1.  Always use a mild commercial car wash soap.  You can purchase it from any auto parts store, dealership or the automotive section of a large retail store, such as Wal-Mart or Target.  My personal preference for soap is Gold Class, however you can try any brand you’d like.  Just remember never to use kitchen soap or any kind of liquid detergent on your vehicle otherwise you could ruin your paint.

2.  Before you begin washing the car, check for pre wash areas. Look for any debris such as tar and dried bugs especially on the lower body panels, front end and hood.  Once you’ve determined that these areas need extra attention, you’ll want to use some type of solvent made especially for removing these remains.  You can try a product like Bug Off especially for this.  It’s always best to use these products before you begin washing, however you should always consult the product’s listed instructions.

3.  Once you’re ready to wash, make sure you do it in the shade.  First, you want to soak the entire body of the car in water for a couple minutes.  While it’s soaking, you can clean the under body, fenders and any other hard to access areas.  After you’re done with these areas, you can use a wash mitt or sponge with the soap and water mix all over the vehicle.  You’ll want to work from the roof down. After all the dirt and spots have been cleaned, you’ll want to rinse the entire car then use a chamois to dry it.  Avoid letting your car air dry as it causes water spots. Once you’re  completely done, you can always pull out some wax and give it an even brighter shine.

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