Five Tips For Spring Car Care
Our friends at Meguiar's Car Care came up with these tips for springtime car care, and we thought they were good enough to share with you. As the weather improves here in Oregon over the next few months, it will be time to get your car shined up and looking good!
Step 1 - Thoroughly Wash Your Car: Washing your car removes loose surface dirt, salt, and road film and allows you to keep additional contaminants from building up on the surface. It is always important to give your car a very thorough washing to remove these contaminants that have built up during winter to help prevent premature corrosion. Be sure to use a detergent designed specifically for car washing, as well as a high quality wash mitt. It is also important to wash your wheel wells and undercarriage with high water pressure as they tend to get the dirtiest during winter.
Step 2 - Deep Clean Your Car's Interior: Your interior is subject to all kinds of moisture and debris during an Oregon winter. Cleaning and rejuvenating your interior is one of the easiest ways to spruce up your vehicle for spring, and it will keep your car smelling fresh. In order to revive that new look, begin by thoroughly vacuuming all cloth and carpeted areas, including mats, and then use carpet and upholstery cleaner to help remove any stubborn stains on all leather and vinyl surfaces. Next, use a leather conditioner to protect all leather surfaces and ensure they are supple and well protected. Then apply a quality protectant to your vinyl and rubber surfaces. Clean your windows using a streak free glass cleaner and a premium microfiber. Finally use an odor eliminator to permanently remove any odors that have accumulated over the winter.
Step 3 - Clay Bar Your Car: A smooth surface is key to making any polish or wax work properly. Since it's a good idea to put a good coat of wax on your car after winter, it is vital to “clay bar” your car as well. You need a special piece of clay designed for automotive use. You rub the paint with the clay and a lubricant to pick up the dirt and pollen and grit that is left behind after a wash. This will create a smooth surface and ensure the polish and wax will be maximized.
Step 4 - Apply a Coat of Wax: Maximum protection is vital for any season, so anytime is a good time to replenish your wax protection. In the spring time, it is often a good idea to apply two thin coats of wax to the horizontal surfaces to ensure you have maximum coverage and protection. And remember, always use a quality microfiber towel for quick and easy removal of wax.
Step 5 - Don’t Forget the Wheels: Thoroughly cleaning and protecting your wheels is also very important. Using a specially designed wheel cleaner and plenty of water with high pressure will also make it easier to remove all the salt and debris from each wheel. Before choosing a wheel cleaner, make sure you are aware of the type of surface you are working on (for example, whether your wheels are steel, chrome, aluminum, or some other alloy).
