Discover Top Techniques to Remove Dirt and Grime Off Your Car Effectively
Few things are as frustrating as stubborn dirt and grime on your car. Common contaminants such as road salt, brake dust, tar, and bird droppings can damage your paint job, so it’s best to remove them as soon as possible. But how do you remove this dirt without using harsh methods that can do more harm than good? Read on to find out how to actually clean stubborn dirt and grime off your car.
How to Actual Clean Stubborn Dirt and Grime Off Your Car
Get a Quality Shampoo
Find a good car shampoo that works for you and your car. Wash the exterior of your car according to the instructions on the shampoo. Make sure you do this in a shaded area, preferably on a day with mild weather. Using a microfiber or cheesecloth, dry off the vehicle.
Get a Quality Clay Bar
Get a Quality Clay Bar
A Clay Bar is the industry standard for getting a nice, smooth, contaminant-free finish ready for waxing. Before you use it, though, you should know where to use it. It’s highly recommended to use a Clay Bar on your car anytime before applying wax.
How to Use a Clay Bar
- Detect Embedded Particles: Place a freezer bag over your hand and run it over your car to detect any embedded particles in the paint.
- Cut Manageable Pieces: Cut the clay into manageable pieces to avoid dropping or ruining the entire bar.
- Apply Lubricant: Apply lubricant on the stubborn dirt. Ensure the sections are no larger than 2 feet.
- Slide the Clay: Place the clay in the palm of your hand and slide it across the area using a back-and-forth motion.
- Repeat: Repeat this until the dirt is removed. If needed, repeat on the rest of the exterior, always using lubrication first.
- Flip and Fold: Flip the clay when it stops lifting dirt. Once both sides are filled with dirt particles, fold and knead the clay to get an uncontaminated surface.
- Rinse and Dry: Once the car is clean, rinse off the lubricant and use the microfiber cloth to dry it off.
Polish Your Car
Polishing your car should be done before waxing. Apply a dollop of polish to the pad and wipe the pad across a 2 x 2-ft. area. Run the polisher slowly on a low-speed setting to spread the compound, then boost the speed and let the polisher do the work.
Synthetic wax for a Mirror Finish
My dad swears by carnauba wax for its warm shine. However, I prefer the wet-gloss look of synthetic polymer wax, like Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax. It’s pricier but doesn’t leave a white film on plastic or trim and is easy to apply. Apply the wax to the foam applicator and rub it into the finish with a swirling motion. Then wipe off the haze with a microfiber towel, swapping in a clean towel as soon as the first one loads up.
In Closing
Different factors can affect your car’s exterior, which can vary depending on the area you live in. Whether your car is subject to natural factors such as bird droppings and sand or dust (in areas where the Sahara blows in, vehicles can become covered by a thick layer of sand traveling across continents), you must take care of your vehicle. Avoid harsh chemical products that can ruin your car’s paint, and invest in automotive detailing clay instead.