May 2, 2025

How to clean the exterior of a car.

A detailers guide on cleaning a cars exterior correctly.

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ily isnt rocket science, Although there is correct and incorrect ways to do it, This helpful blog contains a detailers tips on cleaning a car correctly. To ensure the best results with zero scratches.


  • To make car cleaning efficent as possible there is a few tools I recommend using, Although substitutions can be made: A pressure washer, Snow foam cannon, Wash mitt, two buckets, a grit guard and a quality drying cloth.

  • Along side quality tools I also reccomend quality products, You will also find they end up being cheaper than whats available in halfords. I personally use the products from duel autocare and for just getting started you will need: Car shampoo, Snow foam, and citrus prewash. If you decide to use duel for your products use the code: NC20 for 20% off.


  • If you wish to clean your wheels aswell which I recomend then you will need a quality wheel brush, Alloy wheel cleaner and tyre shine.


Why shouldn't I use a yellow sponge?


Not too long ago yellow sponges were a staple of car care in the UK. They were cheap, availible everywhere and got the job done. Now adays though yellow sponges aren't so common for a number of reasons:


  • Lack of lubrication flow- With a yellow sponge its more difficult to spread shampoo and water over the surface meaning they dry up quicker and are less efficent.


  • Harsh texture- Yellow sponges aren't the most forgiving on surfaces especially when dry, They more often than not leave small scratches on the clear coat of the paint.


  • Traps dirt & grit- Yellow sponges unlike microfibre wash mitts trap dirt and grit within the surface, Making them hard to clean & use again.



The correct process


  • Firstly fill two buckets with water adding shampoo to one of them, Check the lable for correct dilution ratios. Ensure you have the grit guards in the bottom of each.


  • Using your pressure wash simply spray the car with water, This will help to lubricate the surface for the snow foam layer.


  • Now with the snow foam attachment on your pressure washer with the correct dilution ratio of water to foam, spray the cars surface. Aim to cover every panel evenly. (If you don't have a snow foam cannon skip to the pre wash stage.)


  • Now wait 5 minutes to let the snow foam remove the dirt from the cars surface and then wash the foam off with the pressure washer.


  • Now check the car to see any stuborn stains of dirt or road grime and spray the effected areas with citrus prewash. (If you didn't use snow foam cover each panel with one-two sprays instead.)


  • Wait another few minutes and wash off the pre wash, Spend extra time washing the areas that had the stuborn stains.


  • Now get your wash mitt, Give it a clean in the bucket without soap and then squeze the water out. Now put it in the soap and start going up and down the roof ln straight lines, Not putting too much pressure on the surface.


  • After each panel, rinse the mitt in the rinse bucket before going into the soap one. Do the car top to bottom with this method.


  • Once each panel has been cleaned, Wash off the shampoo with the pressure washer.


  • If you have wheel cleaner now is perfect for spraying on the solution and working the surface with a brush, After a few minutes rinse off the suds.


  • Using your quality drying towel, Dry each panel top to bottom. Add tyre shine to the tyres if you have it available.


Conclusion

This is a safe & efficent way to clean the exterior of a car, If you have anymore questions feel free to reach out to Andrew via the contact information on the website.

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Book your detail online for 20% off

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