Practical tips for cleaning cars in a heatwave

With long hot summers becoming the norm we may have to adapt the cars we drive and the way we look after them. The good news is that convertibles are now more practical than ever, even though manufacturers are turning away from them. Obviously air conditioning will be increasingly essential and maybe improved wipers and lighting to deal with heavy rain.

But that is for manufacturers to decide and I’m sure that they are working on it. In the meantime Autoglym have produced some advice for cleaning your car in drought conditions.

In extreme heat and bright sunlight, natural contaminants like bird lime and tree blossom, as well as road grime and complex water-resistant chemicals such as suncreams, can adhere stubbornly to painted and plastic surfaces, requiring extra care to remove without causing damage.

The following tips have been devised by Autoglym’s experts who train professional valeters and detailers responsible for cleaning thousands of cars each year in all weathers.

Top tips for heatwave-friendly car care

1. Rise and shine. Wash the car in the shade when the paintwork is cool; early mornings are ideal
2. Use a dedicated pre-wash spray to loosen the worst of the dirt, then rinse thoroughly
3. Tackle wheels before bodywork to avoid the worst grime flying onto clean bodywork
4. Wash using the two-bucket method – one filled with soapy water, one with clean water so you can rinse your mitt and avoid reapplying dirt to the car
5. Use specialist detergents if you encounter stubborn stains like tar or bird lime
6. Rinse and repeat – wash in sections and rinse from the top down. To clear soapy water from nooks and crannies, notably within the wheels, use a pressure washer or pump sprayer
7. Watch out for water spotting – dry the car before the sun does by using a clean microfibre or drying towel
8. Between washes, deploy a detailing spray to avoid having to do a full clean so frequently
9. If it is too warm for a full car wash, consider a quick clean of the glass and light units to maintain good visibility and keep the car looking presentable
10. Apply protection to your paintwork to resist the grime, making the next clean much easier to perform

For more information visit www.autoglym.com.

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