When you walk around a car showroom, you get to see lots of shiny new cars on display, and you think to yourself that your 10-year old rust bucket that you call your car used to look just like that once upon a time!
Despite the best efforts and intentions of many a car owner, vehicles can sometimes look like they have not received any care and attention for a very long time. If this echoes a description of your car, fear not because you can set about making it look like a million dollars! Follow these hot tips to find out how!
Image credit: _gee_
Make your car’s exterior look like new again
Over the years, your car will be subject to the adverse effects of the elements, the occasional scratch or twelve, and all sorts of car bodywork and paint problems. Whilst some people would simply give up at this point, I am here to tell you that it is possible to make your car’s exterior look awesome again!
There are some tools that you will need at your disposal before you pull your sleeves up and get on with it:
- Pressure washer with shampoo bottle and brush attachments;
- Tar remover and lint-free cotton cloths;
- Car shampoo (preferably one with wax mixed in);
- Alloy wheel brush and cleaner;
- Microfibre cloths and leather chamois;
- Clay bar.
Beginning the process
Firstly, you will need to use your pressure washer to get rid of most, if not all, of the dirt on your car’s bodywork and its alloy wheels. The pressurised jet of water helps to remove even stubborn marks, although for tar stains you will need to apply some tar remover and gently remove it using a cotton cloth.
When you use your pressure washer, make sure that you direct the water in hard-to-clean areas such as window seals and rubbers, door shuts, bonnet and boot badges, behind number plates and so forth.
At this point, you should take the opportunity to soak your rims with alloy wheel cleaner. You will probably need to use your brush to remove any stubborn or caked-on stains, such as brake dust; this is often a process you need to repeat several times.
Next, use your car shampoo and bottle with your pressure washer so that your car soaks up the shampoo and begins the chemical cleaning process. Once your car is completely covered, use the brush attachment to brush and rinse.
Finally, remove the attachments and just give the car a proper rinse.
Finishing up
Once you’ve finished, dry the car with your microfibre cloths and leather chamois. At this point, run your hand over all major body panels. If they feel “rough”, you will need to use the clay bar to get rid of any imperfections.
Paul from Big Motoring World Canterbury recommends remoulding the clay bar every so often so that you avoid scratching your car’s body panels from any dirt particles.
Once you have finished, and your car’s bodywork feels smooth and looks shiny, you have completed your mission!
