Getting your car ready for the monsoon
What to check in August so the October rains do not cost you a repaint.
How to wash a coated car at home
Two buckets, a soft mitt and shade. Twenty minutes, every two weeks.
A ceramic coating makes washing easier, but a bad wash can still scratch it. The swirls you see on most cars come from washing, not driving.
Work in the shade, early morning or evening, with the paint cool to touch. Rinse the car top to bottom with a hose to lift loose dust. Fill two buckets: one with water and a pH-neutral shampoo, one with plain water to rinse the mitt.
Wash one panel at a time with a microfibre mitt, from roof to sills, in straight lines. Rinse the mitt in the plain bucket after each panel before dipping it back in the soap. Do the wheels last, with a separate brush and mitt.
Rinse, then dry with a large, clean drying towel laid flat and pulled across the panel. Do not rub in circles. In Chennai’s hard water, dry quickly so spots do not form; a blower helps.
Avoid automatic washes, roadside brushes and dish soap. Every few months, a silica topper spray tops up the gloss. Bring the car in once a year for an inspection.
