I know, you are probably having a chuckle right about now and thinking "If you don't know how to wash a car, there is no hope for you!!!"
And that may be true to some respect for the quicky-fast wash!! But many people are unfamiliar of what actually IS the best way to wash your everyday driver. And with that said, I thought perhaps a topic for some general pointers can be helpful here.
As some folks here may know, I used to have a small detailing business long ago, contracting work with local dealers and body shops. I have owned a few customized autos in the past as well. The product line I traditionally used over the years past was Zymol. Pricey, and difficult to use and difficult to find most of their stuff, but I was hooked from day one with most of their line and it's results. I still use several of their products today on the Santy.
With that said, they have instructions on several car-care/detailing topics which have been used as a sort of gospel for auto detailing across the globe! And thought it not a bad idea to share the info with the forum to get the best shine and detail from our Santa Fe's. Some items are time consuming, but even if you pick up a couple pointers here and there, it has served it's purpose!!
Here goes:
Tools you will need:
5 gallon clean bucket
water hose capable of reaching around the car
non-silicone wash sponge
2 oz. natural 'soap' not detergent
real or synthetic Chamois
2 clean Microwipes
---The most important thing to be aware of when preparing to wash your car is the temperature of the area being washed. This is even more important than the ambient temperature, which should be between 50o and 80o F. If the car has been in the sun for any time, it should be brought into the shade and allowed to cool off before dousing it with water.
---In addition, on recently driven cars, the brakes will be very hot, and if cold water gets onto the brake discs, they could warp. So get your car out of the garage and onto a flat, paved surface that is out of direct sunlight. Sunlight, as you know, turns drops of water into tiny lenses, burning the paint under them.
---VERY IMPORTANT: Remove your watch, rings, keys and bracelets. Be alert to belt buckles, zippers and rivets on jeans. One slip can be a costly scratch or dent.
---Start the washing process by using the hose with a fine spray to fill your bucket with 2 ounces for car wash 'soap' and 5 gallons of cool water. Do not use cold water in summer or hot water in winter as the sudden temperature shock will damage your car's finish.
---Drop your sponge into the water for later use and begin rinsing the car from top to bottom with your hose. Use a medium pressure. Do not use a compressor driven power washer. High speed (pressure) water can lift paint and/or propel small stones at high speed across your paint or even worse, into your paint. During this first process do not wash below the midline (belt line) of your car.
---Using the soap soaked sponge, apply a heavy coating of soap suds (by squeezing the sponge) to a small area of the roof you can easily reach without moving your feet and lightly wipe the panels with your bare hand as you rinse it off. This assures you that there is no sand or dirt stuck to the car's surface that might be unknowingly picked up later by your sponge or towel.
---Now, rinse the entire car!
This entire car rinsing should take place every time you wash anything on the car. This constant irrigation keeps the surface wet and does not let errant soap suds dry anywhere.
---Start the actual washing by using the soap filled sponge on the section you just 'hand washed' of the roof, and then rinse the entire car. Finish the other side of the roof, and then wash all the windows, lifting the wipers and working all the way down to the cowl. Remember to keep rinsing.
---After the roof, then work on the bonnet (hood). Washing one side, rinsing the entire car then wash the other side and rinse the car again. Follow up with doing the boot (trunk) the same way.
---After this is complete, work the entire upper portion of one side of your car, one panel at a time. Now is a good idea to empty the soap bucket after you finish with the horizontal and upper vertical surfaces, then start with fresh soap for the lower sides. Please, use a drain; dont just dump the soapy water onto the ground. Even though zyml products are environmentally safe, the dirt you remove from the car often is not.
---Finish the wash sequence with the lower portions, including bumpers, grille and taillights. If this is the first time the car will receive the zyml treatment, remove the license plates and the brackets to be sure the areas behind them will be properly prepared.
---Chamois or synthetic shammy, push water off of the car.
****DO NOT USE THE CHAMOIS TO DRY THE CAR.****
Chamois will remove wax and possibly scratch your car if used when almost dry and with a high amount of friction.
----Next, gently dry your car using 100% un-sized cotton towels or non-polyester microwipes being sure to open the bonnet, boot and all doors to dry up collected water in body drainage areas, door jams and sills.
----This paint wash process is more work but your car will clean easier and look better. Remember you are the expert and... its your car!
And that may be true to some respect for the quicky-fast wash!! But many people are unfamiliar of what actually IS the best way to wash your everyday driver. And with that said, I thought perhaps a topic for some general pointers can be helpful here. As some folks here may know, I used to have a small detailing business long ago, contracting work with local dealers and body shops. I have owned a few customized autos in the past as well. The product line I traditionally used over the years past was Zymol. Pricey, and difficult to use and difficult to find most of their stuff, but I was hooked from day one with most of their line and it's results. I still use several of their products today on the Santy.
With that said, they have instructions on several car-care/detailing topics which have been used as a sort of gospel for auto detailing across the globe! And thought it not a bad idea to share the info with the forum to get the best shine and detail from our Santa Fe's. Some items are time consuming, but even if you pick up a couple pointers here and there, it has served it's purpose!!
Here goes:Tools you will need:
5 gallon clean bucket
water hose capable of reaching around the car
non-silicone wash sponge
2 oz. natural 'soap' not detergent
real or synthetic Chamois
2 clean Microwipes
---The most important thing to be aware of when preparing to wash your car is the temperature of the area being washed. This is even more important than the ambient temperature, which should be between 50o and 80o F. If the car has been in the sun for any time, it should be brought into the shade and allowed to cool off before dousing it with water.
---In addition, on recently driven cars, the brakes will be very hot, and if cold water gets onto the brake discs, they could warp. So get your car out of the garage and onto a flat, paved surface that is out of direct sunlight. Sunlight, as you know, turns drops of water into tiny lenses, burning the paint under them.
---VERY IMPORTANT: Remove your watch, rings, keys and bracelets. Be alert to belt buckles, zippers and rivets on jeans. One slip can be a costly scratch or dent.
---Start the washing process by using the hose with a fine spray to fill your bucket with 2 ounces for car wash 'soap' and 5 gallons of cool water. Do not use cold water in summer or hot water in winter as the sudden temperature shock will damage your car's finish.
---Drop your sponge into the water for later use and begin rinsing the car from top to bottom with your hose. Use a medium pressure. Do not use a compressor driven power washer. High speed (pressure) water can lift paint and/or propel small stones at high speed across your paint or even worse, into your paint. During this first process do not wash below the midline (belt line) of your car.
---Using the soap soaked sponge, apply a heavy coating of soap suds (by squeezing the sponge) to a small area of the roof you can easily reach without moving your feet and lightly wipe the panels with your bare hand as you rinse it off. This assures you that there is no sand or dirt stuck to the car's surface that might be unknowingly picked up later by your sponge or towel.
---Now, rinse the entire car!
This entire car rinsing should take place every time you wash anything on the car. This constant irrigation keeps the surface wet and does not let errant soap suds dry anywhere.
---Start the actual washing by using the soap filled sponge on the section you just 'hand washed' of the roof, and then rinse the entire car. Finish the other side of the roof, and then wash all the windows, lifting the wipers and working all the way down to the cowl. Remember to keep rinsing.
---After the roof, then work on the bonnet (hood). Washing one side, rinsing the entire car then wash the other side and rinse the car again. Follow up with doing the boot (trunk) the same way.
---After this is complete, work the entire upper portion of one side of your car, one panel at a time. Now is a good idea to empty the soap bucket after you finish with the horizontal and upper vertical surfaces, then start with fresh soap for the lower sides. Please, use a drain; dont just dump the soapy water onto the ground. Even though zyml products are environmentally safe, the dirt you remove from the car often is not.
---Finish the wash sequence with the lower portions, including bumpers, grille and taillights. If this is the first time the car will receive the zyml treatment, remove the license plates and the brackets to be sure the areas behind them will be properly prepared.
---Chamois or synthetic shammy, push water off of the car.
****DO NOT USE THE CHAMOIS TO DRY THE CAR.****
Chamois will remove wax and possibly scratch your car if used when almost dry and with a high amount of friction.
----Next, gently dry your car using 100% un-sized cotton towels or non-polyester microwipes being sure to open the bonnet, boot and all doors to dry up collected water in body drainage areas, door jams and sills.
----This paint wash process is more work but your car will clean easier and look better. Remember you are the expert and... its your car!
-Edge
Changing the world, one Santa Fe at a time!!
Changing the world, one Santa Fe at a time!!
