| Car Washing 101 |
26 Jan |
Cleaning a car is a piece of cake, right?
It is if you follow the procedures suggested by the Car Care Council. While it’s the most basic procedure in car care, it does require some thought.
Research shows that 52 percent of American car owners wash their cars less than once a month, with 15 percent never washing their cars. An estimated 37 million cars smell because of interior garbage, according to a consumer survey conducted by the International Carwash Association.
To get started, you must have the right supplies for the job:
* finish-safe wheel cleaner;
* a soft brush;
* a 3- to 5-gallon bucket;
* liquid car-washing detergent;
* a hose with pistol-grip nozzle, if possible;
* car-washing mitts or soft all-cotton towels;
* several all-cotton towels or synthetic chamois for drying.
Give the car a good rinsing from top to bottom, including the wheels and inside the fenders. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body, and don’t use the same mitt for both. This way you’ll avoid contaminating the vehicle’s paint with debris from the wheels and tires.
Use a good tire cleaner with a stiff brush to improve the appearance of your tires. Next, clean the wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes the brake dust, which often blackens the front wheels.
To wash the body, use a product sold specifically for automobiles; household cleaners can strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish. Starting at the top, wash one section at a time, thoroughly rinsing away the soap before moving on to the next section. Work your way down toward the front, sides and rear of the vehicle.
To rinse, start at the top, and let the water cascade down the surfaces of the vehicle. To avoid water spotting, dry with a chamois or similar product.
Then follow up by waxing, which not only protects the finish but also makes subsequent washing easier. Before proceeding, use a car cleaner to remove contaminants embedded in the paint.
Once the surface is clean, apply the wax, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers.
Tags: American Car Owners, Brake Dust, Car Care Council, Consumer Survey, Cotton Towels, Fenders, Gallon Bucket, Household Cleaners, International Carwash Association, Million Cars, Nozzle, Piece Of Cake, Pistol Grip, Start At The Top, Stiff Brush, Synthetic Chamois, Thought Research, Washing Detergent, Water Cascade, Wheels And TiresRelated posts
read comments (0)| 6 Must Have Auto Accessories |
12 Nov |
Buying a new car is an experience that few will ever forget: the smell, the pristine interior, and the flawless ride are some of the things enjoyed by new car owners. Yet, despite how well equipped even the most expensive cars can be, oftentimes they leave the showroom with several accessories missing. No, they werent stolen; instead, for some queer reason these must have accessories were not included with the sale. Lets take a look at six accessories every vehicle should have.
Floor mats You have got to be kiddingno floor mats?! Oddly, floor mats are the chief accessory typically not included with any sale. Instead, you get a throwaway paper sheet for the driver. Without floor mats in place you can bet that the interior will be soiled in short order. Worse, if you wait too long your carpeting could be damaged which is especially bad news for you if you lease your vehicle. Just wait til you see the price of replacing damaged automotive carpeting!
Cargo liners Like the interior, the cars trunk area is subject to dirt, debris, mud, the elements, and more. Some automakers have wised up over the years and included cargo liners as standard equipment while others make a cargo liner an expensive add-on, after-the-sale accessory for buyers.
Bug shields If you live in a humid climate, a bug shield is a must. No automaker offers one as standard equipment; if you want to protect your hood and windshield a bug shield is a must. Also marketed as bug deflectors.
Car bra Sure, they are stylish, but a car bra is much more than that. Offering protection to your grille and to the front part of your hood, a car bra can help deflect debris kicked up from the road. Who hasnt come across that sort of problem while traversing our interstates?
Brake dust shields No, there isnt a safety aspect with a dust shield, but there certainly are aesthetic reasons why they make sense. You spent a lot for your tires and wheels, so why go through the hassle of a weekly cleaning just to keep your car looking great? Dust shields limit the dust so that you can do what you really want to do: drive.
Car cover Whether you keep your car garaged or whether you leave it outside, a car cover is essential toward protecting your vehicles finish. Indoor air pollution and dust can damage a garaged vehicle; solar rays, moisture, bird poop, wind, and small impacts can damage exposed vehicles. For less than $200 you can buy a four layer, breathable car cover that will offer the protection your car so desperately needs.
So, there you have it. Six essential auto accessories for every vehicle. Youll pay a mint for each accessory if you let your dealer add them in after the sale, so why not shop online with Car Stuff to find everything you need for your car and for less?
Tags: Aesthetic Reasons, Auto Accessories, Automaker, Automakers, Brake Dust, Bug Shield, Bug Shields, Buying A New Car, Car Owners, Cargo Liner, Cargo Liners, Carpeting, Dust Shield, Dust Shields, Expensive Cars, Floor Mats, Humid Climate, Interstates, Safety Aspect, Trunk AreaRelated posts
