Car Care & Auto Detailing Blog

Car professionals and enthusiasts know that a pressure-washer car wash beats out any other standard car cleaning. Drive-through car washes accumulate a heavy amount of dirt, grime, and other contaminants on their bristles which then transfer onto your car. These washes do not properly clean your car and pose risks of damaging the body, coat, and tires. When you wash your car with a pressure washer, you greatly reduce your chances of spending time, energy, and money on potential car repairs. 

If you’re wondering how to use a pressure washer for car detailing, rest assured because CleanTools has all the information you need and the products to help make it happen. 

Pressure Washing VS Power Washing

Before continuing on power washer best practices, it is a common misconception that power washing and pressure washing are the same thing. These are two different car washing methods. A power washer or jet-spray car wash uses heated water, and a pressure washer uses cold water. 

Snow Foaming Your Car 

One of the most essential first steps in the car washing process is snow-foaming your car. Snow foam is a pre-wash agent that is typically used with a specialized sprayer called a foam cannon that works by connecting to a pressure washer. Basically, you spray a foamed detergent on the car to remove the first layer of dirt and grime before washing and scrubbing. This is a huge step in car washing because it significantly reduces the risk of swirl marks or scratches on the clear coat of a vehicle. 

Follow these basic steps on how to use a pressure washer foam cannon:

1. Rinse the car.
2. Spray the snow foam onto the car using a foam cannon attached to a pressure washer.
3. Let the foam sit on the car for a couple of minutes or however long is recommended to break down the dirt and grime. 
4. Rinse down the car with water.
5. Now you can wash and scrub the car using a car shampoo and a Premium Wash Mitt.

Tip: The best pressure washer for a foam cannon is one that produces at least 1.5 GPM (gallons per minute) and 1100 PSI (pounds per square inch).

Car-Safe Scrubbing Methods

The best way to safely scrub the exterior of your car is with a sponge or wash mitt and a power washer soap solution. CleanTools offers a unique, non-abrasive wool blend wash mitt that gently removes dirt and soil. When you’re scrubbing your car in the washing process, make sure you avoid scrubbing in a circular motion to prevent swirls. It's best practice to rinse the wash mitt in a bucket of clean water after each use to clean off any dirt and grime left on it. 

Rinse Your Car With Care

Rinsing your car in the car washing setup is one of the most important and frequent steps. To properly do this, you will need a spot-free rinse for your pressure washer. Rinsing will save you time when washing and help prevent any swirls or scratches when scrubbing. If you’re working in hot weather, make sure you rinse the car even more frequently to avoid water spots. Once you’re done rinsing, dry the car with a super absorbent, scratch-free towel. 

Pressure Wash Your Car With CleanTools

Washing your car with a pressure washer is one of the most effective ways to clean your car to avoid paint and coat damage. It’s easy to use and can reach under the car to clean all the nooks and crannies that regular car washes can’t. You don’t have to be a car lover to want your car to look its best and avoid future costly repairs. Give your car an outstanding cleaning using a pressure washer with top-of-the-line products by CleanTools. 

Have you ever gotten into your car and noticed a new scratch appear? You don’t know how it got there and tried to avoid it from happening at every turn. Maintaining your vehicle exterior is a challenge for everyone and you shouldn’t feel alone in what to do.

If you’re unsure as to how to remove scuff marks from your car or want to know ways to prevent it from happening, here’s what you need to know.   

Causes of Scratches and Paintwork Damage

Unfortunately, a nick in the paint can happen at any point for many reasons, such as: 

Car washes are very convenient in being located all around to quickly wash and dry your car, but can cause long-term damage. The large rollers are not soft or absorbent—they collect dirt in the bristles, which can leave scratches and swirls on your car. 

Sometimes nature can be unruly and if you’re not careful, a stray branch could be the reason for a scratch on top or the side of your car. 

This one might be more obvious, but hitting a curb or parking barrier could cause a chip, scratch, or even dent in your car. 

Hail is a notorious offender in scratching your vehicle. You should also be cautious about removing snow from your car, as the ice scrapers can scratch your paint—we recommend using a de-icer instead. 

Even if all precautions are taken, there is still the possibility of a random rock flying from the road that cracks your windshield or grazes the paint. 

Water contains trace amounts of minerals like calcium, iron, salt, and other pollutants. When water evaporates from your vehicle’s surface, these contaminants are left behind to bake into the surface. The longer they sit, the more they bond and eat away at the clear coat. 

Which Products and Compounds Can Help To Remove Scratches?

Many options in products and compounds help to remove scratches and scraps from your vehicle, but finding the right one can be difficult. Remember, though, that the best scratch remover is to prevent them from happening in the first place—you can do that with the best car cleaning products from CleanTools.  

Car Scratch Remover Kit

Kits to remove or repair scratches is the go-to method for most people. They contain everything you need, including scratch removal polish and paste, touch-up paint, and buffers. 

Car Scratch Remover Pen

This type of scratch remover is a pen filled with a clear coat of resin which is the same material as the topcoat of a vehicle paint job. When you apply the pen, the resin fills in the gap of the scratch and removes it. 

Deep Car Scratch Remover

If the scratch on your car is too deep, particularly down to the bare metal, then you may need to take it in and have someone professionally remove it. 

Car Scratch Remover Spray

Sprays that promise to remove scratches will only work if they’re shallow, and aren't as effective when it comes to buffing and getting out deep scratches. 

CleanTools Buffing Ball

These Buffing Balls are great for removing oxidation and light scratches from headlights, taillights, and plastic windshields. They are also easy to use with a hex-shaped metal shaft that attaches to any electric or air drill. 

Interior Scratch Remover Car

If you have more scratches inside your car than outside, make sure you get the right scratch-removal products since most cars' interior is made of plastic. 

Black Car Wax

If you have a black or dark-colored car, you can use black car wax for scratches. Unlike regular wax that fills in the scratch, black wax doesn’t leave any white residue. 

How Does a Scratch Remover Compound Work?

A scratch remover compound has very fine abrasives in it to smooth the scratch on the car and blend the coat to give it a smooth-looking finish. These “abrasives” are micro and are similar to what’s found in toothpaste. 

Ways to Prevent Your Car from Swirls and Light Scratches

Preventing your car from scrapes and swirls is key to keeping your car looking sleek and brand-new. To do this, keep these tips in mind:

Washing Your Car Properly

With products like  Wash Mitt, you can feel confident about washing off dirt and grime with no risk of scratching your vehicle from particles stuck in the Wash Mitt, unlike other rags or wash mitts. After you wash your car, make sure it gets the best dry possible with The Absorber, our super-absorbent and soft drying tool. 

Polishing Your Car

Polishing your car greatly benefits in reducing and removing scratches. Not only that, polishing your car: 

• Decontaminates the paintwork that cleaners alone can't remove.
• Helps with paint correction and restores fading paint. 
• Enhances gloss, shine, and color rejuvenation. 

Prevent and Remove Scratches From Your Car With CleanTools

Clear coat is your car’s first line of defense against damage. It protects your color coat from wear and tear, and it protects the metal body of your car from being exposed and vulnerable to rust and corrosion. If you don’t maintain your protective layer of clear coat, damage will only spread and require more intensive repairs.

If your clear coat has sustained damage, here’s everything you need to know about repairing it.

What Causes Damage to Clear Coat?

• Physical abrasions: Dings and scratches can take out chips of clear coat—like when a rock flies up from the road and hits your car.

• UV radiation: The sun causes slow, cumulative damage to clear coat over years by heating up layers of paint and causing them to separate.

• Exposure to chemicals: Bugs, tree sap, gasoline, and other substances can break down your clear coat.
• Improper application: Poor application of clear coat will cause it to chip and peel faster than it should.

Items You Need for Clear Coat Repair

• Car wash supplies: soap, wash mitt, and absorbent towels
• Sandpaper or automotive Scotch-Brite
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Automotive clear coat spray paint
• Masking tape
• Buffer & wax

How To Repair Clear Coat on a Car

1. Prep Area

If you haven’t washed the car in a while, you should do so. If it’s fairly clean, just wash the panel you’ll be working on and adjacent areas.

Use masking tape to cover the edges of any adjacent panels that won’t be resprayed with clear coat. Make sure the tape goes inside the panel gap, but don’t let it contact the panel you’re going to repair—otherwise, you may accidentally peel your new clear coat when you remove the tape.

1. Remove Peeling or Damaged Clear Coat

Use fine automotive Scotch-Brite to rub the most damaged areas first. Use light to medium pressure and try to knock off all the peeling flakes. If the color coat is exposed, use very light pressure and focus on the borders.

You can also use fine sandpaper. Start with 1500 grit and go up or down, depending on the hardness of the specific clear coat.

Don’t scrape with a razor blade or anything hard enough to scratch through the clear coat because you can create deep scratches that will require more repair.

1. Create Blend Zones

After removing all peeling clear coat and scuffing the repair area, create a blend zone extending about 3-4 inches in every direction. Use the same Scotch-Brite or 2000-grit wet sandpaper and very light pressure to scuff the blend zone so that the new clear coat has a strong foundation to adhere to. Try to make the transition gradual and tapered toward to old clear coat so you have an easier time blending.

1. Clean Area

Rinse the area with water and then wipe with isopropyl alcohol to make sure every bit of dust and debris is removed. Wait until the surface is completely dry before moving on to the next step.

1. Mask the Area

Use masking sheets, plastic foil, old newspapers, or paper towels to cover any adjacent panels you don’t want to spray over.

For the outer edges of the work area, tape a piece of paper so that it covers the work area and ends somewhere in the blend zone, leaving some of the scuffed area on the outside. Then, fold the paper back so you’re left with a soft edge at the border of the work area. This way, it will be easier to blend in the new and old clear coats when you’re done respraying.

1. Apply Clear Coat

Read the manufacturer’s instructions before applying an automotive clear coat. There should be information about:

• How to mix in the hardener
• How many coats you need to apply
• What flash time to wait before applying the next coat
• How far to keep the spray nozzle from the surface
• How fast to move the can

It’s important to follow the instructions on your specific clear coat, but here are some general instructions to follow.

Shake the can thoroughly for a few minutes, release the hardener, and shake again. Put an appropriate mask or respirator on, and then spray for a couple of seconds to make sure the nozzle works well.

Hold the nozzle about 8 inches from the work area and add a light to medium coat, overlapping your strokes by 30-40%. Make sure you’re going back and forth and release the button before you finish your stroke. Keep your hand moving at all times.

Slow movement is always better than more product. Go lighter rather than heavier to avoid running and dripping.

Spray two to three coats and give them 10 minutes of flash time in between. When you’re done, leave the car overnight and inspect your results the next morning.

1. Blend & Polish

After the clear coat has hardened, remove the masking tape, and be careful not to strip away the new clear coat you just applied.

On the borders of the work area, there will be an obvious line separating the fresh clear coat from the rest of the panel. Use 2000-grit wet sandpaper with light pressure, and be sure to keep the area wet. You can go up to 3000 grit and expand the blend zone slightly outward.

Now, polish the transition. Use a rotary polisher on a low-speed setting, with a medium cut pad and compound. Polish in a direction away from the new clear coat so you don’t peel it back. Hold the machine at an angle so the contact is on the narrow edge of the pad. Using no pressure, make individual passes, lifting and starting over from the repair area. Check your results every few minutes and stop when the transition is barely noticeable up close.

Choose CleanTools for All Your Automotive Repair

It’s normal for your car to undergo wear and tear over time. But at a certain point, the wear and tear distracts you from its best features. The good news is a simple cut and buff job will restore your car’s former glory in just one day’s work. If you’re wondering what cut and buff is, we’re here to help. A cut and buff kit will help you get rid of scratched, uneven surfaces with an at-home cut and buff job. Plus, you’ll save time and money by doing it yourself.

A Guide on How to Cut and Buff Car Paint

If you’ve never done a cut and buff job on your car, you’re probably wondering how it works. Here’s a step-by-step guide that walks you through how to cut and buff a clear coat so you get the best results.

1. Prep Your Paint Finish

Give the paint finish a good clean before doing any cutting or buffing. This step will remove dirt, stains, and other debris that would bind to the paint, leaving behind pesky scratches and swirls. If your car has any hard-to-clean spots, you can apply an iron remover to dissolve them, leaving you with a smooth finish.

2. Test Spots

An easy way to determine what type of polish and finishing pad you need is to apply a few test spots of polish to your car. Start with a gentle polish and light finishing pad to avoid removing too much of the clear coat. See how the clear coat reacts, then go from there. If the gentle polish doesn’t get the job done, try a slightly stronger one and compare the results.

3. Cut the Paint With a Cutting Compound

A cutting compound repairs the clear coat on a car by removing scratches and oxidation, exposing the fresh paint layer beneath it. You can apply the compound manually with a pad or by using a polishing machine equipped with a wool pad. Removing the top layer of the clear coat prepares the surface for polishing.

4. Polish in Sections From the Hood Down

Once you reach the polishing stage, start with the roof and work your way down. That way, you can see what areas you’ve already covered and what areas are left. If you opt for a power polisher, move it continuously to eliminate lines and swirls most effectively. If you’re a little more old school and prefer to polish by hand, apply a microfiber towel in circular motions to achieve a smooth finish.

5. Protect the Restored Paint With a Wax Coat

Finally, seal the fresh polish with a layer of wax to protect the new paint from damage and give your car that fresh-off-the-lot feel.

Restore Your Car With Our Best-Selling Detailing Products

We’ve helped customers like you care for their cars the right way since 1980. If you want your car to look as good as new again, we have the products you need to make it happen. From a buffing ball to microfiber detailing cloths, you can find it all at CleanTools. Browse our collection today to find the products you need.

Your car’s wash job isn’t complete without paying some attention to the chrome parts. After all, the chrome glinting in the sun is what catches your eye when you first see a car. The chrome on your rims, door handles, window trim, and other parts needs special maintenance with products designed for it.

The chrome on most modern cars is actually plastic coated with chrome, and you need to be aware of this to avoid damaging it. You don’t want to overdo the polishing or buffing because this will wear away the chrome finish.

Here’s how to polish both plastic and genuine chrome. 

Steps to Polish Chrome & Other Metals

For plastic chrome, you’ll need a car chrome cleaner and mild chrome polish. For genuine chrome, you’ll need a chrome cleaner, a higher-grade chrome polish, and a rotary polisher. For both types, you’ll need a wheel brush and an absorbent cloth.

1) Get Rid of Rust

Before you start the cleaning and polishing process, you need to remove any rust from the metal parts of your car. You can use a ball of foil dipped in either water or vinegar to rub away the rust. If this doesn’t work, you can use a piece of steel wool.

2) Choose the Right Metal Polish

Next, select a professional polishing product designed for the metals on your car. There are all-in-one products that can polish chrome, aluminum, nickel, gold, silver, and stainless steel.

The purpose of metal polish isn’t only to make your chrome shine—it also leaves a protective layer that helps prevent scratches and keeps the chrome clean for longer.

3) Clean the Chrome & Metal

Before polishing, clean all dirt and debris from your car’s chrome trim. Using a polishing compound while there is still dirt on the chrome can damage the finish. 

Start by hosing down the chrome to get rid of any mud or other gunk. 

For the trim on your wheels, apply a chrome cleaner for cars and use a wheel brush to work it in and remove any hard-to-reach dirt. 

As you clean your chrome with the chrome cleaner, work in small sections, and don’t let the cleaner dry on the surface. If you encounter stubborn stains, use some steel wool.

When you’re finished, thoroughly rinse off the chrome cleaner. Then dry the chrome using a clean, absorbent cloth. Not forgetting these two steps will guarantee that no cleaner stains or water spots are left behind.

4) Polish the Chrome & Metal

Use the chrome polish that you picked for your car. Remember, a higher-grade polish and a rotary polisher may be needed to shine genuine chrome. Apply the polish and slowly increase the speed of the polisher until the polish is no longer visible.

For plastic chrome, you can work in a milder polish by hand. Simply apply it and use circular motions to work it in. You can use a soft cloth to do this—you don’t want to use abrasive pads, which can damage the chrome.

Lastly, buff all the areas you polished to seal in the wax from the polishing compound. This wax layer will reduce water staining and oxidation, and it reduces the need for cleaning and polishing.

Polish Chrome Like a Pro With CleanTools

Now that you know the best way to clean and polish the chrome on your car, all you need are the right tools. A soft cloth like The Absorber, a buffing ball, and a chrome polish specially designed for your car will make polishing chrome a breeze.

You know that washing, polishing, and waxing your car is key to keeping it looking brand new, but so is maintaining your car’s plastic trim. 

Plastic trim can become damaged, faded, and oxidized, making your car look older. When it’s time for your car care routine, be sure to give your plastic trim some attention.

All you need for a sparkly clean car from top to bottom is a car plastic polish, a foam pad, a rotary polisher, and a few soft cloths.

Here’s how to polish plastic trim.

Steps to Polish Plastic Car Trim

Wash Your Car

Just like when you’re polishing and waxing the rest of your car, you should start by washing your trim for the best results. A quick wash with mild liquid soap and water will work.

1) Tape Around the Trim

Next, use masking tape to cover all areas surrounding the trim, including glass, paint, metal, and any other surfaces. You don’t want your plastic polishing compound or rotary polisher to touch anything other than the trim.

Place the tape as close to the edge of the trim as possible. Make sure it’s thick enough to provide enough space between the trim and the surface you are protecting, in case the rotary polisher pad slips.

2) Install the Pad

You should use a small foam pad attachment that is two or three inches in diameter to polish your trim since trim is typically narrow.

Using a small pad will make the polisher easier to handle and less likely to disturb the masking tape.

3) Prepare the Polisher

Once you’ve attached the foam pad to your rotary polisher, you can apply the polishing compound to the pad. The best plastic polish is one with a light grit that will not damage the trim or leave a chalky finish.

Protect your hands with gloves, and apply a thin layer of the polish onto the foam pad—you don’t need a lot of product.

4) Apply the Polishing Compound

Using a low to medium speed, apply the plastic polishing compound by placing the foam pad on the plastic trim while the rotary polisher is spinning.

You may need to tilt the pad so it only touches the trim and not the other areas of your car’s exterior. 

Use light pressure to slowly cover the entire surface of the trim with the compound. Repeat the application twice.

5) Buff the Polish

Use a soft cloth to remove any excess polishing compound from the trim. If you still see scratches or marks, use the rotary polisher to apply more compound.

Once you’ve checked again and you’re happy with how the trim looks, it’s time to buff off the polish. Run a clean foam pad across the trim a few times to do this, using the same technique you used to apply it.

6) Remove the Tape and Wipe

Remove the masking tape and use another clean, soft cloth to wipe down the trim and the surrounding area. This will remove any remaining polishing compound, tape residue, and dust or dirt.

7) Apply a Plastic Restorer

To really make your trim shine and increase the time between cleanings, apply a plastic restorer or “trim restorer.” Plastic restorer also forms a protective layer from UV rays to prevent damage.

FAQ

What Is Plastic Polish?

Plastic polish is a substance that cleans and removes scratches from plastic and similar surfaces, like acrylic. Plastic polish can also be called polishing compound or polishing paste.

Plastic polish is generally gentler and has a lighter grit than polishing compounds intended to smooth out a car’s paint job.

How Does Plastic Polish Work?

The lightest grit plastic polish gently cleans plastic and leaves a nice sheen. A heavier grit plastic polish removes scratches, haziness, and abrasions. The heaviest grit plastic polish, usually in the form of a paste, removes more severe scratches and abrasions.

How Do I Remove Buffing Compound From Plastic?

The best way to avoid residue from plastic polish is to use a light grit polish intended for plastic that won’t leave a chalky finish.

Once you’re done polishing, you should immediately wipe off any excess compound with a clean, soft cloth. If you notice any dried compound residue later, you should first try to remove it with mild soap and water. You can also use a toothbrush or a magic eraser. Wipe the plastic clean with a clean cloth.

If you get paint buffing compound on plastic trim, you can follow these same methods to remove it.

What Are Rubbing Compounds vs. Buffing Compounds For Plastic Polishing?

Rubbing compound has a stronger grit to correct uneven surfaces from scratches. Buffing compound is less abrasive and commonly used to remove superficial streaks left by polishing compound.

When you’re caring for plastic trim, be sure to use products that are designed for plastic surfaces.

Make Your Car Shine With CleanTools

When you have the right tools for the job, car maintenance is a breeze. Whether you’re washing, buffing, or waxing, you always need a soft, high-quality cloth like The Absorber. When you’re polishing, make sure you have the right product for the surface you’re working on and your desired results, and then bust out a buffing ball for that shiny finish.

If you want to keep your luxury car looking like it belongs in a showroom and protect its value, you should clean and wax it regularly with products specially designed for your car.

To keep your car sparkling clean, you’ll need an appropriate automotive wash, a wool mitt or a soft sponge, an ammonia-free cleaner for your windows, an acid-free, pH-balanced cleaner for your wheels, a dual-action polisher premium car waxes, and polishing compound, and carnauba or polymer wax.

Waxing your car is possibly the most important step, as it seals in all the work you’ve just done washing it, provides a protective layer against dirt and grime, and adds a beautiful, glossy finish.

Here’s how to pick the best high-end wax for your luxury car and the steps to waxing a car.

How to Pick the Right Luxury Car Wax?

Most car wax products consist of carnauba wax, which is derived from Brazilian palm leaves, plus other organic or synthetic compounds. Premium car waxes supplement carnauba wax with other natural waxes and synthetic polymers to give a richer shine than carnauba wax alone. but in order to do so you need proper car waxing techniques. We’ll talk about it later in the article.

Additionally, a car wax made of mostly carnauba wax will have a hard texture and be difficult to use. A label that claims car wax is “100% carnauba wax” is deceptive because products usually contain at most 30% carnauba content in order to make the wax usable.

There are multiple forms of wax, including sprays, pastes, and liquids. Paste waxes require a bit of work but offer the longest-lasting results and are well-suited for luxury cars.

According to dealerships, the best wax for Mercedes-Benz vehicles is a polymer wax, which sets more quickly and tends to leave less of a haze on the surface.

Luxury Car Wax Steps

1. Wash, Rinse, and Dry

Depending on how long it’s been since you gave your car some TLC, you may be able to just do a quick wash with a specialized cleaner and add a top coat of wax. If your car has more stuck-on dirt, you’ll want to wash it thoroughly from top to bottom, leaving the dirtiest areas at the bottom for last. When washing a luxury car, you should work carefully to remove all debris that could create scratches if left behind. After washing, completely rinse your car, including the underside, especially if you need to clear away road salt. Finally, dry your car with a soft, absorbent towel. It’s highly likely that you’ll see swirl marks if you let your car air dry.

2. Use a Clay Bar and Polish

Use a clay bar to buff out stubborn, stuck-on residues after washing. Tree sap is an example of a residue that will be hard to remove with soap alone.

If you haven’t washed your car in a while, you’ll want to polish it to buff out tiny scratches and protect your paint from further damage. Apply two to four coats of a dual-action compound and buff it in with a Buffing Ball. Specially designed for polishing chrome, aluminum, and painted surfaces, the Buffing Ball is made of Italian viscose fibers that won’t overheat or get caked up with product like foam buffers can.

3. Wax

Waxing is the step that will seal in all the work you’ve just done and protect your car from UV rays, chemical and environmental agents, and general dirt and grime. Once you’ve selected a super car wax, all you have to do is work it in with a soft towel. Take your time on each area, and watch your car begin to gleam like new. With another clean towel, buff out the remaining product, and repeat if you’d like.

Here’s a tip: Don’t wax your car in direct sunlight or freezing weather. Luxury car wax works best in cool temperatures, so wax your car in the shade on a hot day or in the garage on a cold one.

Keep Your Luxury Car Looking Brand New With CleanTools

Picture this: you come home after getting a car wash and step out to admire your squeaky clean vehicle. But then you notice a long scratch on your driver’s side door. What’s that? Where did it come from?

If you find yourself in this situation, the first thing you’ll want to do is see how deep the scratch is and decide if you can remove it yourself. But how should you go about it? Read on for the best tips to remove scratches from your car.

What Products Do You Need to Remove Scratches from Your Car?

There are generally two products you’ll want to consider when trying to get rid of scratches on the car and imperfections on your car. One is Scratch and Swirl Remover, and the other is Rubbing and Polishing Compounds.

The formulations and instructions for Scratch and Swirl Remover products are tailored for repairing blemishes on the finish and small areas of scuffs and scratches.

If you want to address oxidation and dull finish instead, you should opt for a Rubbing and Polishing Compound.

The last item you need is a soft, high-quality towel to buff in these products.

How to Remove Light Scratches & Blemishes From Your Car

The task of getting rid of scratches on the car can be quite stressful depending on how deep the scratch or swirl is. Examples of minor surface blemishes that can be removed with Scratch and Swirl Remover are light marks from fingernails around door handles, light scuffs, or a finish that has lost its gloss. This product can also remove general road film and swirl marks from automatic car washes.

Removing Light Scratches

1. Wash and dry your car.
2. If you can, mark the scratch with masking tape one inch above and one inch below the scratch to help you apply the product in the right spot.
3. Apply a Scratch and Swirl Remover with a soft towel in a back-and-forth motion for 30 seconds with firm pressure.
4. Wipe dry with a clean towel and inspect the area to see if the scratch has been removed.
5. Reapply the Scratch and Swirl Remover until you achieve your desired results or the scratch becomes clear or invisible
6. Repeat the process up to five times
7. Apply the Scratch and Swirl Remover to the larger surrounding area to blend in the repair

How to Remove Stubborn Scratches & Blemishes?

If you’ve followed the above steps and the scratch is still there, you can use a Rubbing and Polishing Compound and use a heavier grit to buff it in. Paste compounds are more aggressive than liquid ones, so on new, darker paint finishes you should use a liquid compound. On older, oxidized paint finishes you should use paste compounds. 

Removing Deep Scratches

Stone chips, paint transfer, and deeper abrasions may require sanding and polishing or paint repair. For this kind of damage, it is recommended to visit a professional auto repair shop.

How to Buff Car After Removing Scratches?

The process of working a Scratch and Swirl Remover or Rubbing and Polishing Compound into your car removes wax, which is much needed to protect your paint from UV damage, dirt, and more. After polishing or treating scratches, you should clean the area and wait until it’s dry to reapply wax. Gently buff the wax in with a soft towel to restore shine and help protect against future scratches and swirl marks.

Get a Flawless Finish on Your Car

Are you looking into buying a sports or luxury vehicle, but want to make sure you’re making the best choice for your needs and preferences? Maybe you’re not sure what the difference is between the two.

Most car brands offer at least one sports car model, while luxury cars are usually made by luxury brands. The labels “sports” and “luxury” can clue you in on specific features of the cars and help you decide which one is right for you.

Read on to learn about the pros, cons, and differences between sports and luxury cars based on performance, comfort, affordability, and style.

Performance

The focus of sports cars is their engines, and they’re designed to handle well in a variety of road and weather conditions. They’re also known for quick acceleration and speed while maintaining control.

There are luxury sports cars that also provide these features, but luxury cars are usually more focused on offering drivers and passengers a smoother ride so you can’t feel bumps in the road as much.

If you’re looking for high speeds and quick maneuvers, a sports car is the choice for you. If providing a smooth, comfortable ride for all the occupants of your car is more important to you, a luxury car is better suited to these needs

The hybrid class of cars, also known as ‘sporty luxury cars’ are made to offer luxury to passengers and quick pick-up speed and control over the vehicle at the same time.

Comfort

Luxury cars are designed with a focus on comfort. In addition to providing a smooth ride, they can offer more legroom in the front and back seats, heated seats, massaging seats, automatic climate control, computer systems, surround sound, and more.

Since sports cars are focused on performance, they often don’t provide added comfort for passengers, especially for backseat passengers in two-door cars. But this streamlined design is what makes for good pickup and handling.

Affordability

Is a sports car worth it? If you’re wondering, you’ll be glad to know that there is a wide price range for both sports and luxury vehicles, but it’s easier to find a more affordable sports car than it is a luxury car. The average cost of affordable sports cars is about $30,000, while luxury sports cars typically cost more and have a much larger price range between the most affordable and the most expensive cars.

The cost of luxury vehicles also varies widely and depends on what features are most important to you. For example, the MSRP of a 2023 Audi Q7 SUV starts at $59,200 and increases as you add more options or features, while the MSRP of a 2023 Porsche Cayenne GTS SUV starts at $136,360.

It’s also important to consider how expensive a car is to maintain and how well it holds its value. In general, luxury cars are more costly to maintain and depreciate more quickly.

Style

Because of the variety of luxury cars, from sedans to SUVs, luxury cars have more style options than sports cars, but many people buy sports cars specifically for their style.

Sports cars are usually smaller and slimmer, lower to the ground, with less seating capacity, and sleeker trims.

Luxury cars can have more style options inside the vehicle, like leather upholstery, heated seats, and advanced safety features. 

Trading your car in can be a little overwhelming. From making sure you’re getting a good trade-in price to choosing your next ride, there are a lot of steps that go into it—so it’s understandable that cleanliness and detailing are probably the last things on your mind. Still, that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be on your list at all.

If you’re wondering why I should get my car detailed before trading it in, keep reading. We’ll explain why it’s probably a good idea to do so.

What Is the Cost of Detailing a Car?

Car detailing is the process of cleaning and sprucing up your car’s interior and exterior to make it look better. This goes beyond a typical wash. Like most car services, the cost of detailing your car varies based on what type of detailing you are looking for, the model of the car you have, and exactly what you want out of the service. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay about $100-$300 for detailing your car. 

What Goes Into Car Detailing?

There are three main areas of detailing: cleaning, enhancement, and protection. Here is what may go into a car detailing session:

• Shampoo and vacuum mats and seats
• Exterior wash and dry
• Waxing and polishing
• Paint protection 
• Ceramic coating

The Value Detailing Adds to a Car

Imagine going that you’re shopping for a home, and you see a house with a yard full of weeds and paint peeling off the shutters. Even though nothing is fundamentally wrong with the house, you’ll probably be less inclined to buy it because your initial reaction is that it’s run-down. 

The same logic applies to trading in your car. When you go to a dealership, you want to be sure that your car is in a favorable condition. Granted, detailing your car won’t reverse the miles on the odometer, but presenting it to the dealership when it’s clean and taken care of may just help boost your trade-in value.

Additionally, detailing your car at least once a year can help preserve its value. That’s why it’s a good idea to detail your car even if you aren’t planning on trading it in anytime soon. 

Is It Really Worth Detailing Your Car Before Trading It In?

The short answer: yes. Detailing your car can help it look good when you go to trade it in. And this can help boost your trade-in value. If you’re still on the fence about detailing your car, consider at least washing the interior and exterior of your car. A full detailing service isn’t always necessary to improve your car’s appearance.  

Our Trade-In Detailing Checklist

Maybe you want to try detailing your car yourself—many people do! Here’s a checklist of things to take care of when you get to detailing your car before trading it in:

• Remove all trash and accessories, like phone chargers and air fresheners
• Vacuum the entire interior—don’t forget to vacuum under the seats and trunk as well
• Clean upholstery, floors, carpets, dashboard, seatbelts, cupholders, and anything else
• Use an odor eliminator
• Wash your car’s exterior
• Clean the glass of your car—windows, mirrors, etc.
• Scrub down the tires
• Polish and wax your car 

The Absorber®

Vinyl wrapping isn’t anything new. In fact, vinyl wrapping can be traced back to the 1950s when hot rodders sought out custom lettering and logos. It wasn’t until the brink of the 21st century that vinyl wrapping became the new fad on the street. Read on to learn car wraps pros and cons.

The Pros and Cons of Vinyl Wrapping

You might be wondering why paint jobs are even a thing anymore ever since vinyl wrapping rose to stardom. The truth is, paint can still hold advantages over vinyl. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of vinyl wrapping.

The Pros

Changing the appearance of your vehicle is exciting. However, if you like to change your mind every year, paint can get expensive. No shame in being indecisive—it just means that a traditional paint job isn’t for you. 

Whether you want prismatic patterns or flame fenders, you can customize your vehicle however you want, whenever you want. Take care of your vinyl properly and it can last you upwards of 10 years. You can also DIY vinyl wrap your car if you are a do-it-yourselfer.

The Cons

There are times when paint prevails. If you’re a classic car collector in the business of selling trailer queens and showroom stoppers, then you definitely don’t want vinyl. In the same vein, a professional paint job can significantly increase the resale value of your vehicle. 

If you’re not trying to boost your resale value and would like a flexible alternative to paint, then vinyl is most likely ideal for you and your lifestyle.

How to Wash Your Vinyl-Wrapped Car?

Just because your car is vinyl-wrapped doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for regular cleanings. Ensure your ride remains nice and shined up all year long with CleanTools.

For the most part, you can wash your vinyl-wrapped car just as you would if it had traditional paint. The only difference is that you should avoid brush car washes. Use a car-friendly soap and dry it off with a gentle, absorbent towel.

Can I Get My Car Detailed After It’s Been Wrapped?

Of course! Pick your favorite wax to protect your glossy vinyl from losing its luster. It will extend the life of your vinyl, too. CleanTools offers a collection of professional detailing products that you can use on your vinyl-wrapped ride. 

Give your car a showroom shine with the Glosser®—a non-woven, three-layer microfiber cloth designed to remove dirt, gunk, and grime. This microfiber cloth contains an inner layer of wax and is safe for all types of finishes, including vinyl.

Don’t Hit The Road Without CleanTools

Hopefully, now you have learned about the pros and cons of car wrap. You’re a proud car owner. Take some pride in the way your vehicle looks with CleanTools.

Let’s be honest; dirty cars don’t get the best reception. Turn heads when you roll up to the next stoplight with a clean, shiny vehicle polished by our products. Whether you need to replace your drying towel or want to get down to the nitty-gritty of detailing, CleanTools has got your car covered from the wheels to the headliner.

If you own a car, chances are you have probably wondered what the difference is between wax and sealants. After all, both work to protect your vehicle’s paint job. The difference boils down to three things: the climate, your lifestyle, and your personal preference. 

Below are the defining characteristics between wax and sealants. Find out which one suits your ride best.