Cleaning your ride is a necessary step to maintaining its luxury appeal
- If you own a luxury vehicle, you want to explore every avenue to maintain its aesthetic appeal and value.
- Use these tips to create a routine cleaning schedule that keeps your vehicle looking its best.
There’s a certain allure and sense of pride that comes with owning a luxury vehicle. The meticulous design, craftsmanship and power to turn heads and be the envy of the streets are the by-products of your efforts to maintain its appearance. It’s essential to keep your ride clean so it will always look its best, no matter where you roam.
Here’s how often you should wash your luxury car, plus practical cleaning tips to keep it looking new.
Factors Influencing Washing Frequency
Choosing how often to wash your luxury car depends on several factors, including the following:
Environment
Some climate conditions might force you to wash your car more often. For instance, if you live in an area with significant snowfall, the salt from the icy roads might damage your paint if left on your car too long. Rain, humidity, and coastal winds can also impact your car’s appearance and require more frequent washes.
Also, urban driving offers a stark contrast from rural backroads. Rural roads might make you more susceptible to mud puddles, potholes, and debris, while city streets are often under construction and create unique hazards.
Driving Habits
Someone who drives their luxury car daily will likely need to wash it more frequently than someone who keeps it in a garage most of the time. Every time your car is out and about, it’s being exposed to its surroundings and collecting dust and particles that could mar its image.
Type of Paint Protection
Having a luxury car without paint protection is like walking a dog without a leash—technically speaking, it works, but you’re putting yourself at unnecessary risk. If you have auto paint protection, you might not need to wash your luxury vehicle as frequently since protective coatings prevent dirt and debris from adhering to the paint.
If you’re using traditional wax, you’ll need to reapply it frequently. Wax is soft and isn’t designed to last for years.
If you prefer to go longer between washes, ceramic coating is a better option. Unlike waxes and polishes that leave a thin layer of product, ceramic coatings create a hard invisible shield to provide superior protection.
Cilajet Ceramic coatings use Aviation Grade materials, including graphene, the hardest material on earth. This coating creates a hydrophobic layer that rinses clean and doesn’t harbor dirt and debris. In addition, it defends against rust, oxidation, and harmful contaminants that will age your car’s appearance.
Ceramic coatings make the car much easier to wash and the vehicle will stay cleaner for a longer period of time, cutting down on the amount of washing needed. However, no product completely eliminates the need for a thorough washing, and your car is still going to get dirty even with a ceramic coating on it.
Quick Guidelines for Washing Your Luxury Vehicle
Thinking about your environment, driving habits, and whether your vehicle has a protective coating, follow these guidelines to keep your car clean without overdoing it.
General Recommendations
The standard recommendation is to wash your car every two weeks, on average.
However, if you’re driving down dirt roads, through construction zones, or traveling salted winter roads, you may want to wash your car more frequently. This helps you remove contaminants like bugs, bird droppings, salt, tar, or other debris in a timely manner and avoid potential damage.
Special Considerations for Luxury Vehicles
For luxury car owners, you’ll need to consider delicate paint finishes and sensitive materials when choosing how often to wash your car. Overwashing can dull its shine and leave it vulnerable to more damage. In some cases, you may want to limit water exposure and preserve its like-new exterior.
Also, when you do wash your car, make sure you use good washing techniques. Improper washing could lead to damage, and it’s easier to damage your vehicle than you may realize. We’ll cover good washing techniques next.
Practical Tips for Washing Your Luxury Vehicle
To wash your car the right way, you’ll need the right tools and equipment:
- Gentle wash mitts
- Microfiber towels
- pH-neutral soap
- Car wax or polish
Cilajet’s Quick-Shine is the cherry on top of your efforts and keeps your car glossy in between washes.
Avoid using abrasive materials and harsh chemicals, as these can leave marks and damage your paint.
Next up, you’ll want to use proper washing techniques that clean your car while preserving its paint and finish. We suggest the two-bucket method and the top-down approach:
- You’ll need two buckets: one for washing and one for rinsing your sponges.
- Rinse the entire car to remove as much debris as possible.
- Dip the wash mitt or clean microfiber towel into the soap bucket, then gently wash your car starting at the top-most portions.
- After finishing a section of your car, wring the mitt / microfiber towel away from the car before dunking it into the rinse bucket, then wring again.
- Repeat Steps 3 and 4, gradually making your way from the top of the car to the bottom.
- Rinse the car thoroughly.
- Dry the car with a clean, dry microfiber towel to prevent water spots and streaks.
This method prevents dirt from resurfacing on your car once it’s been removed, leaving you with clean, professional results.
Taking Care of Your Luxury Car with Cilajet
Washing your luxury vehicle often comes with the territory. Paint protection like Cilajet can help you cut down on washes without sacrificing its like-new appearance. Learn how you can capture a pristine appearance with ceramic coatings—find a Cilajet dealer near you.