If you love your car, you would no doubt want it to look its best at all times.

To keep your car looking its best, you need to invest some time in regular cleaning of your car. Washing a car is not difficult. All you need is the right tools – a pressure-washer or a garden hose with a spray gun, two buckets, a wash mitt or sponge, some car shampoo and microfiber drying towels.

Gathunkaaru.com  brings you 10 essential tips for a hassle-free DIY car wash.

  • Move out of direct sunlight: Before you start cleaning your car, move the car out of direct sunlight if possible. This ensures that the water and cleaning products evaporate less, and do not cause spots and streaks. Washing in shade or during early morning or evening hours can help keep the car wet till it is time to wipe it dry.

  • Pre-rinse: Rinse the loose dirt from the body and between the panel gaps using a pressure washer or a garden hose. Begin from the top of the car, and work your way down. Do not forget to pressure wash the wheels. It is important that the lower part of the car is rinsed thoroughly as this is where much of the road dirt and salts accumulate.

  • Choose the correct soap: Ensure that the soap or shampoo is designed for washing cars. Liquid detergents and dish cleaners can strip away the wax and vital oils from the paint, leaving it dry and prone to oxidation.

  • Use three bucket method: Get three buckets of water to ensure that the dirt is separated from the main washing solution. Add your preferred car shampoo to one bucket and mix well to form soapy water. Leave one filled with clean water. The third one is for the wheels.

  • Use grit guards:  A grit guard is a kind of grill kept at the bottom of a bucket to trap the dirt and mud. It prevents the grime to stick to the sponge or washing mitt when it is rinsed. The loose particles sink to the bottom of the bucket and do not get reapplied to car.

  • Clean the wheels first: We recommend cleaning the wheels using a separate bucket of water, since it is the dirtiest part of the car. You may use a big brush to dislodge grime and debris. 

  • Apply shampoo: Apply the soapy water on to the body using a sponge or a wash mitt. Rinse the wash mitt in the bucket of clean water before dipping it in the bucket of car shampoo every time.

  • Wash in sections: Washing a car in sections allows you to thoroughly clean an area and rinse it off before the soapy water dries up, leading to spots and stains. 

  • Rinse: Give the car one final rinse over the whole surface to wash off any remaining shampoo and to rewet it for drying.

  • Dry: Once all the shampoo has been rinsed off, dry it up with a microfiber towel. A microfiber towel is extremely absorbent, super soft and non-abrasive. It reduces the chances of your paint getting scratched while rubbing. 

Visit Gathunkaaru.com  for more tips on buying and maintaining the vehicle of your dreams. We can help you find cars that look and perform like new, and also fit in your budget! So, the next time you think of cars or bikes, think of Gathunkaaru.com.