April is a month many look forward to because of the long Songkran holiday. This festive period allows people to relieve work or study stress and spend quality time with family and friends, visiting relatives or traveling to other provinces. Here are some useful tips for cleaning your car after the Songkran festival.
It's common for your car to be covered in white chalk powder during Songkran. After the festival, car wash services become fully booked before work resumes. You can save money and time by washing your car yourself at home while getting a bit of exercise. Because of the intense heat right now, it's best to wash your car in the morning before the sun is strong or in the evening when the sun has set and the breeze is calm, rather than washing at noon or afternoon when temperatures reach 39-40 degrees Celsius, which can be dangerously hot. Use a good car cloth you've had for a long time but never used because you usually rely on car wash services. All you need is a long hose and dishwashing liquid to tackle the stubborn stains on your car.
When returning to Bangkok or driving home, if chalk powder gets on your windshield, do not immediately use the wipers while driving, as this will spread the powder and create smears on the glass. The chalk powder dust will obscure your visibility and pose a serious hazard. If necessary, find a safe spot to park, then use the wipers and windshield washer to clean thoroughly or wipe the powder off with a damp cloth before continuing your journey for safety.
Once home, if you're not too tired, wash off chalk powder, bird droppings, insect remains, and tree sap as soon as possible when the sun is low and the wind is calm. Chalk powder that dries and is exposed to sunlight for too long can stick to the car paint and cause discoloration. Upon arriving home, rinse dust and chalk powder off the car with clean water and use a specialized car wash detergent, as other detergents may weaken the wax coating and cause paint spotting. Afterwards, dry the car with a chamois leather cloth, which absorbs water well and doesn't scratch the surface. If your car is waxed, avoid using shampoo; plain water is sufficient. The alkaline nature of car shampoo can dissolve wax layers quickly.
Use a gentle water flow and a clean car cloth that is dust-free or freshly washed. Gently wipe the entire body by hand to remove dust from the paint, then rinse again with water. I don't use car shampoo because its alkalinity is harmful to the paint. The recommended dishwashing liquid is used for cleaning wheels, not the car body. Plain tap water is best. Regular shampoo use causes the wax and lacquer layers to wash away, resulting in dull, lackluster paint. Frequent shampoo washing accelerates lacquer degradation unnecessarily.
Many take family trips to play water fights, eat snacks inside the car, or accidentally spill drinks inside the cabin during Songkran holidays. Avoiding musty odors inside the car can be difficult. When you detect a musty smell during family trips, remove the floor mats or carpets for cleaning. If the floor mats are slightly damp, park the car in sunlight with doors open and vacuum out chalk powder inside. Clean leather seats with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth, or use specialized leather cleaner. For fabric seats, vacuum first, then clean stained spots with appropriate fabric seat cleaner or foam. Test the cleaner on a small, hidden area first to ensure it does not damage the fabric.
Wheels that have collected heavy dust and brake residue can be cleaned using dishwashing liquid and a sponge. A sponge soaked in dishwashing liquid works well on expensive alloy wheels without damaging their finish. Avoid using wire brushes on alloy wheels to prevent scratches. For spoke wheels, cleaning is easier, but for intricate BBS RS wheels with many spokes, use a toothbrush dipped in dishwashing liquid to reach the crevices, which takes time but restores the wheels’ shine like when you spent nearly a hundred thousand baht for them. After cleaning all four wheels with dishwashing liquid and water, it's time to open the hood and clean the engine compartment.
Do not use high-pressure water jets when cleaning the engine compartment, as strong water pressure can penetrate electrical components such as coils, spark plugs, or control boxes. Cover electrical parts with plastic bags before cleaning and avoid spraying water directly on these areas. Use a sponge with some dishwashing liquid to help clean grime in the engine bay. Unfortunately, the popular 3M green engine cleaner spray has been discontinued, so stubborn oil stains on the engine will have to be wiped with kerosene-soaked cloths, which is less convenient than the spray.
A sponge with dishwashing liquid and a damp cloth are usually enough for cleaning. For heavy dirt, more time is needed. Gently wipe the sponge over the air filter housing, front beam, headlight frames, and battery box, which often accumulate dust. For hybrid cars, never spray or hose water onto components or cables with orange insulation; only use a damp sponge to clean these areas. Frequent cleaning helps quickly manage dust accumulation. If you lack time, live in an apartment or condo, and rarely wash your car yourself, the process will take longer. Those unable to wash their car themselves must rely on the numerous car care services available.
After cleaning the wheels and engine bay, spray water over the entire car body starting from the roof down to the lower parts. Once rinsed, use the car cloth purchased at a motor show—much cheaper than in malls—to dry the car, wiping from the roof down to the windshield. Frequently rinse the cloth with clean water to remove embedded dust. Gently wipe and wring the cloth continuously as you dry the car. This is good exercise and will restore your vehicle's shine and appeal.
Open the doors and wipe along the door sills, trim, and door hinges where dust tends to accumulate. Also, open the trunk and wipe off any residual water. Door hinges inside should be cleaned regularly, even though the cloth used for drying gets dirty quickly and must be washed frequently to restore clean door trims and sills. If you have a vacuum cleaner, use it to clean the mats. Remove floor mats or rubber mats for cleaning: vacuum and dust off carpet mats before putting them back, or rinse rubber mats with water and dry them in the sun. Wipe the dashboard, gear console, and door panels with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust.
With the long Songkran holiday, washing your car yourself not only provides exercise but also saves money. More importantly, you can ensure thorough cleanliness in every corner since you wash it yourself. If the paint lacks shine after washing, apply carnauba wax for a glossy finish like when the car was new.
Arkom Rumsuwan
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