It's pollen season again, and the cars are crying out for some TLC. So grab your sponge and bucket, a hose with a shutoff nozzle, and get to work. We recently talked to Michael Deddo, a senior research chemist for Turtle Wax, for some advice on car washing.
What is the best way to maintain our cars?
Whether you have a new car or an old car, you have to address all surfaces, both exterior and interior. And that includes starting from the ground up with your wheels and tires all the way to your body finish, including your exterior glass.
For wheels and tires, we would always recommend a high-quality wheel and tire cleaner, one that helps remove brake dust and keep that brake dust (off) because sometimes it begins to actually pit and corrode the rims over time.
Can't we just use dishwashing detergent and water?
Those products are formulated to have the tough grease-cutting capabilities that are associated with dirty dishes, where today's modern carwashes are more gentle so they don't strip that protective layer of wax that you spent time putting on. They're such effective cleaners that all you do is negate all the work that you did previously.
How often should we wash our cars?
For the average person, I would say every one to two weeks, depending on where you drive and how it's stored. Being in a hotter climate with more intense UV radiation, I would recommend waxing a minimum of three to four times a year. When you wash your car and the water fails to bead or pull away from the surface, it's time to reapply some protective barrier.
What happens if we don't take care of the finish?
Over time, the paint will begin to oxidize and lose that shiny appearance. Wax or detail spray is basically the sacrificial barrier between the clear-coat finish - or if you have an older car, the actual paint itself - and the environment.
Is it okay to use a high-pressure washer?
Two reasons why you want to stay away from high-pressure wash: No. 1 is if your car is very dirty, depending on the angle of the high-pressure stream, when it hits the surface, you're actually forcing the dirt back into the finish.
And when it comes to wheels and even paint, if you hit a rust spot and you hit it with high-pressure water, all of a sudden a big piece blows off.
If you keep your car well-maintained, a gentle stream of water will take a majority of the dirt off and all you'll need is a gentle washing with a sponge or a mitt to remove the remaining dirt.
What's the best way to combat bugs?
A very durable wax. Paste waxes are more durable that liquid waxes. Give frequent washings so the bugs don't stay on the paint. I also recommend keeping a bottle of detail spray and some microfiber or cotton cloth in the car, so when you get to your destination, you can spend one or two minutes just spraying down and wiping it out.
How do we deal with glass?
First is the type of towel you use. I always recommend a lint-free cloth, specifically microfibers. They do an excellent job of helping to clean the glass.
It also depends on what kind of glass-cleaning product you're using. ... And do not do it in direct sunlight, and make sure that the glass is cool.
You should clean interior glass every two weeks. ... A lot of times, if you let it go too long, it might need multiple applications to get it really clear.
What if your car has some rust on it? How do you wash it?
I'd be careful when you're washing it, that when the sponge or mitt hits it, that you don't pick off a piece of the rust and drag it onto the rest of the paint. You need to be adamant about washing out wheel wells. That's where rust usually starts. It's okay to rinse out the bottom of your car. Take the hose and spray underneath it. Undercarriage care is just as important as exterior care.
Any last words of advice?
It shouldn't be a chore. Look at it as protecting your investment. People spend time cleaning the house. Your car is usually the second largest purchase that you make. I think people who do take care of their cars see more years of satisfaction out of it.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service www.scrippsnews.com)
Must credit St. Petersburg Times
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