How to wash your car like a pro | OK Carz

Person wearing a grey shirt with red and white checked cuffs holding a sponge washing their soapy car

Tips and tricks for washing your used car so it looks like new

Now that spring is underway, it’s time to think about doing a little bit of spring cleaning. A good place to start when you’re ready to clean is your vehicle. While it is easy to take your car through the car wash, there is no substitute for doing it yourself. As efficient as the car wash is, washing your car by hand gives you complete control. If you aren’t sure where to start, these tips can help you wash your car like a pro.  

Gather your supplies 

Of course, when you’re washing your car, there are some obvious things you need, like a hose and access to water. You’ll also want at least two buckets, one with water and detergent and the other with clean water. For detergent, it is best if you use a car-specific brand, not just dish soap. Other items you need include sponges, a scrub brush, and soft microfiber cloths.  

Rinse off your car 

Before you put a hand on your car, give it a good rinse down with a hose or a pressure washer. This should help knock any big clumps of dirt off, and lets you see how much work actually needs to be done to get your vehicle sparkling like new.

Use a brush on the wheels 

Since the wheels of your car are the only part that have actual contact with the ground, it stands to reason that they would be the dirtiest. Using a scrub brush or sponge, make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies to remove any dirt or mud.  

Yellow sponge washing a dark car with water on it

Wash the car body using a sponge 

To wash the body of your car, start by using with a different sponge than the one you used on your tires to avoid debris. Work the new sponge across the body lengthwise without using a circular motion. While scrubbing in circles is the commonly accepted way to wash a car, it can damage the paint.  

Clean under the car 

This part might be easy to avoid, but it is important to clean underneath your car. Some of the things on the road can eventually cause decay on your vehicle, so spraying the hose underneath your car when you rinse it off is a great way to make sure everything is good to go.  

[Related: Tips for driving safely near motorcycles]

Make your used car look like new after a wash! 

If you’ve visited one of the OkCarz locations, you’ve probably seen a lot of beautifully maintained used models. To make your vehicle look like a car that wouldn’t be out of place on a dealership lot, following these tips can help. For more tips and tricks, take a look at the OkCarz blog.  

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