Cloth for washing the car. Three common mistakes when washing a car The best way to wipe the car after washing

Car washing is a whole science, for some individuals it borders on art. The pleasure that a car owner can get from polishing his car to a mirror shine is difficult to confuse with something and even more difficult to describe. A relaxing activity, the result of which will be pride in the work done.

However, as with any science, the washing process iron horse it is necessary to approach carefully, with knowledge and intelligence. We have selected the Top 3 mistakes that should be avoided when washing a car, unless, of course, you want to harm its paintwork.

Paint is to a car what skin is to a person.


I always said that body paintwork a car is its skin: it breathes like leather, it needs to be looked after like leather. If you wash your car with an old rag, you will 100% scratch the thinnest layer of varnish, thereby damaging the paint. To avoid this, you need to use professional equipment. For example, sponges and cleaning cloths of this kind: what to wipe with

But even if you purchased a professional sponge for wiping, this does not mean that you cannot scratch the body. The fact is that the porous surface easily absorbs the smallest particles of dust and dirt. These particles, almost invisible to the eye, cause damage to the paint over and over again, working like a fine abrasive and scratching the surface.

Advice:

First: you can determine their presence by the cloudy water that wets this sponge.

Second: wring out the sponge more often and rinse it in water. It's better to do this in several approaches. One bucket is with water to initially wash off the accumulated dirty foam, the second bucket is with clean water, where you will dip the sponge for rinsing.

Leave the dish soap for the dishes.


The second most common mistake that car owners around the world make is using the wrong chemicals. Surprisingly, here and abroad, car owners often rub the body with ordinary laundry soap or dishwashing detergent!

If someone advised you to wash your car with soap, run away from this person without looking back - you will not hear anything useful from him.

The thing is that car shampoos have nothing in common with head shampoos. The means at hand will not be able to corrode and remove road contaminants: bitumen, oil, gasoline, scraps of rubber that cover the body surface with a thin layer, glass.

The purpose of car care products is to remove dirt from the surface and provide maximum amount lubricants, while leaving applied protective agents, such as wax, intact. Home remedies will not cope with all these tasks.

Advice:

Never use soap or other household cleaning products.

Wipe the engine, body, wheels with different rags


Mistake number one. Not obvious, so very common. Using one towel to dry wipe different surfaces of the car.

Many car owners like to wash their car every week, but not many of them think about how to do it correctly. This circumstance is connected with the fact that usually in this case they try to use waste materials and means that are at hand to remove contaminants. As a result, the quality of washing a car with their help leaves much to be desired; in addition, there is a high risk of damage to the paint layer applied to the car body. To prevent this from happening, a special car washing brush should be used to perform the described procedure.

To be able to remove any layer of dirt on the car body, you need to know what type of dirt is present in a particular case. Such knowledge is necessary, first of all, in order not to damage the coating of the car when washing it. For the same purpose, they use car shampoo, which cleans it on the outside, as well as a stain remover, which removes dirt from the inside.

As for the types of contaminants covering the body, there are two types:

  • organic. These are waste products of various organisms. These include fat, traces of bird and animal feces, remains of fruits and plant leaves.
  • inorganic. These include dirt, dust, and small stones.

In some cases different types contaminants can mix or cover the car body in different layers. Naturally, in this case it is necessary to select individually for each type of contaminant the appropriate methods and means for their removal. If you use improvised means, you will not be able to remove dirt, since the same fat will not be lost with plain water.

How can you wash your car?

There are several options for choosing products intended for washing the car body. All such products ensure safety for covering its elements during washing, and are also distinguished by better treatment with detergents. Among the most common means for cleaning and washing a car are:

  • sponges;
  • rags;
  • brushes.

In addition, various combined tools are produced, for example, a mop combined with an ice and snow scraper. Car wash brushes and other tools used for car washing must be treated with care to those parts that are cleaned or washed with their help. In addition, once the surfaces have been washed, they should not scratch, for example, in case of accidental contact with the car body.

Sponges

In the case when the car owner washes the car manually, the best option his choice of car accessory would be a car wash sponge. The fact is that it does not damage the paintwork upon contact with it, as a brush does. Typically, sponges for washing cars are made of large-pored foam rubber. It perfectly absorbs moisture, as well as car shampoos, which allows you to thoroughly wash off dirt of any type and degree of complexity.

It is worth mentioning separately about such a car accessory as a melamine sponge. The fact is that it was specially designed to combat organic pollution. For example, a melamine sponge can be used to successfully remove traces of fat or waste products of birds and animals.

Car wash brushes

In the same case, when the issue of saving car shampoos is important for the car owner, or in the case when there are stubborn stains, he should wash the car with a brush. With it, provided there are hard bristles, you can wash even wheels and rims that bear traces of asphalt and tar.

If it is necessary to wash and clean the interior, a rubber brush is used, but it should not be used to wash body parts. The fact is that such a brush can scratch the car’s paintwork with grains of sand or dirt adhering to it. Here it is better to use a different type of brush or sponge.

To wash the body, it is best to use a brush with a telescopic handle, which allows you to reach parts that are located in the most difficult to reach places. Such a water supply device can often be found in car washes. In any case, you need to take a soft, fluffy brush, and not a hard one with a solid structure. It is impossible to damage even a thin layer of paint or varnish with such a product.

Brushes with a water supply can not only mechanically remove dirt, but also wash it away and soften it before removal. The pressure can be adjusted as needed. As a result, you can almost perfectly wash not only flat, but also corrugated surfaces.

Napkins and rags

As for rags, experienced car owners, when asked: which rag is best to wash a car with, answer – none. Any rag scratches the paintwork due to grains of sand adhering to it. In addition, the fabric is not able to absorb as much moisture as a microfiber brush or sponge.

In the same case, when you urgently need to wipe the hood or roof of your car, it is better to use microfiber cloths. They are soft, absorb water well and do not have an abrasive effect; with their help, you can efficiently remove water stains from the surface of the body.

Automakers, as well as companies specializing in providing car wash services, have developed a list of tips that allow you to wash your car quickly and efficiently. So, if a sponge is used for washing, it must be rinsed frequently, since a large amount of water allows abrasive materials to be washed out of it. As a result, the enamel that tears the car body will not be damaged.

Another important advice– never use improvised means to wash your car. Use only high-quality materials and specialized shampoos. Handy rags, washing powder and dishwashing liquid can damage the paint and also leave difficult-to-remove stains on the enamel.

A car washing brush cannot be used to remove snow from the surface of the glass, as well as the hood or body. Required in mandatory use a special brush. It has specially split ends that will allow you to sweep away snow without scratching your car. Glass is cleared of ice and snow using scrapers with rubber or foam padding.

Separately, it is worth noting the need to wash the wheels while washing the car. A lot of dirt accumulates on their inside, which becomes compacted over time and upsets the balance with its weight. In general, the washing procedure must be carried out once a week in order for the car to be perfectly clean.

conclusions

Washing a car is a mandatory procedure included in the list of works for its maintenance. You can wash your car using several devices, but it is best to use sponges, and to combat stubborn stains, brushes with water supply. In this case, you will remove even the most stubborn dirt from the surface of the vehicle without damaging the paintwork.

There are a lot of varieties of brushes for car washing, and of course they have different purposes. But in self-wash There is one caveat: you need to know exactly the scope of its application. And also take into account that Using low-quality materials can damage the coating of the machine. And therefore, to prevent this from happening, let’s figure out which brushes, sponges or rags are best suited for washing a car, as well as their differences.

What types of pollution are there?

I would like to note that absolutely any dirt can be washed off, but it is possible that by such actions you can harm the coating, so you need to have a set of special ones in stock detergents. Automotive experts It is recommended to get a stain remover to quickly remove dirt from inside the car and a car shampoo to clean the outside.

You need to know that on the surface of a car, dirt is formed in several layers, which can penetrate each other and affect the destruction of paint on the body. There are two types of dirt: organic And inorganic Therefore, the means, as well as the methods for removing contaminants, must be selected appropriately.

Sponges, napkins and rags for car washing

There is a lot of debate about what is more convenient for washing a car; some people think that a sponge will do, others prefer a rag, and still others use only a brush. Even if you decide to use one of these tools, you need to purchase them only in a specialized auto shop and clearly define what needs to be used where.

Sponges for cars

Basically, sponges for washing cars are made of foam rubber with large pores, which have an excellent absorbent effect, quickly and effectively washing away dirt. Car sponges differ from ordinary sponges in that large pores can trap sand and other abrasive particles, thus leaving no marks or scratching the car’s surface.

Napkins and rags

It is better not to use rags that are not intended for washing cars, because they leave scratches. The fabric cannot absorb as much liquid as a sponge does, and besides, abrasive particles can remain on the surface of the rags, which are what harm the car’s paintwork.

Motorists who carefully care for their cars choose special suede wipes for wiping the car after washing; they perfectly remove moisture and do not leave stains or streaks.

Brushes for washing a car and their purpose

Car wash brush- this is a tool consisting of a backing and thin long bristles collected together. Depending on the tasks assigned to it, the material of the pile, its shape and its hardness may differ. They can have different shapes, sizes, types of materials, or are additionally equipped with a channel for water supply. The scope of application will depend on these characteristics. To learn more about the types of brushes, their characteristics and purpose, check out the list below.

Type of brush Application area
Glass Body Salon Wheels
Telescopic brush for a hose with a tap for water supply
Wax brush with folding handle
Brush with nozzle and hose connection
Rubber brush
Telescopic brush with silicone water remover and foam strip
Round brush

Types of brushes and their purpose:

  1. and its wheels should be made of hard pile. It will cope perfectly with dirt, residues of tar and bitumen, salt and regents, which are usually sprinkled on roads in winter.
  2. Rubber brush Designed for cleaning inside the car. It is not recommended to wash the outside of the car with it, because it collects solid particles that scratch the coating. A rubber brush removes pet hair and stubborn food residues quite well.

  3. . The working surface is made in the form of a soft sponge, which is covered with a mesh; there is also a water catcher, which removes all the water from the surface of the glass.
  4. Brushes with bristles made of a fairly soft material, their tips are mostly fluffed; even without water supply, they ensure the safe removal of complex contaminants from the paintwork of the body. The soft-grip handle makes it easy to use and securely held in your hand.

  5. Car washing brush under the hose. It would be better if it had a telescopic handle, as well as a water pressure regulator. Having soft fluffy bristles at the end, it will not scratch even the most delicate surface. When the hose is connected, water is supplied directly to the working part of the brush. This type of brush is used for washing car bodies.

  6. Universal sponge brushes made from microfiber. The brush consists of a rectangular base to which twisted microfiber threads are attached; they form the fluffiness and give it softness. On opposite side An elastic strap is attached at the base, which also helps to secure the sponge brush on your hand.

    These brushes are very convenient for cleaning the car from dirt, dust, and also for washing the windows and body. There is also another variation of this brush - a mitten with microfiber threads; it is fixed on the hand with an elastic cuff.

  7. Telescopic brush for washing may be useful not only for winter time, for convenient removal of snow, but also in summer just for regular car washing.

It is better to wash with a brush or sponge

Some drivers prefer to use a sponge, others a brush. The sponge may leave scratches on your vehicle, but if you decide to do this experiment anyway, then you need to rinse it very often in water so that grains of sand and other dirt do not remain in the pores.

Brushes are better use when washing mirrors, wheels, glass, radiator gratings and other elements. In order to wash the body to remove dirt, experts recommend that you wet the car before doing this. feeding it with water high pressure , without the use of detergents. Only after this can chemicals be applied. It is also recommended to clean the surface from coarse dirt with a rotating brush.

Opinions differ on the use of certain items for washing, so everyone chooses the final decision on what is best to wash their car for themselves, but keep in mind the above mentioned remark. We can only give a few tips that can help you with this.

Car washing rules

How to polish a car

Instructions for polishing a car body consist of 3 stages: washing, using abrasive pastes(from coarse to fine), rubbing with a non-abrasive paste. It is quite difficult to polish a car well and correctly by hand without a machine.

How to flush the engine cooling system

There are at least 4 ways to flush the engine cooling system. One of them is to rinse the outer part with ordinary water, but it is better to rinse the inside with a solution containing citric acid or special means

It would seem that washing the car body is enough simple procedure, but this is only true in terms of technical execution. Qualified cleaning requires certain skills and knowledge, otherwise you can damage the paintwork.

REMEMBER: you will spend less labor if you wash the car immediately after the trip, when the dirt has not yet dried, but be sure to wait until the hood cools down, since sudden cooling with water may cause microcracks to form in the coating. For the same reason, do not wash your car in direct sunlight in the summer.

It is better to start washing the car from the very top (from the roof) to the bottom, after which you can proceed to the windows, then to the body and wheels. Straightaway automobile need to rinse with plain water so that all the dirt becomes soft and is washed off better. Because, upper layer pollution is usually comprises various mixtures organics and silicate particles, it can be removed from the car quite simply - with a stream of water. Under this layer is formed particulate film, such as: traffic fumes, oil, asphalt and insects that break on the body, (resin, tar) and tree resin ().

After which you can use a sponge to wash off the main layer of dirt. Using only one sponge, you are unlikely to cope with this task; in order for it to wash well, you need to apply a special car shampoo, then the film will dissolve and you can simply knock it off with water.

It is strictly prohibited to use cleaning products for tiles or dishes, which can have a rather aggressive effect on the condition of the paintwork.

If you wash your car outside, it is better to do it in the shade of buildings or trees, so that the water does not evaporate so quickly, and you do not have to remove the dirt and foam later with other available means. When washing a car, it is advisable to use cold or warm water, but not hot. The difference in temperature between the body and the water should not be more than 15-20 °C. It is especially important to comply temperature regime washing should be done during the cold season.

Concerning third layer in the car- it's simple oxide of the paint itself and polishes which may remain after washing. Exactly underneath there are microparticles of the coating with destruction. You can get rid of two layers using compounds that contain abrasives (after using them, it is advisable to cover the car with polish.

After the car is washed with shampoo and treated with polishing agents, if necessary, you can rub it with a suede sponge or rag. Washing your car frequently is not recommended., just once a week is enough. A in winter the total is less, but this must be done efficiently, because we do not forget that the roads are covered with salt and other corrosive compounds.

Any motorist can wash the first two layers without any problems, but if we talk about better cleaning, it is best to contact specialized centers. But in order to cope with it independently various types dirt on the body, observe simple rules.

After all that has been said above, I would like to offer a few useful tips, with which you can quickly and efficiently wash your car:

  1. When washing your car with a sponge, rinse it frequently in clean water, this will help remove abrasive particles from it and significantly reduce the possibility of damage to the paintwork.
  2. You only need to wash the car by special means. Do not use conventional synthetic detergents or soaps.
  3. To clean a car in winter, you need to use brushes that carefully remove snow, so-called sweeping brushes, they have split bristles at the ends, which is why they are very gentle on the surface. You can also purchase a special scraper that will help you remove large snow caps. This should be done using scrapers with rubberized or foam padding.
  4. Also, do not forget about the wheels, as a rule, with inside rims dirt accumulates, which after some time of accumulation can upset the balance. As a result, not only runout appears, but also a real risk emergency situation on road. To avoid this, clean on time and don’t wait until the last moment.
  5. If you notice on paint coating oxidation and shine, it is advisable to carry out after washing and wiping protective polishing. For example, colorless or color-enriched polishes that contain wax, as a rule, level the surface and mask microcracks.
  6. You need to wipe the car with suede; it absorbs water well, does not leave fibers on the body and at the same time rubs and polishes waxes.

The range of brushes is quite large, everyone can choose the option they like, but you always need to remember what the consequences can be if you wash your car with materials not specifically designed for this. Of course, the choice of car care products is yours. But in order to avoid harm and for the washing to be effective, you need to buy only high-quality materials for removing dirt.

Many of us wash our cars ourselves, some in the country, some near a private house (), and the rest in specially designated areas. After the main dirt has been washed away, the body needs to be wiped dry, and so that there are no streaks left. A special rag, which is now sold in large quantities in auto and regular hardware stores, will help us with this. But not all types are the same, some clean really well, leaving no dirty marks, but others all leave large stains - so which one to choose? Today short review


If you initially divide the rags, it turns out that there are only two types - those made from natural materials and those made from artificial ones, made specifically for wiping.

Natural options

There is no secret here, there are only two of them:

1) These are fabric options, consisting of cotton with the addition of wool. They are very rare, but they do occur, I have seen them myself. The disadvantages include poor cleaning of the surface until a dry rag really leaves no streaks. But as soon as it gains moisture, they appear on the entire surface. The only plus is that these options are the cheapest.

2) Made from genuine suede (suede leather). Such options are durable, wipe the body quite well, because they absorb excess moisture. However, such rags have a big disadvantage: they dry out very much, after which they can crack and collapse, and therefore it is better to always keep them damp. In a special tube.

To be honest, the guys, “natural” rags, are losing to their “artificial” counterparts. They are no longer so effective in the “field” of wiping, and therefore I advise you to look at the second type.

Artificial options

It should be noted that now there are many types of them, from very cheap to really expensive and high quality. Personally, I have two such rags, one was bought by me, the second was given to me as a birthday gift, because I myself would not have bought it (it’s very darling is okay 1000 rubles).

1) Cheap rag . Also sold in a tube, it is advisable to keep it moist. Consists of rubberized - foam material.

They remove moisture well, but with stains, not everything is so perfect. If you get used to it, there may be no streaks left, but it is not always possible to remove it the first time. Quite “tenacious”; if it dries, it becomes hard; as soon as you wet it, it takes its toll working condition. A small minus - it is not resistant to mechanical damage, even to minimal levels, if you “touch” it, the foam layer begins to come off, and if you wipe the surface too hard, it can leave small hairs - fibers.

It is not expensive (the cheapest of all, from 100 to 200 rubles), sold in yellow tubes in almost all auto stores, as well as in any supermarket.

2) Perforated cloth. Almost the same as the first option, however, it has small perforations (holes on the surface). It's even more foamy. To be honest, drying it out just kills it (it crumbles), meaning it always needs to be kept wet. Therefore, you need to think about your purchase.

3) Faux suede . For a car this is the most the best option, made from 100% polyvinyl.

when drying, it does not deform - it does not dry out, just wet it and it is ready for use again. It wipes better than anyone else; stains really don’t remain on the car body or windows.

One disadvantage, which I already wrote about, is the high price of this device. Personally, I would think several times before buying the option for 1000 rubles; you can buy five regular ones.

Of course, there are also synthetic fabric options, which also cost a penny, but they do not wipe the body as effectively, and stains are still noticeable. Therefore, I will not advise them to you.

Now let’s take a look at a short video comparing two of my car rags.

That's all, buy it correctly, then they will serve you for a very long time.

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Washing your favorite car is a whole philosophy...

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Grab a universal napkin for wiping mirrors and glass of not only cars, but also electronics. The set contains 10 excellent rags in individual packaging with an unusual texture. The size of the product is 18*15 cm. It turned out to be a great assistant - the car windows shine!

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