Public Servant Lifestyle

If you stroll around an average British suburb on a warm Sunday afternoon, you are almost certain to see hordes of proud car owners cleaning their cherished products from the Bavarian Motor Werks or sleek Japanese GTs.

But what is not always clear when cleaning a car is the best technique and what products to use for that sparkling showroom effect. Following a standard procedure for individual types of cars could not only preserve the showroom look of the car, but also save you valuable time. Choosing the Product

Traditionally, washing the Winnibego involved sloshing some kitchen detergent into a bucket of warm water, borrowing the bathroom sponge and applying some elbow grease.

But what should be realised is that kitchen detergent is meant only for removing animal fats from dishes. And using kitchen products will only increase the number of times you will need to re- wax the car. Always try to use valeting products designed specifically for cars.

The Exterior

Before you start make sure to put your car in the shade; long periods of sunlight will heat the metal and inevitably increase the evaporation of any cleaning products used.

Many products contain gloss enhancers that give the car a real gleam. Some products may even contain a form of soluble wax. These products are usually used with cool water as hot water only softens the wax; never use dirty water. The idea with washing a car is to remove as much dirt as possible with a little amount of wax.

Do not use powdered products, where granules can get stuck on the sponge and scratch the paintwork.

Start with the roof and wash small areas, and then move onto the boot, the sides and the bonnet, rinsing them thoroughly. Clean door handles, mirror cavities, window surrounds and mouldings. Make sure to clean under plastic and chrome mouldings on the car - good breeding grounds for the dreaded ferrous oxide (rust).

Again, don't use dirty rags that could scratch the paintwork. Try not to let the car drip dry, as this will leave evaporation marks. Wipe the car with a chamois to soak up excess water. Once the car is dry you can move to the waxing process.

Minor scratches can be removed with a modern polishing glaze made specifically for clear coat finishes.

For major scratches or marks always seek professional advice and get the job done properly.

Waxing

Waxing a car protects the finish and keeps the shine. But it needs to be done regularly. If you use too much it can have a corrosive effect on bodywork. Try to use non-abrasive wax and do small areas at a time (abrasive waxes should only be used by professionals as they remove oxidisation by removing layers of paint).

Apply the wax in a swirling motion. As the wax dries, wipe off the residue with a cloth. Finally, buff the waxed area with a fresh cloth. When one cloth becomes clogged with wax replace it with a clean one.

The Wheels

Use a power hose: this will blast the dirt from the wheel arches. If you are really going to town, then you may need to buy a wheel cleaning solution. Remember not to get any on the paintwork; it's strong stuff. Always brush and scrub any area of the wheels that the pressure spray did not reach. Alloy wheels also have to be waxed.

The Interior

For a proper job you will need a vacuum cleaner - tools for scrubbing, polishing, wiping and scraping will also be useful. Good interior products include upholstery shampoo, dry-cleaning fluid, leather cleaning solution (if the car has a leather interior) and glass cleaner.

Take all doormats out and soak them in hot soapy water, then clean with a stiff brush to remove additional dirt. Once the mats have been removed you can start vacuuming. Make sure to clean the floors and underneath the seats before moving onto gaps in the seats. Empty ashtrays and side pockets. Pull the interior seats up and clean underneath where dirt can collect rapidly.

Odours

If your car smells, use an air freshening spray. Some smells are particularly difficult to remove (such as dog). If you find that, after vacuuming the smell remains, then seek professional help. It may be necessary to replace the carpet.

Windows

The final step is the windows. Clean with a solution of hot water and glass cleaning products, and then dry with a cloth. Clean the dust from the top of the dashboard with a damp cloth; any switches can be cleaned using a toothbrush.

Now go and pick the kids up from football and, after lunch, take the dog for a walk by the canal.

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