There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a freshly washed car. The gleaming paint, streak-free windows, and that unmistakable new car scent — it’s enough to make you want to snap a photo and upload it to socials with the #cleancarclub hashtag. But as satisfying as that post-wash glow is, it can be fleeting if you’ve made some crucial car washing no-nos. From using the wrong products to skipping crucial steps, improper washing can leave your ride looking worse for wear.
To keep your car’s finish in tip-top shape for years to come, avoid these 8 common car washing pitfalls:
1. Using Household Cleaners
The bathroom cleaners, dish soap, and other household products under your kitchen sink are formulated to cut through tough grease and grime. While that’s perfect for pots and pans, it’s too harsh for your car’s delicate clearcoat finish. Household cleaners can strip away that protective layer, causing oxidation, fading, and making your paint more vulnerable to scratches and swirls. Always use a car wash soap specifically designed for automotive finishes.
2. Washing with a Dirty Mitt
Have you been using the same grungy mitt or cloth to wash your car for months on end? Time for a replacement. Letting dirt and grit accumulate on your washing mitt is a surefire way to grind that muck right into your paint, leaving behind unsightly swirls and scratches. Wash your mitts regularly with a car wash solution and replace them every few months for safer washing.
3. Forgetting to Rinse First
We get it — sometimes you’re in a rush and just want to get through that chore list as quickly as possible. But skipping the pre-rinse is a rookie car washing mistake. Rinsing helps remove loose dirt, mud, and debris from your car before you start scrubbing. Washing without this step means you’ll be grinding those larger particles against the paint, increasing your risk of scratches and swirls.
4. Washing in Direct Sunlight
Choosing the wrong time of day to wash your car can make a challenging job even tougher. Washing in direct sunlight causes the water and soap to dry quickly, increasing the chance that you’ll be rubbing baked on water spots into the finish as you wash. Direct sun also leads to quicker evaporation, leaving unsightly streaks behind. For best results, move your car into a shaded area or wash in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s rays aren’t beating down.
5. Using an Old, Crusty Sponge
Sponges are great for household cleaning tasks, but not so much for your car’s paint. They’re absorbent, which means they hang onto a lot of grit that can get ground into your clearcoat. Plusthose coarse surfaces often contain remnants of old cleaners that can further damage or discolor the finish. Car washing mitts with their soft, plush fibers are always the safer choice.
6. Letting Water Spots Air Dry
So you’ve put in the hard work of giving your car a good scrubbing. Don’t undo all that effort by letting water spots and streaks dry on their own. These seemingly innocuous mineral deposits from hard water can gradually etch into the clearcoat. Left unchecked over time, they’ll leave behind unsightly stains that are difficult to remove without compounding or wet sanding. Use a high-quality drying aid product or microfiber drying towels to banish those spots for good.
7. Skipping the Windows
It’s easy to get so focused on getting your paint shiny and perfect that you completely overlook the windows. But cloudy, water-stained glass takes away from the crisp, clean look you’re going for. Always use glass cleaners specifically designed for tint-safe, streak-free window cleaning. And don’t forget to roll the windows down and clean both the inside and outside for optimum clarity.
8. Forgetting the Tires & Wheels
Your car has four other key components that take a beating from rocks, brake dust, and grime: the tires and wheels. Giving them a thorough scrubbing with a dedicated wheel and tire cleaner will keep them looking fresh. Even if they aren’t sparkling, showroom new, clean wheels and tires provide a finished look that ties your vehicle’s whole appearance together.
With a bit of know-how and the right car wash products and techniques, you can avoid these amateur mistakes and keep your car’s finish looking like it just rolled off the showroom floor for years to come. We guarantee those #cleancarclub posts will be plentiful!