Gifting Season! Take 25% Off Storewide With Code GIFTS At Checkout.*

  1. Home
  2. DIY Car Detailing Blog
  3. Car Detailing

We Just Found The Best Way to Wash a Car Without Scratching!

Washing your car can be a great way to pass the time on a hot weekend, especially if it’s a new car. It can be a fun and relaxing zen experience for those of us with classic cars or those who like their car to be clean and shiny. It's also a great way to protect your investment. A good wash will remove all the dirt, dust, and brake dust accumulated on your car and damage the paint over time.

However, car washing and noticing you have scratched it when you’re done rinsing can be infuriating. It's happened to all of us at some point. You rush through the wash, trying to get it done as quickly as possible, and you end up with a car that looks like it's been in a war zone.

There are many ways to wash a car without scratching the paint. This article will list different methods and discuss each one in detail. We will also give you some tips on using the correct products and proper drying techniques. Washing your car regularly is vital for keeping it looking its best, so read this article carefully!

LIKE A RAIN COAT FOR YOUR CAR’S SURFACE
Shines Like a Diamond; Strong as Steel
Torque Detail Graphene Burst Spray

★★★★★  6k+ Verified Customer Reviews
In just 20 minutes transform your car with a brilliant “Showroom Shine” that’s locked in and protected for up to an entire year. Never wash, wax, or scrub any surface of your car again.

30% Off Limited Deal

How Often Should I Be Washing My Car?

Ideally, you should be washing your car at least once a week. However, if you live in an area with a lot of dust or dirt, you may need to wash it more often. If you only drive your car on weekends, once every two weeks should be sufficient.

Washing your car less often will not cause any damage, but it will allow dirt and dust to accumulate on the paint, leading to scratches over time. Also, the build-up of dirt or salt can damage the paint and other parts over time.

Car washes make your car look good and help with the car's value and overall appearance.

What Are The Proper Products To Use?

When washing your car, you should use quality car soap for maximum suds. However, do not use dish soap or laundry detergent, as these products are too harsh and can damage the paint. There are many different types of car soaps available, so be sure to choose one specifically designed for cars.

You will also need a bucket, a hose, and a sponge or wash mitt. When washing your car, always use cool water. Hot water can damage the paint.

How To Wash A Car Without Scratching The Paint

There are many different ways to wash a car without scratching the paint. We will discuss the most popular methods below.

Washing With A Bucket And Soap

The most basic way to wash your car is with a bucket of soap and water. This method is best for cars that are not too dirty. For an in-depth guide on how to accomplish this, checkout out our 2 bucket method tutorial.

To wash your car with a bucket and soap, follow these steps:

What You Need: Torque Detail Decon Wash Pack

Step One: Fill a bucket with cool water and add Torque Detail Decon Soap. Cool water is essential, as hot water can damage the paint.

Step Two: Wet your car with the hose and start washing from the top, using a sponge or wash mitt. Be sure to get the car wet first, as this will help the soap rinse off more easily.

Step Three: Start with the tires and wheel wells before the rest of the car, you can use wheel cleaner for this. Use a wheel brush to clean the dirt and dust from the tires and wheel wells. Washing these first ensures that no grime from the tires and wheel wells ends up on your car. Use Purple Destroyer to clean off all the brake dust and make those wheels really shine.

Step Four: Soap up your sponge or wash mitt and start washing the car using circular motions. Make sure you rinse the sponge or mitt often, as the soap can dry out and be ineffective if not rinsed well. Also, any dirt from other car sections can accumulate on the sponge and scratch other surfaces if not removed.

Step Five: Wash the car until it is clean, then rinse it thoroughly with cool water.

Step Six: Dry the car with a high quality microfiber towel. Using a blower or direct sunlight can help dry the car faster.

Washing With A Pressure Washer

A pressure washer is a great way to wash your car quickly, and is beneficial for very dirty vehicles. However, you must be careful not to use too much pressure, which can damage the paint.

To wash your car with a pressure washer, follow these steps:

Step One: Fill the pressure washer with Torque Detail Decon Soap. Make sure to use a high-quality brand like Meguiars or Turtle Wax.

Step Two: Connect the pressure washer to a water source and turn it on.

Step Three: Hold the pressure washer about 24 inches away from the car and spray the entire car with soapy water.

Step Four: Use a microfiber cloth or mitt to wash the car. Make sure you wash the car in sections and use a different cloth for each area to prevent scratching from dirt and other material that build upon the cloth.

Step Five: Rinse the car thoroughly with clean water. Make sure to get soap all over, including in the wheel wells and underneath the car.

Step Six: Dry the car with a high quality microfiber cloth.

Washing With A Garden Hose

If you don't have a pressure washer, you can still wash your car with a garden hose. However, you will need to use a lot of soap and water, and it will take longer to clean the car.

Step One: Use the garden hose to wet the car all over. This is important as it will help the soap penetrate the dirt and grime.

Step Two: Pour a good amount of Torque Detail Decon Soap over the entire car. You can either use a water bucket or, if you have a pressure washer, you can put the soap directly in the machine's tank.

Step Three: Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the car. Make sure to wet the cloth or sponge first; otherwise, you will just move the dirt around.

Step Four: Rinse the car thoroughly with the garden hose. This is very important, as any soap residue left on the car can damage the paint.

Step Five: Dry the car thoroughly with a soft cloth or microfiber drying towel.

Cleaning The Tires And Wheels

The tires and wheels can be a challenge to clean, as they often get dirty and are difficult to reach. However, if they are not cleaned regularly, the dirt and grime can damage the paint on the car.

To clean the tires and wheels, follow these steps:

Step One: Clean the tires and wheels with a tire brush as a pre-wash. This will remove all the dirt and grime from the surface.

Step Two: Spray the tires and wheels with Torque Detail Purple Destroyer. This will help to break down any built-up dirt or grease with ease.

Step Three: Wipe down the tires and wheels with a cloth or sponge.

Step Four: Rinse the tires and wheels with plain water.

Step Five: Dry the tires and wheels with a towel or chamois.

After The Wash

Now that your car is clean, it's important to keep it that way. One way to do this is by using a sealant.

A sealant is a product that you can apply to the car after being washed. It will help protect the paint from dirt, grime, and weather damage.

Another way to protect your car is by using a glass cleaner. Glass cleaners are specially formulated to clean the windows without leaving any streaks or residue.

Finally, you can protect your car's finish by waxing it every few months. Car wax will help seal the paint and keep it looking shiny and new.

Sealing The Car Paint with a protective graphene coating

LIKE A RAIN COAT FOR YOUR CAR’S SURFACE
Shines Like a Diamond; Strong as Steel
Torque Detail Graphene Burst Spray

★★★★★  6k+ Verified Customer Reviews
In just 20 minutes transform your car with a brilliant “Showroom Shine” that’s locked in and protected for up to an entire year. Never wash, wax, or scrub any surface of your car again.

30% Off Limited Deal

One of the best ways to protect your car's paint is to seal it with a car sealant. This will help prevent dirt, dust, and other debris from damaging the paint. Graphene coatings are the latest and greatest in car shine and protection.

To seal the car paint, follow these steps:

Step One: Make sure the car is clean and free of any dirt or dust. Do a full decontamination wash.

Step Two: Apply a clear coat of Torque Detail Graphene Burst to the entire car. Be sure to get all the surfaces, including the windows and tires. Go section by section.

Step Three: Let the sealant dry completely as per the products directions. 6-12 hours.

Step Four: Reapply the product as needed to avoid having to wash your car for a long time!

Cleaning The Glass

The glass on your car can get dirty and streaky if not cleaned regularly. To clean the glass, follow these steps:

Step One: Clean the glass with a glass cleaner. This will remove all the dirt and grime from the surface.

Step Two: Wipe down the glass with a cloth or sponge.

Step Three: Rinse the glass with water.

Step Four: Dry the glass with a towel or chamois.

Washing with Minimal Items

You might need to wash your car but don't have the time or money to shop for fancy car cleaning products.

Using Microfiber Towels

High quality microfiber towels are a great way to clean your car without scratching the paint. They are soft and absorbent, and they won't leave any streaks or lint behind.

To use a microfiber towel, follow these steps:

Step One: Wet the towel with water.

Step Two: Wipe down the car with a wet towel. This will remove all the dirt and grime from the surface.

Step Three: Rinse the towel and wring it out.

Step Four: Wipe down the car with a dry towel. This will polish and shine the paint.

Washing with a Bucket and Soap

If you don't have any car cleaning products, you can use wash buckets of soapy water to wash your car.

To wash the car with soap and water, follow these steps:

Step One: Fill a bucket with warm water and add some soap.

Step Two: Wet the car with the water from the bucket.

Step Three: Rub the soapy water over the car with a sponge or cloth.

Step Four: Rinse the car with water and dry it off with a towel.

Pro Tip: For added protection, try the two bucket method!

Washing with a Hose

If you don't have any car cleaning products and don't want to use soap and water, you can wash the car with a hose.

To wash the car with a hose, follow these steps:

Step One: Wet the car with the hose.

Step Two: Rinse the car with water and dry it off with a towel.

The car won't be as clean as it would with soap, but it is better than letting the dirt build up.

How to Keep Your Car Clean Longer

One of the best ways to keep your car clean longer is by washing it regularly. I know this might sound contraindicated, as you might think that frequent washing will only lead to more dirt and grime build-up, but if done correctly, it will actually help to prevent this from happening.

I know what you are saying! Washing a car takes a long time. You just can’t commit to that. That’s why we invented Turbo Waterless Detailer! You no longer have to bust out the garden hose. Just spray and wipe! It’s that easy. Not only will it wash the car but it also adds a bonus layer of ceramic protection that increases the longevity and shine of your wax, graphene, or ceramic coating.

Also, use wax or sealant on the car to help protect the paint from scratches and dirt. For car detailing, we recommend our latest product, Torque Detail Graphene Burst for a deep shine and long lasting protection.

Another way to keep your car clean is to keep it in a garage or covered area when not in use. This will help protect it from the elements and prevent it from getting dirty.

And finally, try to avoid driving on gravel roads or through mud puddles, as this can damage the paint and cause dirt and grime to build up.

What Should I Avoid Doing During My Car Wash?

Now that you know what to do to avoid scratching your car when cleaning it, let's look at some tips of things to avoid doing during the car wash that might cause you to scratch your vehicle without even knowing it.

Avoid Using a Hard Bristle Brush

A stiff-bristled brush is one of the biggest culprits for scratches and swirl marks on a car's paint. If you must use a brush, try to find one with soft bristles.

Avoid Scrubbing the Car Too Hard

If you scrub the car too hard with car shampoo or car wash soap, you can easily damage the paint and cause scratches. Always be gentle when washing your vehicle.

Avoid Using a Hose with a Pressure Washer Attachment

A high-pressure hose can easily damage the paint on your car and cause scratches. If you need to use a hose to wash your car, try to find one with low pressure or adjustable pressure.

Avoid Getting Soap or Water in Your Car's Windows

One of the most annoying things that can happen when you're washing your car is getting soap or water in your car's windows. This can make it difficult to see and can cause the glass to streak. So try to avoid getting soap or water in your car's windows as much as possible.

Avoid Letting the Car Air Dry

If you let the car air dry, it can quickly get dirt and dust. Try to towel dry the car as much as possible after washing it to avoid spots and dirt from sticking to the water.

How To Avoid Water Spots

Water spots are a common problem when washing your car. They are tiny droplets of water that can be difficult to remove and often leave behind a watermark or spot on the paint.

Remove water spots in minutes! Try Torque Detail Water Spot Remover.

There are several ways to avoid getting water spots when washing your car:

  • Wash the car in the shade whenever possible. This will help prevent the water from drying too quickly and give you more time to towel dry the car.
  • Do not let the car air dry. Instead, towel dry the car as much as possible after washing it.
  • Use a water repellent product on the paint. This will help to bead up the water and keep it from sticking to the paint.
  • Try to avoid using high-pressure hoses when washing the car. A low-pressure hose will be less likely to cause water spots.
  • Wash the car regularly. The more often you wash the car, the less likely you are to get water spots.

How To Remove Water Spots

If you do end up with water spots on your car's paint, there are a few ways to remove them:

  • The best way! Works in minutes. Use Torque Detail Water Spot Remover
  • Use a glass cleaner and a soft washcloth to clean the water spot.
  • If the water spot is stubborn, use a car scratch remover to try and remove it.
  • If all else fails, you can always have the paint professionally repainted.

Summary: Clean Car, No Scratches

Washing your car is a necessary evil if you want to keep it looking clean and shiny. But if done correctly, it can be an easy and painless process. And by following these tips, you can avoid the most common ways of scratching your car during a wash. So go ahead and wash that car with confidence!

LIKE A RAIN COAT FOR YOUR CAR’S SURFACE
Shines Like a Diamond; Strong as Steel
Torque Detail Graphene Burst Spray

★★★★★  6k+ Verified Customer Reviews
In just 20 minutes transform your car with a brilliant “Showroom Shine” that’s locked in and protected for up to an entire year. Never wash, wax, or scrub any surface of your car again.

30% Off Limited Deal
  • Published on Sep 19, 2022