Cleaning a car is a piece of cake, right?
It is if you follow the procedures suggested by the Car Care Council. While it’s the most basic procedure in car care, it does require some thought.
Research shows that 52 percent of American car owners wash their cars less than once a month, with 15 percent never washing their cars. An estimated 37 million cars smell because of interior garbage, according to a consumer survey conducted by the International Carwash Association.
To get started, you must have the right supplies for the job:
* finish-safe wheel cleaner;
* a soft brush;
* a 3- to 5-gallon bucket;
* liquid car-washing detergent;
* a hose with pistol-grip nozzle, if possible;
* car-washing mitts or soft all-cotton towels;
* several all-cotton towels or synthetic chamois for drying.
Give the car a good rinsing from top to bottom, including the wheels and inside the fenders. Always clean the tires and wheels before washing the body, and don’t use the same mitt for both. This way you’ll avoid contaminating the vehicle’s paint with debris from the wheels and tires.
Use a...