After struggling to figure out what I needed to do with my car, I could tell that there were some things that needed to be fixed as soon as possible. For starters, the car just wasn't running well, and I was really frustrated about what it meant for my family. I began working with a mechanic to sort things out, and within hours we had a better idea of what the problem was. We began using a little bit of money each time we got paid to manage the car, and within months, we had a better car that we knew would start when we turned the key. Read more about cars on this blog.
You're proud of your car, but washing it too often can be a hassle. Unfortunately, keeping your car clean is about more than just vanity. If your car's paint is in good shape, then the best way to keep it from degrading is to make sure that it stays clean. Car paint can be surprisingly fragile, and over time dirt and bits of road debris can embed themselves in the paint. Not only does this make your paint look worse, it can damage the paint over time as those bits of debris get dragged across the surface.
To avoid this and to keep your car looking its best, there are three types of cleaning and detailing you should be considering: regular maintenance cleaning, waxing and polishing, and detailing.
Maintenance Cleaning
Maintenance cleaning is a simple wash, possibly followed up with some quick detail spray. If you clean your car yourself, then this simply means using soap, water, and some good microfiber towels. Although regular cleanings aren't exactly complicated, they still take skill to avoid scratching the paint. Professional car washes always use multiple buckets and good microfiber washing mitts to make sure that dirt and debris don't become trapped and scratch the paint.
As a general rule, you should have your car cleaned in this way at least twice a month if you mostly stick to roads. If your car spends a lot of time in dusty or dirty environments, then consider having it cleaned more often.
Waxing and Sealing
Waxes and sealants add a protective layer to your paint. This can fill in minor imperfections and also give your car a much deeper and more striking shine. Even without the aesthetic benefits, however, the protection is important. A car with a good coat of wax or sealant will more easily repel dirt and debris, making it much easier to wash off with your regular maintenance cleanings.
When considering how often to have your car waxed or sealed, simply remember the 4 to 6 rule. Waxes will generally last for 4 to 6 weeks while sealants will usually last for 4 to 6. The difference between the two is a matter of personal taste, but sealants offer longer lasting protection while many people feel that waxes look subjectively better.
Full Details
About once per year, you should treat your car to a full detailing. If you have a professional car wash perform a full detail, then you can expect it to include at least some amount of paint correction. In most cases, this means machine polishes which can buff out minor imperfections in the paint. The car wash crew will also use a clay bar, which is exactly what it sounds like. This bar is "sticky" and it can pull out some bits of dirt and debris that have become lodged into the paint. This leaves your paint feeling incredibly smooth and glassy, and is the perfect way to make sure that your car looks its best before waxes or sealants are applied.
Share23 July 2019
