WEST COAST MOBILE DETAILING
Auto care
WASHING & DRYING
If there is a single maintenance activity that offers the biggest benefit to your car's appearance, it's keeping it clean through regular washing. That means more than just a good hosing. You must scrub your vehicle using a good car wash shampoo and a wash mitt, and dry it thoroughly with a towel.
Speaking of towels, a towel is a towel, right? Unfortunately, this is not correct. Common household towels and sponges will scratch your car’s fine finish. You must use a quality wash mitt and towels made specifically for your vehicle’s modern clear coat finish.
Here are some tips to make car washing easier:
1. Make sure your car is cool. If possible, work in the shade. A hot surface causes the wash and rinse water to evaporate, creating water spots.
2. Wash the tires and wheels first. If you wash the car body first, the water will dry and spot your car before you can properly finish washing the tires and wheels. Do not use the same wash water on your car's paint as you used on your tires and wheels. Make a fresh bucket of wash shampoo.
3. Use a car wash shampoo specifically formulated for automotive use. Use a shampoo containing surface conditioners and gloss enhancers. NOT dish soap!
4. Use a quality wash mitt. A good wool or micro fiber mitt works the best, and they won’t leave swirl marks.
5. Start washing from the top down and rinse the car often. Start by thoroughly wetting the car's finish with a medium spray of water to remove loose grit and surface dirt.
Drying Tips
thoroughly rinse your car before you dry. Follow these easy steps:
1. If you have a paint-safe squeegee, use it on the windows only. Follow with a microfiber drying towel for the paint.
2. Use a micro fiber drying towel to dry the car. Start at the top and work down. If you're using a large drying towel, throw it out over the flat surface areas and slowly pull it toward you across the surface of the car. Shake and turn your drying towel frequently.
3. Open the doors and wipe down the jambs, sills and seal areas. Be sure to dry under the doors, or your sills will get wet again as soon as you close the doors.
4. Use an old towel to dry your tires and wheels. Do not use your good drying towel on the tires and wheels, as it will become soiled and may scratch your paint.
After Washing & Drying
Regardless of how recently your car was waxed, driving, pollution and washing deplete the wax protection. For this reason, I like to use a quick detailing spray after washing. A good detailing spray renews the "just waxed" shine and extends the life of your wax. You can even use Eagle One Wax as You Dry™ to add protection as you dry the vehicle, saving yourself a few minutes.
Your tires and exterior rubber trim need a little shot of protection, too. A quick wipe with your favorite protectant (ask for recommendations) not only improves the look of the car, but also has a lasting effect on long-term wear. This important step takes less than five minutes.
INTERIOR
The interior of your car takes a lot of abuse. Unlike the inside of your home (which has many times more square footage) the inside of your car gets repeated, concentrated traffic. Each time you get in your car, you drag in more dirt. Each time you eat or drink in your car, you add a few more crumbs and spills. In fact, just sitting in your car, you drop hair, dead skin, makeup and other contaminants. All of this dirt and junk adds up very fast.
