ChrisFix - Top 10 Car Cleaning Mistakes

Short Summary

Main recommendation: Avoid common car-cleaning mistakes by using gentle, proper technique: skip automatic car washes on good paint, clean in shade with automotive soap, use lubrication, use only soft microfiber, clean top to bottom in one direction, use two buckets, and dry with microfiber. The video, titled "Top 10 Car Cleaning Mistakes," lists ten specific errors and their fixes.

Key Points

• The ten mistakes, as listed in the video:
  1. Taking your car to a car wash, which can scratch the finish, even touchless washes.
  2. Cleaning in direct sunlight or when the car is hot, causing water marks.
  3. Using dish soap or degreaser instead of automotive soap, which strips wax and may damage the clearcoat.
  4. Not using lubrication when cleaning, such as when removing bird droppings.
  5. Using paper towels, old T-shirts, sponges, or bath towels on paint.
  6. Not cleaning from the top of the car to the bottom.
  7. Cleaning in a swirling motion instead of one direction.
  8. Using only one bucket instead of a separate rinse bucket.
  9. Picking up a towel that was dropped on the ground and reusing it.
  10. Putting Armor-All or leather/vinyl cleaner on the steering wheel, pedals, or shifter, which makes them slippery.
• This is already accurately stated elsewhere, but note the summary's bullet 1 omits the nuance that car washes are 'guaranteed to scratch' only matters for cars you care about; no change needed here beyond consistency.

Details Worth Noting

• Concrete instructions:
  • Wash in the cooler part of the day or in shade, not in hot direct sun.
  • Use a pH-balanced automotive soap that foams well, not dish soap or degreaser.
  • Clean out the bucket before use so dirt is not reintroduced.
  • Spray lubricant on bird droppings before wiping, and remove them promptly because bird droppings contain acid.
  • Keep the car soaking wet and use soapy water on the towel; if using a power washer, hold your hand in front of it and avoid it if it hurts.
  • Wash the rims first with a separate microfiber towel and a wheel cleaner, never using the paint towel on them.
  • Wash the top half first, then the bottom, splitting the car at the turn-signal line; snap the towel out before use to shake off loose debris.
  • Wash in one direction, front to back.
  • Use two buckets: a soap bucket and a rinse bucket filled with plain water; rinse the towel in the rinse bucket before re-soaping.
  • Dry with a absorbent microfiber cloth, in one direction, with light pressure, using a fresh section after a few passes, top to bottom.
  • Once a towel touches the ground, stop using it.
  • Spray leather or vinyl protectant onto a paper towel rather than directly onto surfaces, and keep it off steering wheels, pedals, and shifters.
• The presenter says black paint is especially difficult to clean because scratches show easily.
• The presenter invites viewers to share additional mistakes in the comments, noting the list is not exhaustive.

Bottom Line

Most car-cleaning damage comes from abrasive tools, harsh products, and careless technique, so gentle, methodical washing with proper supplies prevents most scratches and finish loss.