Car Care & Auto Detailing Blog

If worries about a water spot here, a streak there, and a scratch in yet another place have you ready to throw in the towel on washing your own car, don’t. In fact, you shouldn’t even have a towel to throw in. There’s a proper way to wash and dry your car — and come away with a smooth, even and shiny finish — and it starts with using the right car care products.

Using rags and towels, random cleaning solutions, and even washing specific areas of your vehicle in the wrong order all can lead to damaging your paint job and leaving permanent swirls — those circular surface scratches that become plainly visible in direct light. By contrast, following these car washing and drying tips can extend the life of your finish, thus protecting the investment you made in your vehicle.

The following steps cover how to properly wash and dry a car:

How to Wash a Car

Gather your car wash supplies. For best results, use three buckets. One will be used exclusively for cleaning your tires. One will contain a mix of water and a high-quality, auto-specific cleaning detergent; and the other will have only clean water to be used for rinsing. A Wash Mitt or two from CleanTools will best lather your car’s exterior. The density of the material retains a generous amount of soap, resulting in fewer dips in the soap bucket. You’ll need a hose and water access for rinsing. The Absorber from CleanTools will be your primary drying tool. Depending on whether grime and gunk are built up, you might need an auto-specific degreaser or all-purpose cleaner in addition to your automotive detergent.

Step-by-step car washing technique

1. Park your car in a shady spot if possible. Direct sunlight will dry soap too quickly.
2. Make sure your buckets are clean and fill them with clean water, following the directions on the bottle as you fill the buckets designated for detergent.
3. Wash your wheels first so that spraying them off does not splash road dirt onto newly washed paint surfaces.
4. Using the hose, pre-rinse the surface of your vehicle. Avoid using too much water pressure or you may embed grime and dirt particles into the paint.
5. Dip your Wash Mitt into the wash bucket.
6. Starting with the car top and working your way down, wash small areas of about 3 feet by 3 feet. Again, use minimal pressure — let the detergent do its job.
7. Between washing small areas, thoroughly rinse the Wash Mitt in the rinse bucket — you don’t want dirty water getting into the detergent bucket, or you will simply be washing your car with dirty water.
8. When dipping the Wash Mitt back into either bucket, don’t let it swirl along the bottom. Dirt and sediment will settle there, and you don’t want to pick it back up.
9. After washing two or three small areas, rinse them with the hose so soap does not get an opportunity to dry on the surface.
10. For the final rinse in each area, remove the nozzle from the hose and let the water cascade down. Spraying allows the formation of droplets that will leave spots.
11. Don’t forget the windows and windshield.

How to Dry a Car

1. Using a sweeping motion and light pressure, use The Absorber or The Absorber XL to preliminarily dry the car surfaces, especially where there is standing water.
2. A blotting method can be used if there is no standing water, or very little. The Absorber material will draw droplets and hard-water spots up, leaving a streak-free finish.
3. Follow up with The Glosser, a tri-layer microfiber cloth, with waxen fabric as the middle layer so it waxes your car simultaneously.

After washing and drying your car, you can go two steps further. Using CleanTools Buffing Balls, you can polish all of the aluminum and chrome. And our Dash Gear interior cleaning cloth will pick up the smallest specks of dirt and dust inside.

Many experts suggest washing your car weekly. Bird droppings and bug remains have chemical makeups that can eat away the clear coat and leave areas susceptible to corrosion.

Be sure to use the proper techniques when washing your car. It is important to follow these techniques to ensure your car looks clean. Don’t let your hard work go to waste by washing your car the wrong way.

Henry Ford was on to something when he said, “Any color you like, so long as it's black.” No color looks as sharp on a vehicle, but keeping it that way is hard work. Black shows dirt and dust, and there's nothing as annoying as swirl marks on a black car. You can purchase auto scratch removers to lessen the appearance of swirls, but the best approach is prevention.

Clear-Coat Scratches

Modern cars have a layer of “clear coat” over their paint. This protects against scratches and helps keep the paint looking good. However, if you're careless about car washing, grit particles can cut into the clear coat over time. On silver or gold cars those scratches hardly show, but on a bright day, they'll look like white swirls against black paint.

Removing Swirl Marks

When swirls are very shallow, it's sometimes possible to remove them by polishing. However, if that doesn't do the job, you'll need a black car scratch remover. This is a compound that gently removes clear coat until swirls no longer show. Scratches going into the paint won't get completely removed this way. They'll need touching up with black paint, followed by an application of clear coat and then buffing. Removing swirls from a black car is hard work, so let's turn our attention to swirl prevention.

Cleaning a Black Car

Owners of black vehicles probably visit the car wash more often, and those flapping soapy strips are the chief cause of swirls. Touch-free washes are better, but they tend to use a lot of aggressive chemicals that are pretty harsh on auto-paint finishes. That leaves only washing-by-hand!

The 7 Step Washing-By-Hand Process:

1. Park in shade and let the paint cool.
2. Rinse thoroughly to remove loose dust and dirt.
3. Practice two bucket washing: Fill one with car-wash solution and the other with clean rinse water. Dip a Wash Mitt (mitts hold more water and are kinder to paint than sponges) in the solution and wipe over a small area. Rinse the Wash Mitt in clean water, then reload with solution and continue. Repeat until you've washed every square inch. (For added protection, use a grit guard at the bottom of each bucket.)
4. Don't use the mitt for the wheels. Instead, work a microfiber towel into the corners of your rims.
5. Rinse the bucket containing the solution with clean water.
6. Use a car-specific towel, such as a synthetic chamois, that won’t harm the paint or leave swirls behind after you dry your vehicle. These cloths absorb water on impact and avoid unnecessary rubbing to prevent swirling.
7. Finish with a coat of wax. This will be easier with The Glosser. This three-layer microfiber towel is lined with cleaners and waxes for that final showroom shine. Alternatively, save time with The Glosser. This microfiber cloth releases wax when it comes in contact with water to produce a brilliant shine.

Make the Change

Swirl marks on car paint are annoying. Swirls on a black paint job can show easier than any other color. There are ways of reducing their impact, but it's always better to avoid making them. By taking the proper steps when you wash and dry your car, you are actively preventing swirls on your black paint job.

You take great care of your car, regularly washing and waxing it to ensure it stays shiny and in like-new condition. Yet have you ever thought about the condition of your actual wheels (not the tires)? If you have not polished or cleaned your aluminum wheels recently, you could be setting the stage for corrosion and detracting from the overall look of your vehicle.

The Problem With Aluminum Rims

Aluminum rims are a great option because they give the car a smooth ride. However, the one downside to aluminum rims is the high risk of damage from road debris and more specifically brake dust. Brake dust is made from tiny metal shavings from the rotor and carbon fibers from the brake pad that, when combined, are highly corrosive. Brake dust is inevitable so it is important to polish and buff your wheels to ensure they are not being damaged.

Before you jump into polishing aluminum wheels, make sure you are tackling the job in the right way.

Here's what you need to do:

1. Rinse the wheel wells thoroughly to remove brake dust and road grime. Be sure to get into the crevices and clean behind the wheels as well as the wheel well.
2. Use an aluminum wheel cleaner to clean the wheels more effectively. The best aluminum wheel cleaners are designed to be non-acidic, so they will not tarnish the aluminum.
3. Buff the wheels using a Buffing Ball on a 3/8” drill with an aluminum wheel polish. The fibers of the Buffing Ball will get into the crevices you can't reach to achieve a brilliant shine.
4. When buffing, do a small portion of the wheel at a time, because aluminum polish turns black quickly. After buffing, use a clean towel and remove the polish before it changes color. Repeat on the next portion of the wheel.
5. Wipe everything with a dry towel then a wet towel to remove polish still lingering on the wheels.
6. Dry everything thoroughly using The Absorber to ensure you do not leave water spots.

Find the Best Products for Cleaning Aluminum Wheels at CleanTools

The task of cleaning aluminum wheels becomes a bit easier with the right tools. Although the quality of the aluminum rim cleaner is important, the towels and buffing tools you use will also play a role in the effectiveness of the job. CleanTools has a number of products that will make this job a breeze. Use The Absorber and the Buffing Ball to clean and buff your aluminum wheels in little time, so you can enjoy shiny rims and wheels that match the rest of your car.

The problem with oxygen is that it’s everywhere. That is to say, it’s good for us that oxygen is everywhere because we need it to live. But, it’s not good for your car’s finish because of the damage oxidation can cause. Oxygen molecules are constantly in contact with the surface of your car’s paint job. It tends to cause other molecules close to it to lose electrons which, over time, causes those other molecules — like the molecules in your car’s paint — to fall apart.

As your paint continues to oxidize, the effects become more noticeable. At first, you’ll see that the paint looks a bit duller than it did before. Then, the surface of the paint will start to fade and the colors won’t be as vibrant. A paint job that is suffering from heavy oxidation will have a dull, chalky surface. The final stage of oxidation means the clear coat will deteriorate, causing patches of paint to dissolve permanently. That opens the door for rust and means you’ll need to repaint the car.

Fighting Car Oxidation

Although you can’t keep your car in a vacuum all the time to protect it from car paint oxidation, you can prevent oxidation from becoming a problem for your car’s finish with the right tools and some regular care. Here are some tips on how to remove oxidation from your car before it seriously damages your paint job:

• Move your car into a shaded area where the temperature is between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Clean the car’s exterior completely with the Wash Mitt from CleanTools to remove all dust and dirt, drying it thoroughly with The Absorber.
• Use a product specifically designed for oxidation removal to eliminate oxidation from the paint’s surface. Light-to-moderate oxidation can be removed with polishing compounds, while heavy oxidation requires a rubbing compound.
• Apply the compound gently to a small area, work it into the paint and remove it quickly, repeating until all signs of oxidation are gone.
• Waxing your car after it is washed and polished will help prevent oxidation, providing an extra layer of protection. The Glosser is an easy way to apply an extra layer of protection on your vehicle.
• Headlights can become oxidized, as well, so don’t forget to clean and polish them with a specialized headlight cleaner. 

Preventing Oxidation

The best way to prevent oxidation from becoming a problem is simply to make sure you keep up with regular care for the outside of your car. First and foremost, this means waxing your car at least once a month to provide that protective layer against oxidation. Also, if you can, keep your car in a garage, under a car cover, or both, as often as possible. By implementing these tips, you can help prevent oxygen’s insidious influence over your car’s gloss and shine.

With the help of CleanTools, you can keep your car in pristine condition. Check out our products mentioned above, call us or fill out our online form with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

You wouldn’t dream of driving your classic automobile through an automatic car wash, so why would you polish your prized possession with average cleaning products? Car collectors invest a lot of time — and money — in restoring vintage rides to their original glory, right down to the glimmering paint jobs and crushed velvet interiors. Our top-notch automotive products are so effective in helping you keep your car in mint condition, it will look like you just drove it off the lot in the 1950s, without a speck of dust or rust.

Here are a few quick tips for how to keep your classic car looking brand new:

Wash Your Car by Hand

It’s the one universal truth that every car collector agrees on: The only way to wash your vehicle is by hand. That advice seems simple enough, but you can’t just use any old microfiber cloth. Towels and sponges made with terrycloth and other fabrics are not recommended, as they can scratch your car’s coat, and leave behind tiny lint fibers. Our Wash Mitt has been carefully crafted with a blend of polyester, wool, and nylon that you can safely glide over any type of finish, lifting the tiniest specks of dirt and debris. The Wash Mitt is effective against dirt, but gentle enough to keep your car’s exterior free of unsightly scratches. To clean and wax your ride in one fell swoop, try The Glosser. 

Avoid Excess Moisture

Rust is one of the biggest factors that compromise the appearance, and ultimately the value, of a classic vehicle. Certain climates make a car’s exterior and paint job more susceptible to oxidation, which is why many classic car aficionados make their homes in the Western United States. The Absorber is your first line of defense against excess moisture that can eventually damage a paint job and lead to corrosive rust damage that guarantees a car will never be the same.  Don’t let The Absorber’s soft texture fool you; its porous fabric soaks up large quantities of water more effectively and gently than a chamois. When you need to go over the surface again, simply wring out the cloth, and glide it over your classic car’s exterior to sop up every last drop of moisture, without leaving annoying streaks or water spots. 

Dust Your Dash

When you’re cruising down the street, the first thing people see is your car’s showroom finish, but the interior of your vehicle is just as important as its exterior. After all, it’s what you see as you’re driving. Experts agree that a microfiber towel is an essential tool in your arsenal against dust. That’s why we’ve designed the state-of-the-art Dash Gear cloth. Its tiny fibers magnetically attract dust from vintage gauges, radios, and mirrors, even inside hard-to-reach corners. 

Polish the Chrome 

Nothing sets off a showroom-caliber car quite like glistening chrome accents. The CleanTools Buffing Balls affix to any drill and can rev up to speeds of 2500 RPM to restore pipes and rims to a sparkling shine, and to clear signs of oxidation from headlights, as well. Choose from three different sizes, depending on the amount of detail you’re hoping to achieve. 

Your classic car is your pride and joy, so give it the occasional spa day by cleaning it with our line of interior and exterior automotive products. It will look as if you’ve stepped back in time and bought your car brand new. 

Using the right tools and tips you could save yourself $500 from professional detailing service. With the proper tools and a little extra attention, you can take matters into your own hands and conquer these often-overlooked steps in the car cleaning process. If you need a little help along the way, we offer reusable, chemical-free tools designed to give the proper care your car deserves at every step in the detailing process.

1. Conquer Hard Water Spots

The more you spray and scrub, the more water spots smear, streak, dry, and re-appear. It’s important not to give up on this seemingly minor detail. If you know a few tips and tricks, you’ll have no problem removing lingering blemishes caused by hard water.

What causes it?

Water spots are a common problem if you’re doing your own detailing, as the sun can quickly dry mineral-laden hard water onto your car’s exterior.

How to clean it:

For optimal results, use our multipurpose Absorber towel. The Absorber's superior drying power soaks up more water than a leather chamois and terry towel, and its unique surface glides effortlessly across your vehicle leaving no lint behind.

2. Make Brake Dust Bite the Dust

After scrubbing and buffing your car’s exterior to a dazzling sheen, it might be tempting to cut some corners when it comes to the rims and wheel wells. After all, who’s really going to pay attention to your tires? Unfortunately, grimy wheels can easily throw off the whole effect of a freshly washed car, and the longer you skip this step, the more annoying it becomes.

What it is:

Small iron deposits form on your rims and wheel wells as brakes, pads, and rotors wear down over time due to friction. The heat and friction generated by the braking system cause this residue to cling deeply to the wheels and rims.    

How to clean it:

Tackle this job with CleanTools’ reusable Buffing Balls, which are made from small fibers that help lift dust from chrome, aluminum and other metals. Our tool can attack gunk at speeds of up to 2500 rpm.

3. Destroy Dashboard Dirt

Drivers see their vehicle's interior more than they see the exterior, so a clean, uncluttered dashboard can be a welcome change. Untreated dirt inside your auto may contain chemicals that will damage the vinyl, plastic, and other surfaces on your dash.

What it is:

Dust, dirt, and microscopic buildup will cause cracking and peeling on your dashboard over time. The more you ignore it, the worse it will be, until one day you’re stuck doing extra work to rid your dash and control panel of debris. The following steps can help you properly clean your interior and prevent cracked, or discolored surfaces:

How to clean it:

Teeny tiny microfibers make our Dash Gear cloth especially effective for routing out dirt and dust from tight crevices, and hard-to-reach areas. The Dash Gear won’t streak electronic panels, or leave lint on your dash.

Detailing your ride can be a rewarding, but daunting task. Don’t skip these overlooked steps in the interest of time. Instead, use the proper tools and techniques to get the job done right the first time.