| It's The Great British Sunday Ritual - Washing The | | | | evaporates. This leaves water spots, which can be |
| Car! You get your bucket of soapy water and a | | | | very difficult to remove. |
| sponge, fire up the garden hose and go to work. | | | | Wax the paintwork as often as you can. This will help |
| On a sunny day, it seems everybody is doing the | | | | protect your vehicle from the damaging effects of |
| same. But how much damage are we doing to our | | | | the environment. |
| cars, every time we decide to clean them? | | | | Dress the tyres with a spray on tyre shine for that |
| For example, have you ever wondered why your | | | | show-room finish. |
| cars gleaming paintwork seems to be covered in swirl | | | | Never leave your car covered in dirt, salt, bugs or |
| marks, or why your once sparkling alloy wheels are | | | | bird droppings. Once they get on, they start |
| now a dull grey? The answer is in the products we | | | | attacking your cars paintwork and soon become |
| use and they way in which we use them. | | | | almost impossible to remove without scratching. |
| OK, most people want to get the car cleaned as | | | | Regular cleaning will help prevent this, but try to |
| quickly as possible, that's fine. But please, for the | | | | check your car every-day to make sure it hasn't |
| sake of your cars shine, don't rush the job. By | | | | been attacked by one of these offenders. |
| working methodically and quickly, you can protect | | | | If this traditional wash still seems to much like hard |
| your possession and even improve its re-sale value. | | | | work, try one of these alternatives: |
| Here's how to do it: | | | | Hire A Professional Mobile Car Cleaner. Most reputable |
| Make sure your car is parked on gravel or even the | | | | companies now offer weekly or month washes at |
| lawn if possible. This will reduce the amount of run | | | | great prices and can even clean your car at your |
| off waste created. Come on guys, lets help the | | | | home or place of work. |
| environment too. | | | | Try a static car wash. Some actually work these |
| Use A Quality Car Shampoo. This is essential, as car | | | | days, cleaning and drying the whole vehicle, without |
| shampoos are made to clean cars. Don't use washing | | | | any damage. Go for the more expensive sites. Never |
| up liquid. This is made to clean "stuck on" food off | | | | try a £1.99 car wash. You'll be asking for |
| porcelain plates. | | | | trouble. |
| When using a hose, (if you're still allowed), make sure | | | | As a final option, have a look at the latest in |
| it has a spray gun with a shut off trigger. Liberally | | | | waterless car cleaning technology. |
| spray the car all over, to remove excess dirt and | | | | Basically, these are simple spray-wipe-clean systems |
| debris. If there are any ground in bugs, tar or | | | | which can clean and polish your car without the use |
| droppings, use a specialist cleaner to remove these | | | | of any water whatsoever. These are recommended |
| before you start washing. | | | | for vehicles which are averagely dirty, not caked in |
| Wash from the top first. Start on the roof, move to | | | | mud. |
| the windscreen, bonnet, sides and boot. Leave the | | | | This system works by using hi-tech ingredients, |
| wheels until last. Always spray down each area as it | | | | including cleaning chemicals and polymer protectants, |
| is washed. Change the cleaning water as often as | | | | which, when sprayed onto the car, lift-up and |
| possible. This soon fills with microscopic stones and | | | | suspend the dirt from the surface, where it is swept |
| dirt which are wiped onto your car. | | | | away with a cotton or micro fibre towel to leave a |
| Clean the wheels with a non-abrasive, non acid based | | | | polished and protected finish. This is all done without |
| cleaner. Thoroughly hose down to remove any | | | | scratching and is seen by many as the future of car |
| excess brake dust. | | | | cleaning. But be aware, some products work much |
| Dry with a chamois leather or super-soft terry towel. | | | | better and quicker than others. |
| Don't leave the car to dry in the sun. Dust gets into | | | | Whichever way you decide to wash your car, do it |
| the water and dries into the paintwork as the water | | | | safely and do it wisely. |