We tend to focus on what is important to maintain under the hood of your vehicle, but it is also vital to properly care for the outside as well. The most important thing is to communicate with your trusted auto repair shop because there are hundreds of products on the market and choosing one can be a stressful and confusing task. Your technician will be able to explain which products work the best and are the safest for the exterior of your vehicle.

When cleaning the exterior of your vehicle, it is important to be somewhat gentle while polishing. Identifying and understanding scratches and swirls requires a process if you want to preserve your paint as long as possible. What you read on the bottle may also be somewhat misleading. One expert in car detailing says “The correct process is to start gentle with a smoothing polish, and always avoid over-polishing. Clear coat is essential to a long lasting finish, and the more you polish, the less it’s working to prevent damaging UV Rays, environmental contaminants, and bird droppings from coming into contact with the paint pigment layer. Do yourself and your car a favor, and start soft with any polishing procedure.” Your auto repair shop will give you tips for keeping your vehicle looking great on the outside as well.

It is also important to remember to use caution when taking your vehicle to an automatic car wash. Not only are they overpriced, but they can potentially damage the exterior finish of your vehicle. A hand car wash, whether performed at home or by professionals, is a much more deliberate process and allows for more care to be given to the car’s exterior surfaces. There is also really no need for harsh chemicals when washing your car. Avoid hard bristles and high-friction brushes which can also ruin the finish when rubbed too hard.

Most drivers think about waxing when they hear “exterior car care.” But it is important to remember that “too much wax isn’t a good thing.” The science states that wax bonds at a molecular level, meaning only a singular layer is bonding the paint when you apply it. If you want to add more protection, the answer is layering. Follow the same wax steps, don’t use as much, and simply repeat the process once you’ve removed the previously applied layer.

One last obvious tip for washing the exterior of your vehicle, although it may seem obvious to most, is to be sure you are using a clean cloth, mitt, or towel when washing. It may seem simple, but this step can be often overlooked because of its convenience. Keep anything that’s touching the car as clean as possible. Likewise, “clean microfiber towels prevent against scratching the surface, clean brushes ensure no dirt or grime is dragged along the car’s paint, and clean mitts make for a safe and thorough car wash. Rinse off your accessories after using them, that way they’re ready for next time your car needs some attention.” Detailing is supposed to be fun, involved, and sometimes challenging for those who are doing it themselves. Lose the “quick fix” formulas and remember what it is all about – taking care of your car. Remember to communicate and ask questions at your trusted repair shop !