How to Clean Your Car and Avoid Nasty Scuff Marks
You just visited the car wash and your car came out with scuff marks. Why? Here's how to avoid these unwanted marks.
What are the Causes of the Friction Marks?
- Scuff marks are caused by improper washing and drying techniques.
- The automatic car wash cleans your car, but it won't make it as shiny as you want it to be.
- Or, do you wash your car by hand and still get scuff marks? You may be using the wrong type of towel.
- To avoid scuff marks, you need to thoroughly clean your car from start to finish. Here is how to do it.
Washing Tips:
- Do not use soaps or kitchen brushes. Use soaps made for car washing and get soft towels and scrubbers.
- Do not touch your car with an abrasive product.
- Wash your car once a week, whether you use it or leave it in the garage.
- Pre-soak heavily soiled surfaces with an all-purpose car-safe cleaner.
- Wash from top to bottom. You don't want dirt to fall on the parts you've already spent time washing.
- Keep a bucket for the wheels, the body of the car, and the rinse aid.
- If your car is very dirty, do a pre-wash with a hose to rinse out large dirt, and dislodge debris stuck in small spaces.
Tips for Drying:
- Use a microfiber towel that is soft and designed for cleaning a car. Remember that not all microfiber towels are the same, and some will leave circular marks on the surface of your car.
- Separate washing and drying towels.
- Dry top to bottom, just like you washed your car.
- Slide and lightly blot the towel to absorb most of the water, then with a hose of compressed air, dry the rest.
- Apply polish or spray wax and buff lightly with another microfiber towel.
A final Remarks:
To make sure your car comes out as clean and pristine as possible, you need to keep your cleaning equipment in top shape. This means cleaning and drying your buckets before putting them away again, as well as cleaning your sponges and towels. Don't wait to clean everything up later.
In addition, the layer of grime that appears on your car when you park it outside will also appear on your car in the garage, and it will attack your paintwork. The most important tip to follow in order to avoid scuff marks when cleaning is to simply clean your car regularly. The more gunk is left on your car, the harder it is to clean it up afterward. So get out there and show off your shiny and new-looking car!
