**The Art of Cleaning Your Car: A Top 10 Guide**

When it comes to cleaning your car, there are many mistakes that people make on a daily basis. As ChrisFix explains, cleaning your car is an art form that requires attention to detail and the right techniques. In this article, we'll dive into the top 10 mistakes that people make when cleaning their cars, and provide you with the tips and tricks to avoid them.

**The Top Half: Cleaning from Front to Back**

When it comes to cleaning your car, the first half of the process is just as important as the second. As ChrisFix notes, "the top half and then down below that is the bottom half, so we'll start cleaning the top half first." To begin, you should always snap your towel out to get any loose rocks or dust or whatever that could scratch the car's paint. This little tip may seem insignificant, but it makes a big difference in the end.

**Mistake #1: Cleaning with the Wrong Technique**

One of the most common mistakes people make when cleaning their cars is using the wrong technique. ChrisFix notes that "when you just start using a towel, always snap it out to get any loose rocks or dust or whatever that could scratch the car's paint try to get it off." Every little bit helps, and using a snapping motion with your towel can help prevent scratches.

**Mistake #2: Using Only One Bucket**

Another mistake people make is using only one bucket for both soap and rinse water. ChrisFix explains that "you want to fill your rinse bucket all the way to the top with plain water, and that'll allow all the particulates and everything that are in your dirty towel to fall to the bottom." By using two separate buckets, you can ensure that your car is thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.

**Mistake #3: Not Drying the Car Properly**

When it comes to drying the car, many people make a mistake by not doing it properly. ChrisFix notes that "when you dry off your car, you do not use a sponge, you do not use a bath towel, you do not use a T-shirt, and you do not use a paper towel." Instead, you should use a good microfiber cloth that absorbs water really well.

**Mistake #4: Drying in a Swirling Motion**

Drying the car in a swirling motion is another common mistake people make. ChrisFix advises that "you want to dry the car in one direction, pick a direction and clean in that direction." This will help prevent scratches at different angles.

**Mistake #5: Not Dipping the Towel Properly**

When it comes to dipping the towel into the soapy water, many people make a mistake by not doing it properly. ChrisFix explains that "you should dunk the towel in the soap and then go back and clean the car." This will help ensure that all areas of the car are thoroughly cleaned.

**Mistake #6: Not Wringing Out the Towel Properly**

After dipping the towel into the soapy water, many people make a mistake by not wringing it out properly. ChrisFix notes that "you want to wring out the towel so that it's nice and clean, but not dripping with water." This will help prevent drips on the car's paint.

**Mistake #7: Not Following a Direction**

When cleaning the car, many people make a mistake by not following a direction. ChrisFix advises that "you want to pick a direction and clean in that direction." This will help prevent scratches at different angles.

**Mistake #8: Using Too Much Soap**

Using too much soap can be a mistake when cleaning your car. ChrisFix notes that "you don't want to use too much soap, because it'll just leave streaks on the paint." Instead, you should use just enough soap to get the job done.

**Mistake #9: Dropping the Towel**

Dropping the towel is another common mistake people make when cleaning their cars. ChrisFix notes that "once you drop this on the ground, keep it there and don't pick it up." This will prevent dirt and debris from getting into the car's paint.

**Mistake #10: Applying Leather or Vinyl Protectant Incorrectly**

Finally, many people make a mistake by applying leather or vinyl protectant incorrectly. ChrisFix advises that "if you're going to use some type of leather or vinyl protectant, make sure that you spray it on a paper towel and not directly on the leather or vinyl." This will prevent it from getting all over your windows and other areas that you don't want it on.

**The Bottom Half: Cleaning from Rear to Front**

After completing the top half of the car, ChrisFix explains that "we're gonna move down to the bottom half first." The same techniques and tips apply to cleaning the bottom half of the car. By following these steps and avoiding common mistakes, you can keep your car looking its best.

**Conclusion**

Cleaning your car is an art form that requires attention to detail and the right techniques. By avoiding common mistakes and following ChrisFix's top 10 guide, you can ensure that your car is thoroughly cleaned and protected from dirt and debris. Remember to snap your towel out before cleaning, use two separate buckets for soap and rinse water, dry the car properly, and follow a direction when cleaning. With these tips and tricks, you'll be able to keep your car looking its best for years to come.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enHey guys, ChrisFix hereHere are my top 10 mistakes people make while cleaning their car.These are my top 10 mistakes,and I don't cover them all, so I want to hear what mistakes you haveso after the video's overleave a comment in the comments section below.Mistake #1:Taking your car to a car wash.These car washes are guaranteed to scratch your finish.Even if the car wash says it soft bristles,and soft cloth,dirt gets trapped in the cloth,and ends up getting scratched against your paint.Car washes are aggressive,even the touchless type,where powerful jets of water slam your paint's surface to remove the dirt.The water pressure can be too high,and even if the water pressure isn't too high,the water will push dirt against the paint,thereby scratching it.Now don't get me wrong —car washes are good for cars where you don't really care about the little scratches in the paint.For example, I bring my van or my truck to a car washbecause the paint is already beat up a little bit.But I would never take my Corvette or a new car to a car wash.Mistake #2:People clean their car in direct sunlightand when it's really hot.I try to wait until the sun is just about settingand then you get this really good shine on the carso you can see where all the dirt is.The reason why you don't clean your car in the sunis because the car's surface will be so hotthat the water you're cleaning withwill evaporate and leave water marks on your paint.Another problem is that these chemicals and cleaners that you're usingaren't made to be put on hot surfaceswhich is why it says in the directionsto park the car in the shade.This time of the day where it's cooler, and the sun isn't as strong,is perfectit'll allow your car to stay cooland this water won't evaporate very quickly.Mistake #3:Using Dawn or some type of kitchen soapor degreaser, to clean your car.These products are bad for your paintand will strip your protective wax coating.So all that hard work waxing goes to waste.Also, these products are not always pH-balancedso you can be damaging your clearcoat.You do not want to use a degreaserWhat you want to use is an automotive soap.This stuff is specifically formulated to clean your car's paintso it won't strip the waxand it's pH-balanced.It also foams up really well.So it provides good lubrication while you use your towel against your paint.You can even see it on here:it says it won't strip wax like some dish soaps.Here's a quick car washing top tip:make sure you always clean out your bucket.So that you get all the dirt in your bucket outso when you put your towel in hereyou don't pick up the dirtand rub it right into your paint and scratch your paint.Now we can get some soap in here.Mistake #4 that I see all the time:is people don't use lubricationwhen they're cleaning their car.You could use some type of spray waxif your car finish is completely dryfor example, if you have some bird poop on your carnever wipe this off with just a towel.Always spray some lubricantand then this will come right off.Just like so.After you wipe one wayfold your towel overand wipe it the other way to clean it off.Do get that bird poop off that car right awaybecause bird poop has acid in itand the acid will break down your paint and your clearcoatand leave a nasty mark there.But make sure when you take it offuse some type of lubricantor just make sure your car is soaking wetand you have a towel that is completely covered in soap and waterso you won't scratch your car.Black is one of the most difficult colors to clean.And the reason why black is so difficult to cleanis because you have to be extra careful:black shows scratches really easilygoing along with #4make sure you get the car soaking wet.And when you're getting the car wetmake sure you're not using a power washerand if you are,make sure you can put your hand in front of itand it doesn't hurt your hand.If it hurts your hand,that's too much pressure for your car.Mistake #5:You do not ever want to usea paper towelon your paintyou don't ever want to use an old T-shirt on your paint,you never want to use a sponge,or the rough end of a sponge on your paint,and you never want to use one of these bathing towelsor whatever kind of towel you want to call thison your paint.The only thing that should touch your paintis a nice and softmicrofiber towelor something with a similar softness.Mistake #6:not cleaning from the top of the carto the bottom of the car.You always want to start cleaning your car at the top,and then finish cleaning at the bottom.The one exception is you can start with cleaning your rims.When cleaning your rimsthe same rules for cleaning your car's paint apply:use a microfiber toweland some type of lubricant.In this case, water and a wheel cleaner.And make sure you don't use the same towelfor the rims as for the paint.You should have two different towelsbecause rim dust is acidic and gritty.I'm not using a paper towel on the rimsbecause the rims are actually clearcoated,to protect the aluminum finish,and paper towels are just going to scratch your clearcoatjust like it's going to scratch the clearcoat of your paintso that's why you don't want to use it on your paint.And you never want to keep this stuff on your rims,so make sure you clean it off.So now that we did all four tires,now's a good time to start cleaning from the topto the bottom, and I'll show you what I mean right now.We start at the top because on all cars,the bottom is gonna be a lot dirtiercompared to the top of the car.You can see the bottom is way dirtier than the top,primarily because the bottom of the caris close to the dirty road.All the road grime and dust and mudkick up on the bottom of the carbut rarely make it to the top of the car.To prevent all this dirt from getting on our towel,and scratching the whole car,we start at the top of the carand leave the bottom until the end.I like to split the car in halfso right at that yellow turn light hereall the way across.That's what I considerthe top halfand then down below that is the bottom halfso we'll start cleaning the top half first.Here's a top tip for you:when you just start using a towel,always snap it outto get any loose rocks or dust or whateverthat could scratch the cartry to get it off.Every little bit helps.One thing that you should notice while I'm cleaning:I'm moving the towel in one directionfrom the front of the carto the rear of the car.And that brings me toMistake #7:cleaning in a swirling motion.Pick a direction and clean in that direction.If you do it in a swirling motion,you're more likely to see scratches at different angles.When you're cleaning your car,go in one directionPick a direction. I like going from front to back.From the front of the car to the rear of the car.And that's the direction I stick to.Mistake #8, that people make constantly,is using only one bucket.You can see here I have two buckets:one bucket, which is this one right here,is just for the soapy water.This is a clean bucket.The other bucket that I just filledis your rinse bucket.You want to fill your rinse bucket all the way to the topwith plain water,and that'll allow all the particulates and everythingthat are in your dirty towelto fall to the bottom.And it won't the nice clean, soapy water.So I have my dirty towel,I dunk it in the rinse,I wring it out,and this will get most of the big particles off,that's the goal: they'll all sink to the bottom of that bucket.You can see it looks pretty clean nowand then I dunk it in my soapand I go back and clean the car.So finally, after you're done cleaning everything,rinse off all the soap,and again,you do not use a sponge, you do not use a bath towel,you do not use a T-shirt,and you do not use a paper towelwhen you dry off your car.You want to use a good microfiber cloththat absorbs water really well.Just like cleaning your car,we're gonna dry it in one directionYou don't want to add a lot of pressurethis'll prevent scratches.And then after a few dries,use a new part of the towel.And you also dry the car from top to bottom.Same as cleaning.Good. Now look at that shine.Nice and clean, and dry.Mistake #9 that I see all the timeis people drop their towel on the groundand they pick it right back up.And use it on their car.When you drop your towel on the ground,it picks up all types of debrisincluding little rocks, like that right there,which'll put a nice scratch in your car's paintit'll pick up little leaves and stuffso once you drop this on the groundthis is done.You can't use this.So once this touches the groundkeep it there.And the final mistake — mistake #10:I always see people put Armor-All or some type of leather and vinyl cleaneron their steering wheeland on the brake and the gas pedals.I always see people put it on the shifter, which is never good.All these things you need to grip onto.Whether it's with your handsor with your feet.You never want to put any chemicals on your steering wheelbrake pedal, or gear knobthat are gonna make it slippery.This just makes driving dangerous.And you could potentially cause an accidentand hurt yourself or hurt somebody else.And the final top tip:if you're going to use some type of leather or vinyl protectant,make sure that you spray it on a paper toweland not directly on the leather or vinyl.This'll prevent it from getting all over your windowsand things you don't want it on.Hopefully this video gave you new insight for when you're cleaning your car!If you like this video,give it a thumbs-up!Also consider subscribing —I publish how-to videos weekly,and I answer all the questions and comments you guys leave in the comments section below.Up on the screen is going to be a link to another top 10 video that I didthat video is the Top 10 Mistakes Car Owners Makeand I'll go through different thingsthat people do with their cars that shouldn't be done.To get to that video, you can click on the screenor you can find a link to that video in description below.Also in the description below are links to the ChrisFix Twitter and Facebook pages.If you use Facebook or Twitter, check it out!And finally I want to hear from you guysI obviously didn't cover everything:if you have any mistakes you know ofthat people do all the time, leave it in the comments section below!\n"