You want to keep your car's exterior clean, preferably factory new. So, get to work and wash your car yourself.
What does your car's exterior include?
When you start washing your car, it's important to know which parts are included. The exterior of your car includes the following parts:
- Bodywork: This is the outer frame of the car, including the panels, doors, hood, and trunk.
- Bumpers: The front and rear bumpers protect the bodywork from bumps. This can quickly lead to scratches.
- Grille: The grille at the front of the car.
- Headlights: The headlights are located at the front of the car and provide illumination of the road when driving in the dark. Over time, these can become dull. We recommend polishing the headlights.
- Taillights: These are located at the rear of the car and signal other road users when you brake, indicate a turn, or reverse.
- Mirrors: The exterior mirrors of your car, also known as side mirrors, are part of the car's exterior and should be washed.
- Windows: The windshield, side windows, and rear window are part of the exterior and provide protection from weather conditions and allow for outward visibility.
- Wheels: The wheels, including the tires and rims, are located on the sides of the car and are important for propulsion and driving comfort.
- Antenna: The antenna, usually on the roof of your car, provides reception of radio frequencies.
- Exhaust: The exhaust is located at the rear of the car and is responsible for expelling exhaust gases.
Car washing step-by-step plan
Step 1. Park the car out of the sun
Before washing the car, it's important to move it out of the sun. Also, make sure the car has cooled down. This helps prevent paint damage, improves cleaning efficiency, provides more comfort for you, and enhances the effectiveness of the cleaning products used.
Step 2: Start with the wheels
Most cars are used for commuting, which means they cover a lot of miles. As a result, you'll find that your rims get dirty over time. Spray your rims with one of our rim cleaners. For alloy wheels, use Stipt Real Effective. If the car has powder-coated, polished, or chrome rims, use Stipt Iron Remover. If you're unsure about the type of rim but still want to get started, use Stipt Iron Remover. When spraying, make sure to spray well behind the spokes. While you're at it, clean the wheel arches too.
Step 3: Clean the front (nose) of the car
Especially when the weather has been nice, you'll see a lot of insects on the front of your car. To prevent them from baking onto the paint, spray them with our Stipt Anti Insect. Then clean the sprayed surface with the Stipt Anti-Insect Wool Mitt.
Step 4: Rinse the wheels and the front of your car
Next, use a high-pressure washer to rinse the wheels and the front of your car. You'll see that most of the dirt has been removed.
Step 5: Foam your car
Now it's time for the pre-wash, our Stipt Dirt Foam. With the help of the Stipt Foam Cannon, you can foam the entire car. Note: Never let the Stipt Dirt Foam sit for longer than two minutes. Once the entire car is covered with Stipt Dirt Foam, it's important to wash the car with the Stipt Wash Glove. When washing the car, always start from the top. Using a rotating motion, work your way from back to front and from top to bottom over the entire car. Don't forget to include the small corners and the exhaust.
Our tip: Use a second car wash bucket with only water to rinse the Stipt Wash Glove.
Step 6: Rinse the car
This can be done with a high-pressure washer or simply with a garden hose. It is important to rinse the car from top to bottom. Make sure to include hard-to-reach areas.
Step 7: Time to clay your car
Wash the car with Stipt Perfect Shampoo. But this time it's time to clay the car. The advantage of car claying is that the car becomes mirror-smooth. All stubborn dirt, such as tar spots and resin, is removed by our clay towel, the Stipt 3D Clay Towel. Make sure the Stipt 3D Clay Towel is completely wet before you start claying. Add a splash of Stipt Perfect Shampoo to the Stipt Grit Bucket and submerge the Stipt 3D Clay Towel in it. For extra assurance, add another splash of Stipt Perfect Shampoo to the clay towel to ensure it glides well.
Step 8: Extra attention for the rims
The rims have already received attention, but not all dirt residues have been removed. Therefore, we advise you to clean them thoroughly using our rim brush, the Stipt Wheel Brush, and the Stipt Precision Detail Brushes for the hard-to-reach nooks and crannies. You can really get in there without damaging the rims. This prevents the rims from getting burnt-in stains.
Step 9: Rinse the wheels and the car
This can be done with a high-pressure cleaner or simply with a garden hose.
Step 10: Dry the car
After washing the car, dry it with a professional drying towel, preferably the Stipt Dry Towel XXL, Stipt Giant Dry Towel or Stipt King Dry Towel. Work in sections and from top to bottom again.
Step 11: Protect your car
After cleaning, you can apply a paint sealant using Stipt Ultra Paint Protect. Then, apply a thin layer of Stipt Ultra Paint Protect to a dry car and buff it out with the Stipt Applicator Set. Let it dry for five to ten minutes. After five to ten minutes, you can mist the car with Stipt Ceramic Wax. You spray Stipt Ceramic Wax onto the wet car. Its strong hydrophobic character provides water-repellent properties and extra protection against UV radiation. Additionally, it offers extra protection against acid rain and Stipt Ceramic Wax gives your car's paint a deeper shine. Then, buff out the Stipt Ceramic Wax with the Stipt Wax Towel.
Step 12: Extra shine
If your car has a high-gloss paint finish, you can make it shine even more. Do this using Stipt High Gloss Spray. Mist it onto the paint and then buff it out with the Stipt Wax Towel.
What are the benefits of a clean exterior?
The advantage of regularly washing your car is not only for aesthetics but also for its lifespan. First and foremost, people look at how shiny your car is, if there are no dirty spots/deposits, and if there are no rust spots. A clean car looks more attractive. Thoroughly washing your car removes dirt, stains, and other buildup. If you want to sell your car, you'll get more money for it if it's clean than if it's dirty. These are costs that the buyer would otherwise incur. So always make sure that if you plan to sell your car someday, you maintain it well and wash it regularly. In addition, a clean exterior helps prevent paint damage. Good paint protection, in the form of paint sealant, reduces the risk of rust formation, discoloration, and corrosion.
Frequently asked questions about car washing
Can I wash my car in the street?
It is important to know that the rules regarding washing your car on the street depend on the municipality in which you live. Unfortunately, it depends on the municipality where you live whether you are allowed to wash your car on the street. If there is a ban, you can usually find it in the General Local Ordinance (APV) of the municipality in question. If you are in doubt, please contact the municipality in which you live.
How often should I wash my car?
Our advice is to wash your car at least once a week, especially if it is used frequently and parked outside. Generally, the advice is to thoroughly wash your car once a month.
