And maintaining your car's appearance will help it retain a higher resale value. DIY Car Care host Trisha Hessinger describes some techniques to help you care for your car's interior and exterior as well as a few tricks used by professional detailers. When it comes to cleaning a car's exterior, perhaps the best advice is, don't use dish soap. It will strip away wax as well as dirt. Car-wash soap and a good cloth mitt are much safer and will remove dirt without disturbing the wax finish.
Pure polyester is more abrasive and can leave tiny scratches in the paint.
Wash the car in the shade to reduce spotting from quick drying. Start from the top of the car and work down. Concentrate on one section at a time. Rinse your mitt frequently, and change the soap and water a couple of times to avoid reintroducing dirt and grit to the finish. Don't forget to wash the glass as well as the painted surfaces.