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A Step By Step Guide For the Ultimate Clean Car

The King has very high standards for a sparkling clean carriage, and so should you. Not only does cleaning your car make it look great, but it also extends the life of your vehicle and boosts resale value. Better yet, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune - you only need a few basic products and a little elbow grease. Here are The King’s tried and tested tips and products for cleaning your car like a pro.

Here’s What You’ll Need:   

  • 3/8 or ½ Socket Set
  • Dual Action 6-Inch Polisher
  • Paste Wax (Ie. Meguiar’s)
  • Car Wash & Wax
  • Carnauba Wax Liquid (Ie. Mother’s)
  • Tire Shine
  • Interior Protectant Spray (Armor All)
  • Rich Leather Cleaner
  • Metal Polish
  • Pressure Washer
  • Microfibre Mitt
  • Brush
  • Hard Sponge Or Scrub Pad
  • Synthetic Or Leather Chamois
  • A Little Elbow Grease

 

Step One: Give It a Rinse 

Rinse and wet your vehicle with standard tap water. A pressure washer is best, but a standard hose with a strong jet setting will also do the trick. Loose grit will likely come off right away, but you may need to let your vehicle “soak” to loosen up remaining grime. Tackle the inside of your car while you wait. 

Royal Tip: DON’T use a sponge. It will pick up grit, and you’ll rub it around like sandpaper.

 

Step Two: Vacuum the Inside

Remove any loose debris from the seats, floors and dashboard. You’ll also want to remove the floor mats before vacuuming for best results. If possible, use a shop vac instead of a standard vacuum, as shop vacs have better suction power and can pick up water.

 

Step Three: Wipe Things Down

Wipe down the dashboard and sides of the doors with a damp cloth. Avoid using paper products such as napkins or paper towels as they leave a residue. A clean damp rag or chamois (an absorbent synthetic rubber-type cloth) works best.

Once everything is wiped down, you can use an interior protectant spray to help coat and shine plastic, vinyl and leather surfaces. Don’t spray directly onto the surface! Instead, spray the product onto your rag or chamois to avoid splotches or a greasy finish.

 

Step Four: Rinse and Prewash 

The car should still be wet but hose it again to prepare for the prewash.

Using professional car wash soap and a soft sponge or microfibre mitt, gently wipe over the entire car to remove the remaining particles. Start at the vehicle’s top and work your way down, rinsing the mitt frequently.

Using the above technique, clean one side of the car, rinse thoroughly and then proceed to the other. 

Royal Tip: Avoid washing your car in direct sunlight. This may leave soap residue. If you have no choice, rinse the vehicle periodically during your washing to avoid this. Use a bug and tar remover for heavily soiled areas.

 

Step Five: Cleaning Your Wheels and Tires

Start by cleaning your wheels and tires off with a brush. Any stiff bristled, long-handled brush will do, but you can also find specialty wheel and tire brushes at most parts and hardware stores. 

After the brush, use a hard sponge or scrub pad to remove grit and dirt. Since brake dust is especially hard to remove with elbow grease, we recommend using a chemical brake dust and alloy wheel cleaner.

 

Step Six: Dry Your Car

Dry your vehicle off using a slightly damp synthetic or a genuine leather chamois. Remember that a chamois is not a towel. It works more like a wiper blade to create a thin film of water and then evaporate. 

Royal Tip: Be Patient. This process takes time, and rushing it will sell your car’s beauty short.

 

Step Seven: Polish Your Car

Once your car is nice and clean, examine the surface area for any scratches or blemishes. Use a good polishing compound such as Turtle Wax Polish on visible hairline scratches. If you only need a quick high-finish polish, try Turtle Liquid Wax. This revolutionary product can be applied in direct sunlight and doesn’t leave a white residue! 

Note: Small dents and deep scratches will require actual bodywork.

 

 

 Additional Tips From the King: 

  • Be sure not to cross-contaminate surfaces. Make sure you have plenty of microfiber towels to avoid mixing products, even after they have been washed. 

  • Use painter’s tape to avoid getting wax and sealant on your vehicle’s trim. Most waxes don’t play well with plastics and rubbers. This is especially useful if you are layering wax using an orbital buffer since you can’t be as precise around the edges as you can by hand.

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