The first step to safely detailing the exterior of a car is to perform a hand wash. Before touching the paint with a wash mitt or microfiber towel, it’s best to presoak the high-impact areas. Rinse the bumpers, rocker panels, and mirrors with a hose or pressure washer. Then apply car shampoo or an all-purpose cleaner to the damp surface. Let the product dwell for a few minutes before rinsing any heavy contamination buildup.
After removing the loose dirt and debris from the paint, the risk of inflicting any wash-induced paint blemishes will be lower. When washing a car’s paint, it’s essential to utilize two buckets and two mitts/towels to help prevent cross-contamination. After cleaning each panel, dip the mitt or towel into the rinse bucket to remove contamination before dipping it in the shampoo bucket and cleaning another panel.
Wash panels in straight-line movements, starting from the roof and finishing with the rocker panels. Using a dedicated wash mitt or microfiber towel to clean the bumpers and rocker panels will help keep even the softest paint looking great for a long time.
Expert Tip: Never wash a car when the surface is hot or in direct sunlight. Most water has minerals and other impurities that can cause water spots if it dries on the paint. In addition to water spots, some chemicals in cleaning products may dry on the paint and leave stains that will require additional effort to remove.