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[h=2]Damn you, dish soap[/h] Never use dish soap to clean a car as most of them have detergents that will eat into a car’s clear coat.

Micah Wright


Even though the detrimental effects of using dish soap on a car have been proven time and again, people still use it in a pinch, often with irreparable results. Many of the detergents and degreasers in the common bottle of kitchen soap will eat into a car’s clear coat, thus causing premature fading and corrosion. Paint job issues are an expensive fix. And because car cleaning supplies are sold at every grocery chain and dollar store out there, taking a quick trip down the street remains a sensible solution when a big bottle of dish soap is the only thing on hand.

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[h=2]it’s not rag time[/h] Fresh microfiber towels are important, so always be sure to send them through the wash. | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Sheet

One of the biggest mistakes car owners make when they’re cleaning their vehicles happens once the entire washing process is complete, and it’s time to clean up. Instead of doing the logical thing and washing their microfiber towels, many people will opt to let them air dry and toss them back in the bag or box from whence they came.
Even though a piece of cloth might appear pristine, it more than likely is loaded with little bits of grit and grime, which will surely leave swirls and scratches in the clear coat the next time the car gets toweled off. Toss that microfiber in the wash with the rest of that week’s laundry in order to save yourself a headache later.

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[h=2]Pressure washer of unprecedented consequences[/h] A pressure washer is ready for use on a driveway — but not on a car. | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Sheet






That engine bay might be completely coated in old engine grease, road salt, and all kinds of carbon build-up. But that doesn’t mean you need to open up a can of highly pressurized whoop-ass on it. Modern engines are filled with sensors and electronics. And though automakers engineer their electrical systems to handle unavoidable waves of rain water, exposing them to something that’s designed for blasting stain off wooden decks is a poor decision. The same goes for all the other areas of a car. All it takes is getting too close for a second or two, and the next thing you know you’ve got a section of exposed metal staring back at you.

senor honda

[h=2]The bucket list just got bigger[/h] A wash bucket and scrubber mitt are two key tools when it comes to cleaning a car. | Micah Wright







Having a bucket filled with soapy water is one of the key components if you wish to successfully clean your car. But every time that wash mitt or sponge drops back in that cleaning solution, all of the contaminants and particles picked up during that last sweep of your car’s exterior are getting deposited into the bucket. You can avoid this problem by using a trio of clearly labeled pails and a little more water.
The first container should be your filthiest bucket, which will have nothing more than rinse water in it. The second is for rinsing off any stubborn particles that might still be suspended in the mitt or sponge. And the third should be filled with fresh car wash liquid and water. As you go through the cleaning process in this order it is advisable to dump and refill all three buckets if the water begins to appear compromised.

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[h=2]Super stinky glass cleaner[/h] Ammonia-based glass cleaner should be avoided when cleaning cars. | Micah Wright


There’s a reason why there are so many cleaning products on the market that are specifically engineered for automobiles. Take household glass cleaners for instance. While they might do a great job of polishing that windshield to a crystal clear shine, they are also prone to leaving stains and discoloration all across your dashboard due to the ammonia in them. Certain window
tint films are susceptible to bubbling, peeling, and fading if the wrong kind of cleaner is applied. That’s just one more reason why a certified automotive glass cleanser should always be used.

senor honda

[h=2]Avoid the chamois craze[/h] Chamois skin | The Original Chamois Company

While chamois cloths are super absorbent and do a great job of soaking up water, they pose a real threat to your car’s exterior. Unlike microfiber towels, which have specially designed strands that spirit leftover grime away from the surface, a leather chamois cloth traps these impurities along its surface. That allows these contaminants to be smeared across the surface of the vehicle. This encourages swirling and scratching, something your car’s clear coat will find difficult to cover up.

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A rough towel can cause scratches and swirl marks when drying a car. | Micah Wright



Don’t grab any old towel from your washroom, and expect amazing results. Unless you like to dry off with microfiber when you climb out of the shower, chances are massive bath towel of yours is going to inflict some serious harm to your clear coat. Rough-seamed edges and the way in which most towels are woven make it easy for deeply ingrained grit to scratch the surface of a car when drying. Microfiber is your friend. Never underestimate its benefits.