Washing (and waxing) poetically

Proper vehicle maintenance goes beyond regular oil changes and taking care of mechanical items. Astute owners also pay regular attention to their vehicles' cosmetic appearance, to help preserve a like-new look, add longevity and boost value at trade-in time.

Unfortunately a professional "detailing" job can cost well over $100, and even a simple automated car wash can cost as much as $15 or more (and some can mar a vehicle's finish in the bargain). Cost-conscious consumers armed with a bucket and garden hose can do the job themselves for a fraction of the cost. Here's how to get the best results:

Always clean a vehicle's passenger cabin before washing the exterior to avoid getting dust and dirt on what would otherwise be spotless body panels. Start by vacuuming and spot-shampooing the carpeting - household rug-cleaning spray-foam will usually do the trick - especially after extended bouts of bad weather, to avoid permanent stains from ground-in mud or road salt.

For cloth seats, vacuum the upholstery using an upholstery attachment, and shampoo as necessary, using a spray-foam upholstery-cleaning product. To repel dirt and stains, treat the seats with a spray-on fabric protector. For leather seats, apply a leather-restoring cream using a clean terrycloth towel.

Treat vinyl upholstery, the dashboard and trim items with a spray-on product specifically designed for plastic and rubber surfaces. In addition to restoring a like-new gloss, this will keep such surfaces from drying, fading or cracking. Use a cotton swab to work the treatment into seams and to brighten up vents.

Common household window cleaners work well for most automotive glass surfaces. A mixture of white vinegar and water is best for tinted windows.

Inspect the bodywork regularly and fix small scratches and chips quickly to avoid rusting. Most dealers sell small bottles of paint that are ideal for touch-ups. Clean the damaged area and apply the paint sparingly with the brush provided. If the chip or scratch has already begun to rust, lightly sand the area, and apply a thin coat of primer to any bare metal before painting.

Always wash and wax a car or truck in shade to prevent water spotting and to keep the wax from drying too quickly and baking onto the car's surface (sun-hardened wax is especially difficult to remove).

Be sure to use a soft rag, either terrycloth or flannel, for washing or waxing. Nylon or synthetic towels or paper products are not as absorbent and may scratch the finish.

Completely hose off the car and begin shampooing its exterior from the top down, using an acid-free non-abrasive cleaner diluted with water according to the manufacturer's directions. While some owners may use common dishwashing soap, be aware that household cleansers or detergents can remove the protective polymer coating from a car's surface. Scrub wheels and tires using a stiff bristle brush.

Rinse off the soap, again spraying from top to bottom, letting an adequate supply of water stream down the finish. Be sure to spray thoroughly underneath the car and inside the wheel wells to loosen road grime. Allow the car's surface to dry. Especially if you won't be waxing the car that day, remove water beads using an absorbent chamois, which is again available where auto supplies are sold.

Before wiping down the bodywork, pay attention to the water beads on the surface. If the beads are smaller than a quarter, the surface's wax barrier is still active. If water starts to form elongated beads or a thin sheet on the horizontal panels, it is time to re-wax.

Apply a coat of wax to the car according to instructions on the can or bottle - for example, many waxes must be applied using a damp cloth. The protective characteristics and shine qualities of various wax products generally differ, and usually in accordance with their cost. Unless the vehicle's surface is badly dulled or oxidized, avoid using waxes that contain an abrasive compound. While so-called spray-on "fast wax" products can work adequately, car-care experts say that paste-type products work best and that the quality of a vehicle's final appearance is generally proportional to the time and care that goes into waxing it.

Finally, treat tires, exterior rubber and/or plastic trim with the aforementioned plastic/rubber protector. Use a chrome treatment to polish exterior trim and aluminum wheels.