How To Wash a Car

When you’re driving around Westlake Village and Agoura Hills in a new Porsche model, you want to ensure that it not only looks great, but it does so for years to come. Washing a car isn’t just an exercise in vanity! Washing your car helps keep your paint and bodywork free from contaminants, and helps prevent corrosion over time. If you’re wondering how to wash a car, our team at Porsche Westlake will help you learn how to keep your Porsche looking great with our service tips!

Basic: Rinse and Wash

The first step in learning how to wash a car is thoroughly rinsing your vehicle with water to loosen dirt and grime. After you’ve fully rinsed off your car, use two buckets – one with just water, and one that has a mix of water and soap. Dunk your wash mitt into the soapy water and then apply the suds to your vehicle gently in a circular motion. Work panel by panel, cleaning your wash mitt or cloth in the water bucket after each section. Make sure to wash the soap off the surface of your vehicle with a hose when you’re done cleaning each panel. To keep your windows looking their best, use an ammonia-free cleaning solution made just for car windows. When considering how to wash a car, you should always opt for specialized car products over ordinary household cleaners, as they are less likely to inadvertently damage your vehicle.

Advanced: Clay Bar and Compound Application

While a regular wash will be enough for most jobs in Westlake Village, dealing with issues like tree sap or tar splatter will require a bit of gentle abrasion or some light application-specific solvents. You can gently buff away such contaminants with a clay bar or waxing pad and buffing compound. This requires more effort and will require a sealant polish, but it’s worth taking care of once a year.

Full Detail: Apply Car Polish

For those who want to go the extra mile, you can finish off with car polish. This step is optional if you’re only washing, but it’s required if you use a clay bar and buffing compound, as this will seal your paint from contaminants. Apply the solution with an orbital buffer or a soft towel; the buffer will complete the job faster, but the towel will deliver a cleaner final result. If you do use a buffer, just be mindful of debris that can get caught between the pad and your vehicle, as it can lead to scratches.

How Often To Wash a Car

While some will wait until they’ve driven through Malibu for months and their vehicle is excessively dirty. However, this is certainly not advised – especially when it’s a highly-engineered Porsche model. Regardless, how often to wash a car depends entirely on how often you drive and where it’s driven. Every eight to twelve months you should go for a deep cleaning with wax and polish to ensure that your paint is sealed off from the elements and repels water. As for regular washes in between those deep cleanings, once every week to once a month will cover most drivers who daily-drive their vehicles through Thousand Oaks.

Porsche Westlake Takes Care of More Than Just Your Car

Are you gearing up for your next car wash, or would you like to take care of your Porsche detailing at Porsche Westlake in Thousand Oaks? When you’re ready to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us online today! We’re here to teach you about everything from Porsche maintenance to Porsche racing. Also be sure to learn more about the difference between wheel alignment and balance.