaning, don't forget to always match the cleaning product to the surface on
which it's going to be used. If you have cloth or velour upholstery, a foam
cleaner can work very well. You can also use it on your carpets and floormats. However, leather interiors require
special care. Leather seats can crack and age quickly, like a pair of shoes.
A solvent-based cleaner is the wrong type to use and will only speed up the
aging process. That's why you must use only specifically-designed leather
cleaners on your leather seats. A good interior protectant is
especially useful for the many vinyl and leather portions of the car's
interior. Not only do they provide protection from dirt and grime, as well as
the sun's harmful rays, but they also offer an attractive shine. Floor mats are also very important
to interior maintenance. They protect your vehicle's carpet from spills,
stains, dirt and wear. Finally, finish your interior
cleaning job with some glass cleaner on the windows and maybe a good air
freshener. |