| This probably sounds really odd, but I think that dirty | | | | your paintwork. Make sure you hose off all the |
| cars look sort of cool in that they show the car has | | | | surfaces from the top to the bottom of the car |
| been used a lot etc. The thing is though, this only | | | | including the wheels and tires. |
| works for cars that are really, really dirty or ones that | | | | Now, get your sponge or cleaning cloth and lather it up |
| look like they've been used off road and so have mud | | | | in your bucket of soapy water and clean the whole of |
| splats up around the wheel arches etc. | | | | the roof of the car. Once you have completed |
| The problem is though that the majority of dirty cars | | | | sponging off the roof, give it a good rinse with the |
| don't look like this, they just look neglected and untidy. | | | | hose. |
| This is the state that my car tends to get to no matter | | | | Next, pick one side of the car and do the same. Give it |
| how often I use it and so rather than find a forest rally | | | | a good clean followed by a thorough rinse. Repeat this |
| stage to take part in it inevitable gets to the point | | | | for the other side followed by the front and the rear. |
| where I decide to give it a wash. | | | | Make sure you rinse between each section. |
| There is a correct way to wash a car though and the | | | | Once you have completed all four 'sides' give the car |
| following is intended as a guide for those of you who | | | | another good rinse to try and stop any water spots |
| are new to the world of motoring, and therefore to the | | | | developing. After rinsing take a towel or chamois |
| world of keeping your car clean or got those of you | | | | leather and thoroughly dry the surface by laying it flat |
| who may be thinking that you might not be washing | | | | against the paintwork and dragging it across the |
| your car correctly. | | | | surface. You may want to rinse the towel or leather in |
| First of all try and find a spot where the washing | | | | a bucket of clean warm water before squeezing it dry |
| process won't be interrupted by falling leaves etc. | | | | and repeating. Do this for the whole car starting again |
| Next, check the instructions on your bottle of car | | | | with the roof before doing all four sides starting at the |
| shampoo and prepare yourself a bucket full of warm | | | | top and working your way down. |
| soapy water. For the time being though put the bucket | | | | Now give the windows a good clean all around using |
| to one side. One mistake that a lot of people might | | | | some glass polish and a rag after you make sure the |
| make is to not hose off any excess dirt or grit from | | | | surface is dry. Do the inside while your at it. |
| the surface of the car. Do this with a hose or a | | | | If you have any metal or chrome on your car give it |
| pressure washer as to rub this off with a wet cloth or | | | | special attention and a good rub with a cloth to polish |
| a sponge may cause tiny scratches in the surface of | | | | away any water spots. |