Top five tips to keep your car looking brand new.A car, in many ways, is a manifestation of one's personality. And if your vehicle is in shabby condition, it would not reflect well on what you are all about. After all, you worked hard to buy your four-wheeled companion on the tough and testing Indian road conditions.

While many do opt to take their vehicles to the local car wash centers - who usually do quite a neat job, what may not always be known is that one can take proper care of cars right at home and at a fraction of the cost. All that is needed is a bit of time and a bit of passion to ensure a spotless shine.

Here are top tips to ensure that your car - regardless of its age, looks slick and shiny all the time.

1) A thorough wash

What you need: Water, bucket, mug, car s hampoo^[1]. Optional - Microfiber towel/Microfiber mop, hosepipe, nozzle for hosepipe

Spray or pour plain water all over the car to ensure loose dust and grime is removed. Dry dust - especially in northern Indian cities - significantly dull a car's looks and a plain water wash is, literally, half the battle won.

Next, just add car shampoo to the water and apply it all over the car. Tougher grimes come right off without any harm to the clear paint coat. Rinse and wipe the car dry with a microfiber towel. The entire process takes about 10 minutes and is highly recommended every weekend.

2) Claybar^[2] treatment

Auto enthusiasts swear by claybars. Trend aside, they actually play the dual role of protecting and adding shine to the exterior paint surface. Just take an automotive-grade clay bar out of its packaging and flatten under your palms. Next, spray a detailer liquid to the area of application. These liquids almost always come with the claybar as a package. Ensure the area of application is properly most before rubbing the claybar in straight lines. Attend one section at a time.

Once a section is rubbed adequately with a claybar - about 10-15 times, wipe clean with a fresh microfiber towel . Move on to the next section. This indeed is a bit of hard wo rk and it is recommended once every six months or thereabouts. The long-term results though are superb - check coin test in the video above.

Do note that most claybars available on e-commerce sites are expensive when compared to cost of the same brands on foreign websites. Some sites showed claybar and detailer combo for Rs 1500 when the same was on American websites for under $5 (Rs 350, approximately). If money is not a big issue, claybar is a must. Else, fast forward to the next step.

3) Spraywax treatment

Car wax systems come in clay and spray form. To save time and effort, we highly recommend the sprays. These may not be as long-lasting as the pastes but do an equally good job - minus the effort.

Spray the wax on one portion of the car, buff it with a fresh microfiber towel and then wipe clean a different section of the same towel. A small car like the Santro in our review would require about five minutes to be waxed, buffed and cleaned.

4) Tyre cleaner and shine system

Tyres usually bear the brunt of harsh Indian road conditions. A clean car is nothing if the tyres are filthy. Imagine you are all dressed slick but your shoes are muddy. Not a good sight, right? Same logic.

Spray/pour water onto the tyres. Preferably use a big brush to dislodge grime and debris. Then spray tyre polish - relatively inexpensive at local auto shops - either directly or on a sponge first. This depends on the instructions on the spray bottles. This would take another five minutes for all four tyres.

5) Interiors

Once through the steps above, do take a peep inside as well. Chances are that the unforgiving sun has taken a toll on the upholstery.

Just use a dashboard polisher - again, relatively inexpensive at local auto shops - and sponge the interiors clean. The dash and four areas under the four side windows would need five minutes of your attention.

Vacuuming may be required if there are food leftovers and other debris.
In about 30 to 45 minutes, you can help your car turn back time and regain its shine - all at a fraction of the cost you would pay at a car wash. Do note that cleaning under direct sun is usually not recommended. What is recommended is conserving water - so be thrifty when it comes to filling the bucket or using the hosepipe.
If you have more suggestions, or would like to point something out, or add to the list, jot it down in the comments box below.
Important: The reporter or Times of India is not promoting any of the product(s) used in the review. Make an informed decision and read customer reviews when choosing car care^[3] products from reliable auto brands available in the market.

---

Source