How to Wash a Black Car (Step by Step)
Proper washing technique and a few protective measures can go a long way in protecting your shiny new black paint.
1) Wash your vehicle.
Before you do anything, your vehicle needs to be wet. Soap and water have a lubricating effect, so contaminants like dried mud or bird droppings are less likely to scratch your car. If any part of your car dries out while you’re washing it, rinse it again to keep it damp. This also helps prevent water stains. 2) Get two buckets
If you’re planning on washing a black car, you really do need two buckets. With the two-bucket method, you get clean, soapy water from the first bucket, wash your car, and rinse your sponge off in the dirty bucket.
Fill both buckets with water and the other with soap. The soapy bucket is your clean bucket. Dip your sponge into the clean, soapy bucket, shake the soap out and the sponge will become very slippery. The two-bucket method keeps contaminants away from the sponge and paint.
3) Wash from top to bottom
The bottom of your car is the dirtiest. Washing these first will greatly increase the chances of scratching your car. Your bucket and sponge will pick up even more dirt.
Grab a soapy sponge and start washing your roof. Don’t use too much pressure on the sponge. Use cleaning clay to remove stains that don’t come off with regular washing. Insect splatter and tar are good examples of contaminants that often need to be removed using cleaning clay.
Work from top to bottom. Once the roof and glass are done, move on to the doors and top of the hood. Work your way down until you reach the bottom of the vehicle. When washing your car, follow the lines of the vehicle. On the hood, pull the sponge from the windshield to the bumper. On the sides, pull the sponge from the fender to the rear side panel.
Do not use the sponge in a circular motion. If light scratches remain in the paint, washing in a circular motion will make the scratches more noticeable. Save the rear of the vehicle for last. The rear and side skirts are usually the dirtiest painted areas.
4) Wash the wheels and exhaust
Save the wheels, tires and exhaust for last. Wheels not only collect dirt, but also brake dust which can be difficult to remove.
Exhaust tips can collect carbon deposits, especially on direct injection cars. It’s okay to use a second sponge on the wheels and exhaust. Wash the wheels first, then the exhaust.
5) Rinse the soap off
Agitate the dirt with the sponge and most of it should come right off. Be careful not to be violent; if something is on the paint, you’ll almost certainly scratch the paint if you try to scrub it off. If you are in an air-conditioned indoor environment, the soap and water may stay wet for a long time. Otherwise, you may need to rinse each panel in between. Do not let the soap and water dry as this can cause water spots.
6) Dry Your Vehicle Now that your car is clean, it’s time to dry it out. If you use a towel, be sure to use a high-quality microfiber towel. Do not press into the paint to dry the vehicle. Place the towel on the surface of the vehicle and drag it over the surface of the vehicle using only the weight of the towel.
Just like washing, pull the towel from front to back. Do not use a circular motion as the swirl pattern will be very noticeable. You will need to clean the paint off with a dry cloth. If not, you’ve either missed a spot or you need to use a bit more soap next time.
7) Cleaning Clay Stains Sometimes stubborn stains are still visible even after a thorough wash. Consider this a good thing – it means you weren’t too rough with your sponge or dry cloth.
Dip the panel completely into the detailing spray and, using light pressure, rub the cleaning clay onto the paint. If the play-dough gets dirty, fold it over to expose a clean surface.
When you’re finished, dry the area with a clean microfiber towel. Repeat for each contaminated plate. Clay blocks are also good for removing paint transfers, scratches, tree sap, and other contaminants.
8) Sand if necessary.
Sanding is an optional step and should only be used if you notice imperfections that need to be corrected. Deeper scratches are best left to the professionals, but lighter scratches can be removed with a store-bought polish and a little care, so be sure to follow the directions on the product label.
9) Wax
Now that your paint is nice and clean, you’ll want to apply a layer of quality wax to protect against the sun’s damaging UV rays. Wax is the most common protective layer and is easy to apply. Apply some wax to a microfiber applicator. Rub the wax onto each panel, then wipe off excess with a clean, dry microfiber towel.
How to Make Hand Washing a Car Easier
For the uninitiated, these hand washing steps can seem a bit daunting. Fortunately, there are several optional steps that will make washing your black car much easier.
If you follow these steps, it may be possible to give your vehicle a good, quick wash without ever laying a hand on your vehicle. Dirt and grime will melt right off the car if you use these additional tools.
Use a Foam Cannon
A foam cannon is used before the washing step. Presoaking the vehicle with a soapy foam allows the foam to break down some of the dirt. This makes it easier to remove when you go to put a soapy sponge on the vehicle.
Use a Pressure Washer
A pressure washer is an excellent way to remove stubborn contaminants (bugs, bird droppings, etc.) without touching the vehicle’s paint.
It can be used instead of a plain garden hose, but be sure not to set the pressure too high. It’s wise to not exceed 2,000 PSI for automotive applications, otherwise you may risk damaging your paint.
Use a Leaf Blower
You might get some funny looks from your neighbors, but using a leaf blower completely eliminates the need to touch your vehicle during the drying step. Less contact means less risk of swirls and scratches.
Flare-tipped or flatted nozzles are ideal for drying a car and work better than large round nozzles.
Get a Ceramic Coating
Ceramic coating courtesy of Andy’s Auto Care Plus in Albany, OR
Ceramic coating is a new development in the automotive industry, and one of the best ways you can protect your vehicle. A ceramic coating is a hard, protective outer layer that replaces the traditional waxing step. It is hydrophobic, resistant to scratches, and has a strong chemical resistance.
A ceramic coated vehicle is much easier to wash, especially when paired with a pressure washer.
Tips from a Professional Detailer
Still have some questions about proper car washing technique? Here’s an in-depth video from a professional on all the steps you need to take to properly wash your vehicle.
