Car Wash

Summer is upon us, finally! I love driving around in summer with a nice clean shiny car and just knowing that it won’t pour down the minute I finish waxing it is enough to get me reaching for the bucket.

During the summer months it is best to leave washing the car till late afternoon or even early evening, I tend to start about 6pm. At that time the car’s bodywork isn’t piping hot and the sun’s not hot enough to make me fill the bucket with my sweat.

I always start by giving the car a rinse off with the hose just to get the dirt and grit off before I start scrubbing, making sure I wet the wheels too. It is best not to use washing up liquid on paintwork as it may be too aggressive for the lacquer, always use a car wash shampoo.

Washing the car from the top down ensures all the dirt does not get moved around too much, I do the wheels right at the end to avoid contaminating the bucket of water with brake dust residue. When I rinse the soap off I again start from the top and work my way down.

After drying the car I then set about applying a layer of wax, that’s if I haven’t given up already and gone inside to watch the footie! If all this sounds like too much hard work, why not take your car to a reputable car wash, there is a used car dealer in Oxford who also have a car valet centre, I hear they are very good.