7 Suggestions for That Post-Summer Wash and Wax

Sap, sun, sand, and bugs--not to mention bird droppings--threaten your car’s finish all summer long. Even if you’ve been less than diligent keeping up appearances, an end of summer detail can set things right.

“If you don’t get that stuff off your vehicle, it could bond and in some cases scratch or etch the surface,” said Mike Pennington, director of training at Meguiar’s, Inc.

Neglecting contaminants can cause oxidation, dulling, and rough surfaces. Frequent car care and wax protection helps prevent contaminants from bonding to paint. Yet, simply wiping it down with a towel is not recommended as the contaminants can become trapped in the fiber and scratch painted surfaces.

Use products specifically intended for cleaning vehicles, Pennington said. Cheap towels, t-shirts and diaper cloths can cause swirls or microscratches. Dirt particles trapped by fibers can act like sandpaper across the surface.

Pennington offered the following recommendations:

• Use sheepskin or microfiber wash mitts to pull dirt away from the surface and into tightly woven filaments.
   
• Get a car wash product to loosen contaminants and avoid scratching. Warning: Avoid dish soap. Degreasing agents in dish soap remove wax, damage paint finish and degrade rubber.
   
• Apply vehicle wax to create a thin film between the environment and the clear coat. Carnauba formulas and synthetic polymer waxes are common.
   
• Choose the type of wax most suited to your application. For example, natural waxes offer excellent protection but typically do not last as long as a synthetic product.
   
• Use a chamois, quality terry cloth towel, or even a microfiber drying cloth with a thick nap for drying.
   
• Apply tire cleaner and a stiff brush to improve tire appearance.
   
• Get wheel cleaner to remove corrosive brake dust and road grime.