When detailing a car, hand washing is a crucial step. Properly hand washing a car will remove all of the dirt and grim from your car without creating those notorious swirls. When it comes to professionally detailing your car, a good old hand wash is at the center. This may intimidate you. Don’t let it though. You don’t have to have a degree from the Auto Detailing University to pull it off. All that it takes is a few good products and a little know how.
Going to the local automatic carwash on the other hand will give you tons of swirls and scratch marks. I know what you may be thinking. “I really don’t have the time to detail my car.” And you may not be able to afford to have a car detailing business wash your car on a regular business. That may or may not be your case. Either way, you really should be informed about the difference between the automatic wash and the beloved by auto detailers hand wash.
As we said before, automatic washes scratch your car. The brushes from the wash scratch your paint using the dirt that was on the cars that were washed before your’s and the dirt that is being “washed” off of your car. The automatic brushless car wash is also harmful though. The harsh chemicals from this wash will dry out your paint and plastic while removing any wax you may have on your car. Plus, people get their car wheels scratch all of the time from the tracks that move your car through the wash. Properly hand washing your car is actually very easy though.
Here are the tools you will need:
- 3-5 gallon bucket
- A car specific wash mitt -Car wash soap
- Drying towel (microfiber)
- Wheel cleaner
- Wheel brushes
- Tire shine
All of the products should come with proper directions as to how to wash your car. One quick note to you is that you should stay far away from the old shammy that was once used by the Kansas City auto detailing industry. Also, the professional detailer will tell you that you don’t have to put a lot elbow grease into washing or drying your car. Auto detailing and hand washing is about being as gentle with your car as possible.
Now you know and you can’t say that no one told you. Of course, flossing your teeth twice a day is ideal but who does that as often as they should? Happy hand washing!
Auto Detailing Headquarters 