Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1072992
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 20 JANUARY 2019 MOTORING M6 YOU probably don't know that a lot of common cleaning techniques actually damage your car. 1. Taking your car to a car wash This may be the least obvious one but it could be the one causing the most dam- age out there. The rotating brushes in car washes are full of dirt and that dirt will scratch your car. Not only that, but the high pressure washes often cause scratches. The pressure can be too high and a lot contain abrasive particles in the water that do help clean your car easi- er, but inevitably leave more and more scratches on your vehicle. 2. Cleaning your car in direct sunlight Not only is it harder to spot dirty streaks in direct sunlight but the im- mense heat will cause the water you are using to clean your car to evaporate be- fore you clean it off and therefore leave nasty dirt spots. Wait for the sun to go down or wash your car in the shade when it's not too hot outside. 3. Using dish detergent on your car All these products severely damage the wax coating and do more harm than good. Also, a lot of kitchen cleaning products and de-greasers are not pH bal- anced and not only would they remove your wax coating, but would also dam- age your clear coat, leaving the paint fully exposed to the weather and outside par- ticles whilst driving. After using dish soap a few times your car paint will start deteriorating fast and unless protected soon it would expose the car body to rust and corrosion. 4. Not using lubrication when cleaning Removing any dirt from your car with just a dry towel, no matter what type of dirt, is a big mistake. In the process of removing the dirt, the hardened dirt par- ticles will scratch not only the dirty part but the whole stroke path as you clean it. Be sure to use at least water but spray wax or any other specialised lubricant for car cleaning is best. 5. Using paper towels Avoid using paper towels, old T-shirts, dish sponges (especially the rough side) or any old bathroom towels. The only cloth you should ever use is a soft micro- fiber towel. Microfibre traps dirt deeper as you clean and won't allow it to scratch your car as you wipe it. 6. Not cleaning from top to bottom People often start cleaning the car by starting out with areas which are the most convenient for them… doors, sides and the hood. The hardest part to wash as it is hard to reach by hand completely is, of course, the roof. If you leave the roof for the end, no matter how good you clean the rest of your car, all that dirt from the roof will trickle down and ruin your hard work. Most of the dirt would also transfer through your cleaning towel and as the roof is the cleanest it makes sense to start at the top. Even if you rinse off the dirt that falls down from the roof to your previously cleaned parts of the car, dirt particles are still going to stay and they will make it easier for more dirt to build up faster. 7. Cleaning in a swirling motion It is a common understanding to clean your car in a swirling/round motion. When doing so, you're more likely to see scratches at different angles. So in- stead, pick a direction and stick to it. We recommend going from front to back – from the front of the car to the rear of the car. 8. Using only one bucket If you are soaping and rinsing in the same bucket you are causing damage af- ter the first rinse. The dirt will just cir- culate and will embed itself to your wash cloth. Not only do you risk damaging your paint, but you are also wasting your time as just rinsing in the same bucket takes more time and makes you slap the dirt back on your car so you have to rinse it after again. 9. If your towel drops to the ground, do not pick it up and use again There is no five second rule. When it comes to sharp dirt particles, they will instantly embed themselves in your cleaning towel. If you pick it up, you may as well wash your car with razor blades (note: do not wash your car with razor blades). If you don't have more cleaning micro- fiber cloths at hand, it is always best to go to the kitchen, wash it completely and only then use it on your car again. 10. Conditioning your steering wheel, gearshift or pedals Anything that makes your car control- ling parts slippery is just a bad idea. Cleaning mistakes that damage your car