If you own a black car, it is incredibly important to know how to wash a black car without scratching it. Why? Well, because such aesthetic eyesores are very visible on a black surface. A seemingly trivial mistake in the care and maintenance procedure can leave your precious vehicle unsightly forever.
So, what is the best way to wash a car without scratching it? Find out in this article!
In general, you will have to:
- Give your car a soapless wash
- Wash your car more thoroughly with soap
- Address stubborn stains
- Rinse everything off
- Blot-dry and apply wax
But, for more details on this topic of black car care, read on!
Table of Contents
Best Way to Wash a Black Car & Not Leave Scratches
What You Will Need to Have
You do not need to prepare a lot for cleaning a black car. However, it is important that you are attentive in choosing the right materials and keeping them free from contaminants before you delve into any action.
Gather the following materials:
1. Car Wash Soap/Solution
Invest time and effort into getting a quality car wash soap or solution. While you are tempted to relieve your wallet from expensive products, cheap car wash soaps can do more harm than good. They can degrade the paint on your car or dull the overall gloss, which, in essence, counters the purpose of keeping a black car clean.
Your soap of choice should have a safe but effective formula. Even better if it is pH-balanced. Reliable soaps that you can consider are those from Meguiar, Chemical Guys, and Mothers California. You should be able to find these both offline and online. In case, the soap is unavailable, you can use alternative products, such as dish soap and laundry detergent,… or DIY. For more details, please click here.
2. Wash/Skin Mitts
Choose a wash or skin mitt that is designed for cars. If you do not have one readily available, we suggest you go shopping for one right away. Using standard sponges can save you a few bucks, but there is a higher chance of scratching and damaging your car.
When choosing a mitt, look for one with a highly absorbent and extra-plush material as well as a non-slip elastic cuff for added convenience. A mitt that fits snugly will also make it easier for you to wash a black car without leaving water spots.
3. Microfiber Brush/Cloth
Next on the materials list is a microfiber car wash brush or cloth. This is used to sweep dust and dirt from the surface of your car. To make sure there are no stretches, they should be made of soft microfiber. It is best to get hand-washable ones so any post-cleaning is less tedious. Read now here to learn more about how to hand wash your car in 6 simple steps.
If you have the budget, consider ones with adjustable or scalable pole handles to make maneuvering easy. Brushes are better to work with, but otherwise, you can also get a microfiber cloth.
Like the above materials, this should not be difficult to find. There are microfiber brushes and clothes available on both local stores and e-commerce sites.
4. Clay Bar
Clay bars for car care and maintenance are best for deep cleansing. It is a specially engineered compound from synthetic or natural materials to offer an elastic product used to remove unwanted particles from the car’s surface. In detail, it combats the minuscule brake dust, metal dust, road grit, and industrial pollution to leave any surface spotless.
Chemical Guys, Griot’s Garage, and Mothers California offer some of the best car clay bars in the market. You can easily find them on online retailers like Amazon.
6. Buckets
You will need two buckets. One is to hold water, while one is for the soap. You do not need fancy buckets; regular plastic ones will work. If you can get ones with a handle, it will be easier to handle.
7. Wax
Last but not least, you will need wax to leave a protective coating on your car. A good wax will keep the surface of your car from fading, while also giving it a nice sheen and glossy finish. In addition, it will shield your car from UV rays and other air pollutants.
There are many types of wax: paste wax, liquid wax, and spray wax, each with its own benefits.
- Paste wax is very easy to apply; you simply cannot go wrong with it.
- Liquid wax offers a long-lasting shine that is also silky and smooth.
- Spray wax is convenient for drivers who are regularly on the go.
Any type of wax will work; just select the one you are most comfortable with.
Once you have everything you need, proceed!
How to Wash a Black Car without Scratching It
Here is the best way to wash a black car without leaving any scratches. Simply follow these steps!
Step 1: Give Your Car a Soapless Bath
Begin by giving your car a soapless bath. Do this in a roomy space with drains for excess water to flow into. Try to stay away from direct sunlight exposure as well.
Use a hose or buckets of water to wash away any dirt and debris. Either cool or lukewarm water will work. But, do not use too-hot water. Do not set the water pressure too high. Just enough to spray off the immediate contaminants of the exterior of the car.
It is best to start at the back, then work your way towards the head. Do this thoroughly and make sure you are not missing any essential components. Remember to wash the wheels. This is often the dirtiest part of the car, so it is a good idea to spend extra time on it. You will not get rid of all the filth, but this step will soften up the stubborn stains to make your later steps easier to execute.
Step 2: Wash Your Car More Thoroughly with Soap
In the two buckets that you have prepared, fill one with water and one with soap. In the one with soap, add the same amount of water to make a 1:1 mixture. Then, soak the wash mitts into the bucket with the soapy solution and use it to wash your car.
Wash the car by sections using circular motions. Begin from the top and work towards the bottom. Scrub carefully but gently to avoid leaving scratches. Be mindful of bird droppings and splattered bugs.
Occasionally rinse the wash mitt in the other bucket to keep it clean. If you do not do this, you will spread the grit and grime back onto the surface of your car. When the water in the bucket becomes murky, replace it with clean water.
For hard-to-reach areas, use the microfiber brush or cloth that you have prepared. Wash until no blemishes are visible. Be meticulous and work your keen eyes. If you pick up any sand or dirt, rinse it off before you continue to scrub the surface. Failing to do this will leave scratches on your car.
Address any extra stubborn stains with your car clay bar.
Step 3: Address Stubborn Stains
This is where your car clay bar comes into play. Use it to address any extra stubborn stains. As with the previous step, scrub gently. If you apply too much force, you will risk damaging and scraping the surface of your car.
For detailed guidance on using a car clay bar, watch this video on Youtube.
Step 4: Rinse Everything Off
Now, rinse off all the soap using your hose. Make sure that no soap residue is left on your car’s surface. Again, rinse it by section starting from the top.
Step 5: Blot-Dry & Apply Wax on Your Car
Use the microfiber cloth to blot-dry. This step is important to make sure that there are no water spots left on the surface of your car. Wipe down quickly but carefully.
Then, apply a coat of wax to protect your car from potential future scratches. This will give your car a gleaming finish as well.
There you have it! You now know the best way to wash a black car and not leave scratches on it.
Conclusion
So, you have reached the end of this article on how to wash a black car without scratching it. To recap, there are five steps you need to take.
Hopefully, it has been helpful. If you have other follow-up questions or thoughts on this topic, feel free to leave a comment. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
