There’s nothing like the feeling of sliding into a newly cleaned and detailed car. From the pristine exterior and interior to the fresh smell and debris-free seats, it’s almost like your car is straight from the dealer again.
But keeping your vehicle well-maintained isn’t just about appearance. Your car’s upkeep is often connected to its longevity, too. Regular washing removes dirt, salt, and grime that can corrode the metal, cause rust, and damage the paint. Cleaning your car regularly preserves the overall aesthetics and keeps the value up — unless you’re accidentally damaging your vehicle by using these common car cleaning mistakes.
Using Harmful Cleaning Products
Just because the label says it’s safe for cleaning doesn’t mean it’s safe for your vehicle. Many people use all-purpose cleaning products, assuming that “all surfaces” includes the car. Harsh household cleaners, including dish soap and glass cleaner with ammonia, are known to strip the protective wax on your car and damage clear coats.
But chemicals like 409 are designed for hard, nonporous surfaces. Using them on your car’s interior plastics can dry them out over time. Some chemicals will damage rubber seals and strip the paint or tint. At best, they’re simply ineffective, but they could be extremely harmful to your car. If you must use DIY household supplies, be sure they’re gentle but effective.
Instead of taking a chance and using cleaning products that are more suitable for household cleaning than detailing your vehicle, look for specially-designed automobile cleaners, like those made by companies like 13 Supplies. Follow the instructions, and you can confidently use them anywhere, whether it’s your car, an off-road vehicle, or heavy machinery.
Washing Your Car in Direct Sun Rays
You’d think washing your car during the day was the right thing to do. The sun’s out, it’s not too chilly, and the warmth will dry the water faster. That’s partially true. But if you’re washing in the direct sunlight, you could be damaging your car’s paint.
If it’s too warm or the sun’s rays are directly beaming at your car, the water is drying too fast. You may not be able to rinse the soap off fast enough, and the quick-drying water leaves behind streaks and water spots. Over time, these watermarks erode the paint and wax. Try to choose early morning or evening to wash your vehicle, and wait until it’s cooler weather if possible.
Getting Straight to Scrubbing
You’re ready to clean the bugs and dirt off your car, so you soap up. But skipping the rinse layer can lead to significant damage.
The key to a good vehicle wash lies in the pre-rinse. With a layer of liquid on top of the surface, the rest of the cleaning becomes more effective. Pre-rinsing loosens dirt and debris, reducing the need to scrub, which can actually cause tiny micro-scratches you won’t see until they’ve piled up over multiple washes.
Thoroughly rinse the entire exterior surface before performing the soap wash. Then, rinse again to remove soap spots. For a smooth, streak-free finish, end with a towel dry step using high-quality microfiber cloths that give you superior absorbency without scratching the paint.
Forgetting the Underside of the Vehicle
The last — but possibly most common — mistake people make when cleaning their cars is neglecting the tires, wheels, and undercarriage. Although they don’t shine and are mostly hidden, it’s still necessary to keep these areas clean. Because they’re exposed to brake dust, road salt, tar, and other debris, leaving them untended can cause damaging buildup.
When cleaning the wheels, use designated cleaning products and separate towels from those you used on the paint. Clean as much of the undercarriage as possible, with a deep clean after driving over the winter or in coastal areas.
Keep Your Vehicle in Top Shape — Avoid These Mistakes
Whether you’re using an automatic car wash or cleaning your car in your driveway, you’re taking a step towards keeping your vehicle in good shape. But if you’re using the wrong products or making any of these other mistakes, what you think is helpful is actually degrading the surfaces. Avoid making these common errors, and enjoy the benefits of a freshly cleaned vehicle without the unwanted side effects.