Final cleaning of the car after washing
Despite the state-of-the-art car wash, it is necessary to clean the car after it. Washing brushes often carelessly process wheel arches, wheels and door sills. Door frames and body folds must be cleaned by hand with a sponge and cloth. In winter, when water containing salt is deposited on the paintwork, the inner surfaces of the wheel arches and on the bottom, visit the automatic car wash more often. And while your Fiesta will quickly get dirty again, there's no chance for rust to take hold.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
Drying brakes after car wash
After washing the car, be sure to dry the brakes - do a few test braking. This evaporates the water trapped between the brake linings and discs.
After a long drive in rainy weather or winter, dry the brakes before parking for a long time. To do this, it is enough to slow down slightly on the last 100 m of the way before parking. This «exercise» eliminates wet deposits of dirt on brake discs and drums, which, when braking, increases the time for applying the brakes.
Do-it-yourself car wash
If you want to wash your car on your own, find out if a car wash is available. Do-it-yourself washing machines are also a good alternative: in addition to the usual tools, such machines even offer high-pressure cleaners and other ancillary equipment that will make your cleaning much easier. Before starting work, be sure to check the condition of the brushes. Maybe your predecessor just cleaned the bottom or wheel arches with them, and the brushes are contaminated with coarse dirt particles. As a consequence, scratches can be applied to the paint surface of your car body. Never wash your car in bright sunlight. This is detrimental to paintwork as small water droplets act like magnifying glasses - dust particles and lime can «take a liking» to the painted surface.
If you wash your car yourself
If you wash your car yourself, you must have the following:
- enough water. If the dirt is removed with insufficient water, then small particles of dust and sand can get on the sponge and form small scratches on the paintwork surface;
- a garden hose with a nozzle or at least two buckets of water;
- a brush on a hose that washes away dirt;
- after every second or third wipe, completely immerse washing gloves or a sponge in a bucket of water and wring out so that dirt does not accumulate in the pile or pores;
- a brush with a long handle for cleaning hard-to-reach places - rims and wheel arches;
- sponge with large pores, ideal for washing large surfaces;
- sponge for removing insects from glass;
- a large piece of natural suede for wiping windows, which polishes the glass and dries the paint surface;
- buckets for washing with car shampoo or rinsing a special suede cloth for glasses.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
The most efficient modes of operation of the pressure washer
The water temperature should not exceed 60°C. Too hot water will damage rubber parts and underbody protection.
Pic. 3.4. Using a high pressure washer to wash your car
The pressure regulator must be set to a maximum pressure of 30 bar. The distance to the vehicle is between 60 and 80 cm. If the distance is too short and the pressure is too high, there is a risk of damage to the paintwork of your car (pic. 3.4).
When washing the engine, water can destroy the engine control electronics or enter the engine through the intake tract, causing serious damage to the engine.
Never wash tires with a strong water jet as there is a risk of damage to the side edges of the tires.
Even at a relatively large jet distance from the surface, after a short time, damage can occur that is imperceptible at first glance.
TECHNICAL DICTIONARY
External car wash
Car shampoo.
Helps to easily remove oil stains from the paintwork.
Protective car shampoo.
It has the properties of a car shampoo, but after drying, it protects the paintwork from atmospheric influences and prolongs the period of the next polishing.
Rim cleaner.
Removes stubborn brake dust and road grime.
Plastic care product.
Along with cleaning components, it also contains dyes. Refreshes faded plastic bumpers. Apply and spread with a clean sponge. Residues are removed with a soft cloth.
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