DIY Car Wash

Hi Drivers!

Spring is coming and it's likely your desire to boot around town and zip down the highway in a sparkly clean car is heightened. Of course you could always book your detailing appointment through Winston Auto Group but if the sun is out and you feel like getting out there and burning some of those winter calories while enjoying the weather here are some tips.


De-clutter first! If you're anything like me your car is part of your home-office and child-care centre with bits of paper, Kleenex boxes, empty water bottles etc.. Even a fairly clean car can have more clutter than you're aware of. Open up that glove compartment and all those other little drawers and pockets and pull everything out. You don't want to waste your whole day figuring out where to put those pens and paper scraps so unless something is obvious just bring a large plastic bag and throw everything in - you can sort it later.

Don't use dish soap! Dish soap is made to scrub your greasy dishes - not your car. Regular use on your car will break down the shine on your paint job. Use Car soap - it's really not that expensive and you can find it at Canadian Tire.

Keep your cloth in the bucket! Don't drop your wash clothes on the ground - not even on the grass. Small stones or bits of debris that you may not notice with your eye can cause heartbreaking scratches if trapped in the folds of your cloth. If you need to put your cloth down drop it back in your water bucket.

Clean wheels are like the white teeth of a smile! Don't forget to scrub those alloys or hubcaps. That black stuff inside the spokes of your hubcaps is break dust - if your wash cloth isn't getting it out - use a toothbrush (or you can splurge on a tire brush). But trust me nice clean wheels will go a long way in making your car look like new.

Rinse, Rinse, Rinse!! Ladies you use toner on your face to rinse away debris, most of us wouldn't consider eating off of soapy dishes the same should hold true for your car. How many times have you washed your car only to have it look grey or spotty as soon as the sun comes out. Chances are you didn't rinse it enough and what you're seeing is soap and or dirty water residue. When you're done washing rinse and rinse again!

Another use for your pastry brush! Now it's time to vacuum but how do you get into those little crevasses around the gear shift and e-brake? Hold your vacuum nozzle as close to the spot as you can get - then gentle sweep at the debris with your pastry brush. You'll be amazed how much more you can pick up.

Happy Driving!