‘As soon as I wash and clean my car, it will rain and spoil the effort I took to clean this vehicle.’ Be honest, you’ve made that comment or something close to it at least once since owning a car. Sorry to say, but there is no real connection there. The rain just happens to fall, in some cases, when you wash and/or clean your car.

Your car is a major investment and you will spend a ton of money maintaining it by doing things like oil changes, buying new tyres, or even rotating your tyres. However, washing your car is probably the easiest car care tip you can follow but it often gets overlooked.

You should put washing your car as a top priority car care tip. Do it to protect the paint job and minimise rust so you can have it to drive for longer. Do it to keep your car in pristine condition for higher resale value later down the line.

WASHING…AND WAXING

Car care professionals generally say that the frequency in which you wash your car will be dictated by factors such as: where you park, how frequently you drive, where you drive, and weather conditions. Ideally, it is a good idea to wash your car every two to four weeks, depending on the factors.

Sometimes it’s obvious when your car needs a wash. You will clearly see the build up of dust and dirt with the occasional finger-written ‘wash me’ note. If you live in an area with a lot of salt such as near the sea or near a salt factory, you should consider washing your car more frequently. Salt can corrode the metal and cause rust. If you spend time driving in places with excess mud or dust, you should clean your car more frequently as well. If you park under trees, beware of birds, their poop is acidic enough to corrode your car’s paint job if left too long. The same goes for dead bugs and tree sap.

Parking in a covered area is often recommended as your vehicle will be less exposed to the elements. That includes the bird droppings, tree sap, dead bugs, and airborne elements like dust, and dirt.

As for waxing, most cars need a good application at least twice a year to maintain a shiny paint job (if your paint job is matte, this does not count for you). To test if you need a new coat of wax, try splashing a bit of water on your car. If the water beads up, you should be fine. If it doesn’t, then consider waxing your car.

Wax does more than make your vehicle shiny and looking good. It also helps corrosive substances slide off the paint. If they don’t budge, the wax will, at least, provide an extra layer of protection.

CLEAN INSIDE AS WELL

Though your car’s interior may be less exposed, it still needs to be cleaned. Use a vacuum to get any particles such as food, dog hair, dried leaves, dirt from outside out of the seat crevices and off the floor mats.

If you notice any stains during the vacuuming process, try using an upholstery spot cleaner to remove them. Dingy looking seats can be cleaned with a simple solution of warm water and mild detergent. If you have leather seats, car care professionals say that you should clean and condition them to keep the leather from cracking and aging. This should be done at least every three months.

Don’t forget to clean the dashboard and steering wheel as well. They are high-touch areas and one of the first things you see in the car. You can use specialised cleaners or use gentle soap solutions to wipe down. The point is, you should clean everywhere as much as possible.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

One of the best things you can do is get your car detailed. It’s like an inside-out deep-clean spring cleaning for your car. Most detailing jobs cover vacuuming every inch of the interior to cleaning your car’s grille with a toothbrush. Many car wash businesses offer this service and prices vary, but it is worth it.

Detailing is not something you have to do often. A simple wash every two weeks, a wax at least every six months and a basic interior clean-out every few months should keep your car in tip-top shape.

Though not mentioned, the undercarriage of your car needs a little tender loving care as well. Ask your car care professional about it.

As usual, check with your car care professional to determine how often you should get your car detailed or waxed. Just remember that washing and cleaning your car is simple. You can do it yourself, but you always have the option of paying professionals to do it for you.

This is the sixth article in the weekly series, ‘Car Care Tips’ where we highlight various aspects of a car, how to provide care and maintenance for optimal performance while ensuring safety. This series may feature your favourite mechanic or others from the motor vehicle industry.

Read the fifth installment of Care Care Tips below:

Car Care Tips | Ways to maintain your windscreen wipers

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