How to Wash a Car

How often should a car be washed? Not only does washing your car regularly keep it shiny and nice, but a regular washing protects your car from showing signs of wear and tear from those long Hartsdale commutes. With that in mind, Ray Catena Lexus of White Plains created this how-to guide for DIY car washing to keep your car protected on Scarsdale roadways. Be sure to also check out our other how-to guides on a range of topics, including how to clean leather car seats!

How to Properly Wash a Car: Step by Step

Follows these steps to wash your car without damaging your paint:

1. Decide on a Quick Wash vs. Deep Clean: When was the last time you washed your car? A quick clean is all you need to get your Bronx vehicle looking shiny and new again if it was recently buffed and waxed. However, if it’s been a few months, you should give your car a deep clean.
2. Rinse Your Car Before Washing It: Start by rinsing the loose dirt and debris off your car. This will prevent dirt from scratching the paint. If car wash products aren’t available, household detergents, like dish soap and laundry detergent for the body and glass cleaner for the windshield, are good options. To avoid streaks, dry your car with a microfiber towel. For washing your tires, choose a low-strength and pH-balanced aluminum wheel cleaner. A clay bar can buff away debris from your windshield and car body. A dual-action polisher can smooth scratches.
3. Apply Polish (Optional): While dual-action polishers will give your vehicle a nice shine, orbital brushes can speed up the process, although they offer a less precise finish than hand polishing. Also, orbital brushes can trap dirt and scratch your car’s paint.
4. Wax Your Car: Car wax protects the paint from harmful UV rays while helping to retain its sheen. Either carnauba or polymer wax will suffice. While polymer waxes take less time to set than carnaubas, carnauba waxes are less expensive.

How Often to Wash a Car

How often should your car be washed in White Plains depends on how often and where you drive. If you use your car daily on long commutes, you should wash your car approximately every two weeks and buff it every six months. If you routinely dabble in off-roading, however, your vehicle should be washed much more often to prevent damage to both the body and windshield.

Get More DIY Maintenance Tips From Ray Catena Lexus of White Plains

Now that you know how to wash a car, get more service tips and DIY maintenance advice from our service technicians, including how to check coolant levels. If you don’t want to dirty your hands getting into the nitty-gritty of vehicle maintenance, simply schedule a service appointment, and let Ray Catena Lexus of White Plains take care of the rest!