Cars

Vacation weather may be upon us, but we still have chores to get done. Between work, carting our kids to swimming lessons and mowing the lawn, the list of tasks may seem endless. It is especially difficult to make ends meet in regards to money, now that the price of electricity has gone up and it is far more costly to run our air conditioners and fill our swimming pools. Nevertheless, there are ways to cut back on spending, and one small thing that can help is to wash your own car.

Car wash supplies are essential for a do it yourself operation. A source of clean running water is the first thing you will need to wash your car. Any backyard hose with a sprayer on it should work just fine. Make sure that you park as near the hose as possible so that you can be sure it will reach around your car.

Next, you will need a bucket of some sort, which should be big enough to hold about two gallons of water. Also, you will need some soap, which is probably the most important aspect of your car wash supplies. Be sure that you purchase specially formulated car wash soap rather than using household detergent, because it could be harsh on the vehicle finish.

A good sponge is necessary to get the soapy water onto your car from the bucket. Some people prefer to use natural sponges, while others like a synthetic sponge. Both are suitable, and can be purchased at most grocery stores. Often it has been recommended to use two separate sponges, if you would like one for the chassis and one for the wheels.

It is a good idea to at least dry off the outside windows, if not the entire car, after rinsing. It is best to wipe down the windshield and windows inside the car with some household glass cleaner and paper towel. A rubber protection spray can be good to apply to your tires after car washing. This will keep your tires from cracking and weakening in the heat.

Waxing your car can make it look even more shiny after washing. Car wax can be purchased along with other car wash supplies in most retail stores. Although waxing can take a while, the results are worth it. Not only does wax protect your paint job, it enhances the colors and sheen to make it stand out. There are so many great car wash supplies to choose from for do it yourself jobs. Washing your own car can be a surprisingly fun way to save money.

The best way to keep your car looking new and fresh is to wash and wax it regularly. You should try to wash your car at least once per month and to use some sort of car polish at least once every three to four months. Car washing prevents build-ups that will eventually ruin your car-bugs, salt build up, etc. Using car polish or wax protects the paint from fading and makes your car look shiny.

I like to add washing the car to my weekly routine. I tend to save change in one of the compartments of my car and use the change I accumulate at the self-serve car wash. During most weeks, I like to wash the car at some point and I usually apply car polish on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Valentine’s Day. It keeps my car looking fresh and clean and helps prevent corrosion.

Waxing a car is actually pretty simple. Car polish or wax is actually just a thin, transparent layer over the paint. The car polish protects the paint job from the elements and masks minor flaws such as scratches. Additionally, car polish seals the paint like an invisible barrier. You should always begin waxing just after washing and drying your car.

After drying the car, apply the car polish one section at a time to the car. You might want to test it on a section of the car that isn’t visible a few days before just to be absolutely certain that nothing bad will happen, for example, your paint rubbing off. I try to work from the top to the bottom of the car-there is a great chance of having dirt left on the bottom of the car. You won’t want to rub that all over the car-you want that to be the last part that you do.

When you have finished applying, buff the car to a shine using a clean, soft cloth. I like to buy a towel specifically for this process, but anything you have on hand that is clean and soft will work just fine.

These are some basic instructions that will help you to keep your car just as shiny and beautiful as the day you brought it home. Keeping your car doesn’t take long, and can be fun!