Care for your car - DIY dos and don'ts to keep it sharp

Your car is your pride and joy. You have invested your many years of savings to buy your dream car and don't you feel it's the minimum you'd do to keep it looking sharp?

It's not that difficult task to achieve, just make sure you wash it regularly and keep a custom fit car cover on it when it is not in use and you are almost done. Any car mechanic would say that washing the car frequently is the best way to maintain the car's paint job. However, remember that if you wash your car incorrectly you can end up doing more harm than good to the finish of the paint.



If you are aware of the do's and don'ts of car washing you will be able to have a car that looks good all the time. If you carelessly wash your car you can leave scratches or stain the finish. If this happens you will have to spend more time repairing the damage.

To properly wash a car you must first have the right tools and use the right technique to get your car clean and looking good. If you have any type of debris on the car finish including those bird droppings, dead bugs or tree sap you make sure to remove them as soon as possible. Do not wait until you wash the entire car.

Bird droppings can be a nightmare to your car's exterior. Remember droppings of birds are high in acidity, the uric acid concentration if left on your car without being attended for long period of time can eat right through the paint. That is why it is very important to cover your car when it is not in use. The cover will protect it from bird dropping as well as tree sap settling on your car. You can either use an over the counter product or water to remove the aforementioned debris from the car.

If you live in a part of the country that has acid rain you will want to rinse off your car any time it rains. The acidic rainwater can leave water marks on your car that can cause permanent damage. This is another reason to always use a custom car cover to protect your vehicle.

You should never wash your car when the car is hot. The soap and water will dry a lot faster on a hot car than a car that is cool. A hot car can make the washing process harder. You should only wash your car when it has been in the shade or early morning is also a good time. It is also a good idea to rinse the entire car before washing. This will cool down the car's surface and rinse off any leaves or dirt.

Never use dish soap to wash your car. Any type of laundry soap, dish soap and household cleaners has harsh chemicals that can harm your car's paint job. These types of products can also eat through the wax on your car. A product that is made specifically for a vehicle is the right thing to use.

To maintain your car's paint finish you need to wash it regularly and always protect by covering it when not in use, remember a stitch in time saves nine.

Following these two simple things will have your vehicle that is the envy of the neighborhood for years to come.