Choose the right tools for cleaning your ride

A set of quality tools can help make a job go faster and better whether you are building a house or washing your car.

So says Lane Pietro, a car care professional who spent years applying elbow grease to a wide range of makes and models. Pietro quickly discovered how car care tools made jobs go faster. And the results were better, too.

"Using the right tools helps prevent damage," said Pietro, who turned his passion into an on-line business called Lane's Professional Car Products. "A vehicle is a big investment. You can help maintain your vehicle's value by using quality tools and following some basic cleaning techniques."

The St. Louis native tested a variety of tools during harsh Midwest winters. Customers often delivered vehicles covered with salty grime, mud and road grit. The jobs required soft tools that lifted contaminants without scratching.

"A lot of people will grab anything to clean their vehicles," Pietro said. "If you use the wrong things, it could be abrasive and—before you know it—you've got a hairline scratch."

How do you choose the right set of tools for basic vehicle maintenance?

Hundreds of tools are available but not all of them are suited for use by nonprofessionals, Pietro said. He suggested the following items for anyone who wants a basic car care toolkit:

• Hose nozzle with multiple spray settings. Use heavy streams for prewashing and light settings that rinse but don't splatter soapy or acidic cleaners.
• Microfiber mitts with small fibers that can trap particles. This helps prevent contaminants from acting like sand across the surface of your vehicle. Mitts or pads with large fibers can cause swirls and microscratches since particles remain near the cleaning surface, Pietro said.
• Waterblades that make quick work of drying your vehicle. Look for tools specifically designed for automobile exteriors. They also help prevent water spots when drying a vehicle in hot weather, Pietro said.
• Soft wheel brush that can clean spokes and wheel grooves. Make sure they are designed for vehicles since wheels often have painted or clear coat surfaces. Also, used a wheel cleaner to help remove brake dust, which can cause pitting.
• Vent & dash brush that can reach small spaces such as vent grilles. Pietro often sprays auto cleaner on the brush to help remove dust, pollen and other contaminants.
• Dual head brush. Built like a two-sided toothbrush, these tools help you clean gear shifters and gaps behind the steering column.

"A nice looking vehicle gives you pride of ownership," Pietro said. "It makes you feel better about yourself."