- enough water. If the dirt is removed with insufficient water, then small particles of dust and sand can get on the sponge and form small scratches on the paintwork surface;
- a garden hose with a nozzle or at least two buckets of water;
- a hose-brush that washes away dirt with a stream of water. If you are using wash gloves or a sponge, keep the hose close to the area to be treated so that more water reaches the area to be cleaned. After every second or third wipe, completely immerse washing gloves or a sponge in a bucket of water and wring out so that dirt does not accumulate in the pile or pores;
- a brush with a long handle for cleaning hard-to-reach places - rims and wheel arches;
- a sponge with large pores;
- sponge for removing insects from glass;
- a large piece of natural suede for drying;
- buckets for washing with car shampoo or rinsing a special suede cloth for glasses.
Exterior car wash
Car shampoo. Helps to easily remove oil stains from the paintwork.
Protective car shampoo. It has the properties of a car shampoo, but after drying it protects the paintwork and prolongs the period of the next polishing.
Cap cleaner. Removes dust marks from brake pads.
Means for the care of surfaces made of artificial materials. Especially for faded bumpers. Along with substances for care contains dyes. Apply and spread with a clean sponge. Residues are removed with a soft cloth.
Sequence of work
1. Close all doors and windows.
2. Clean wheel arches, caps and sills. Remove the remaining dirt in two steps.
3. Rinse the bottom with a jet of steam or water. In winter, be sure to clean off the dirt before washing your car. It is recommended to lift the machine once or twice a year and inspect the condition of the underbody protection.
Pic. 3.5. Wheel hub cleaning
4. The steel rims of the front wheels need to be cleaned more often, as there is a greater amount of crumbs from the brake linings formed during braking. Clean the wheel covers with a special tool. Caps will last longer if you remove dirt from hard-to-reach places with a sponge before washing (pic. 3.5). First remove adhering dirt with a small sponge, then wash the hoods with high pressure water.
The aluminum caps have a protective lacquer coating. However, if you hit a curb or other obstacle with a cap, then even super varnish will not help you. Scratches must be repaired immediately, otherwise they will fill up very quickly with aggressive dust from the brake pads. Grey-black dust corrodes small holes in light metal. Treat small scratches and abrasions with aluminum polishing paste.
5. Light metal caps should be washed regularly with water and detergent. Aluminum hoods are very sensitive to concentrated detergents. Wash them twice a month and they will last you longer.
6. Toothbrushes will make it easier for you to clean complex-shaped caps. It would also be appropriate to use protective drugs. Dust from brake pads and dirt will not penetrate through the layer of protective preparation.
Attention! The protective preparation must not get on the brake pads or discs.
Wash your car properly
7. Spray the vehicle with a strong hose. At the sink, this is the mode «rinsing» when washing with high pressure water.
8. Using a hose with a brush, a sponge or washing mitts, wash the car from the roof to the bottom edge of the windows.
9. Spread the cleaning foam in a circular motion with slight pressure. Let the foam act on the surfaces for a short time.
10. Wash off dirt with a hose. Washing is normal «rinsing».
11. At the last rinse, clean the wheels with a hose with a brush.
12. After washing, wipe the car with a suede cloth, otherwise the dried water will form gray deposits on the paintwork.
Pic. 3.6. Wiping the car with a suede cloth
13. Then immerse the suede cloth completely in water, rinse well, wring it out, spread it on the hood and pull it towards you over the varnished surface (pic. 3.6).
14. After each such operation, rinse the suede cloth well and wring it out. Wipe hard-to-reach corners with a cotton rag or an old suede cloth, save a new one - the remaining dirt will ruin it.
Take care of the cleanliness of the glasses
15. When cleaning the outside of the windows, proceed in the same way as when cleaning the inside. Check the windshield for stone marks and scratches.
16. Wipe the wiper blades with dry suede.
Pic. 3.7. headlight cleaning
17. After washing, check the paintwork, headlight glass and front bumper - if there is any dirt left. Wipe your headlights well (pic. 3.7), using soapy water. If a simple soap solution does not help, use a special tool. Insects, bird droppings, pollen and traces of heavy oils and additives must always be removed.
Pic. 3.8. Scheme of deflection and absorption of the headlight beam by dirt particles: 1 - clean headlights (maximum illuminated length, no decrease in intensity); 2 - dirty headlights (limitation of the length of the illuminated area, lower brightness)
18. Heavy oil and additive remover should not be applied to paintwork - it contains solvents.
Headlight cleaning
Headlight glass needs to be cleaned more often than the car body. Dirt particles on the glass can shield and absorb light rays, resulting in reduced illuminating distance and reduced headlamp brightness. Already after an hour of driving on a wet road, headlights are 60% dirty. At the same time, the length of the illuminated area is reduced by 35 m - a distance that is always lacking during emergency braking. The scheme of deflection and absorption of the light flux by dirt particles is shown in fig. 3.8.