After your home your car is typically your second most expensive possession. Most car owners love their vehicles but improper care can seriously damage that expensive paint finish.

     Most modern vehicles actually have two paint finishes applied at the factory. The first is the color coat and is the part of the finish that is the most obvious. Typically the factory will apply at least two color coats to make the paint finish more durable.

     Then you have the clear coat which is actually the finishing coat and has two functions. The first is to provide that very important shine which endears us to our new cars. The second function of the clear coat is to protect the critical base color coats from the environment.

     Without the clear coat your paint would be constantly subject to the elements. The sun, wind, rain, sand and environment contaminants would be constantly attacking that new car finish making it look very old before it’s time. As you can see the very important clear coat actually protects that new car finish and must be maintained to preserve the cars value.

     You will need the following cleaning supplies a good flexible garden hose, garden hose sprayer also referred to as a adjustable water nozzle, a plastic pail, clean absorbent cotton towels, car washing mitt, absorbent chamois and your favorite liquid car wash concentrate.

     There are numerous car washing chemicals available on the market. Choose a car wash concentrate that is effective and cleans the toughest automobile dirt and grime. Bugs should be included in this category so ask your neighbors what has worked for them.

     Using moderate water pressure thoroughly spray the entire vehicle using care to ensure that you have completely sprayed down your cars exterior surfaces. We suggest you spray down the vehicle at least twice to ensure that any grit has been completely rehydrated and loosened and blown off the cars surface.

     Embedded grit is the single biggest cause of premature paint deterioration. Embedded road grit is abrasive and if not properly removed will actually grind down the clear coat eventually exposing that expensive color base coat that you fell in love with.

     Do not use dish washing liquids as an alternative to car wash. Dish washing liquids may strip that protective wax surface. Secondly some dish soaps can cause the clear coat finish to deteriorate exposing that expensive color coat to the elements.

     Pour your car washing concentrate into the pail. You should use at least one ounce for each gallon of water. We prefer two ounces per gallon as it will produce a rich luxurious cleaning compound that will do a much better job of cleaning and bring back that beautiful shine.

     Make sure you keep your cotton towels wet with the car washing solution. Thoroughly clean the entire vehicle surface with the clean absorbent cotton towels using a gentle circular motion starting from the roof and then working to the sides and then the trunk and hood. Clean your tires and those expensive chrome or alloy wheels.

     Rinse the vehicle completely taking care to remove any soap off the painted surfaces and the wheels.

     We recommend a complete second wash using the techniques that we have described above. Do a complete and thorough second rinse.

     Use those clean soft absorbent cotton towels or a chamois to dry the vehicle. This will provide an excellent opportunity for you to carefully inspect your paint job for any undetected damage.

     Enjoy.