But, if you're looking to save some money or you just want to spend some quality time with your car, then washing it yourself can be very rewarding - and it doesn't have to take up your entire Sunday either.
We have written down the steps for an easy and fast washing to help you make the most of your motor.
If you thought a bucket and sponge were central to a quick car wash, think again.
While it might be simple to add a cup-full of car shampoo to a bucket of warm water and use the old-fashioned wash and rinse routine, you risk damaging your car’s paintwork.
Dirt and grit can become trapped in a sponge, creating swirl marks in the paintwork.
To achieve a better result there’s a little extra legwork to be done, but don’t worry, you’ll still be home and, er, hosed in less than an hour.
What items you need
Before we explain how to wash your car, there are a few things you’ll need before you get started.
Ideally, you should arm yourself with a pressure washer, but at the very least a garden hose with a spray gun extension.
You’ll also need two buckets – yes, two buckets – along with a wash mitt, some car shampoo, and a microfibre drying towel.
That’s the very least you’ll need for a quick wash.
Give yourself at least an hour if you want to achieve good results.
Oh, and make sure no rain is expected and work in the shade if possible.
If car shampoo dries too quickly it can leave streaky marks on the bodywork.
What to do
Step one: the pre-rinse
Your first job is to pre-rinse the car.
A pressure washer is the best tool for the job, but a garden hose with a spray gun attachment will be a suitable substitute.
Starting from the top of the car, rinse the loose dirt from the body and between the panel gaps.
While you’re there, power-wash the inside of the wheel arches and alloy wheels.
In short, you’re looking to remove any loose dirt that might become trapped in the wash mitt, potentially damaging your paintwork.
Removing more dirt now will save time and effort during the wash.
Step two: the wash
Next, you’re going to need two buckets of water and a wash mitt.
Add your preferred car shampoo to one bucket, leaving the other filled with fresh water.
Starting at the top, use the mitt coated in car shampoo to wash the remaining dirt from the paintwork.
A gentle sideways motion is all that’s required. Many people think a circular motion is best, however, a sideways motion will minimize swirl marks and ensure a consistent, even application.
You might need two or more attempts at this to remove any stubborn stains.
Rinse the wash mitt in the bucket of clean water before returning to the bucket of car shampoo to continue washing the car
Step three: rinse and dry
Ιt’s now time to rinse the car, so grab your pressure-washer or hose and start from the top down. Once all the shampoo has been removed, grab a microfibre drying cloth to dry the car. These cloths are preferable to a chamois leather or water blade as there’s less chance of damaging your paintwork. Use a gentle sideways motion, or pat-dry if preferred. The entire job should take less than an hour, so it’s perfect if you’re in a hurry or don’t want to spend an entire weekend washing the car.
(www.labico.gr)
