The Washington herald., 1912-10-27

I Is recommended. Laundry and toilet
soaps are to be avoided. Automobile
| soaps, some good. some bad. are made
expressly for washing cars. They are
ETY.. The proper soap. principal ingredi-
| ents of which are pure potash and OIL will
properly clean car. and will have nc
bad effect on the luster Of the car. Soap
that contains alkali. either sodium or
potassium hydrate or sodium carbonate
or potassium carbonate. are naturally
| bad for varnish.
ices Of q chemist, in which case Il 10
very little trouble to analyze the soap.
I Those who do not have access had best
stick to the imported CASTLE that high
grade dealer sells for a soap free Of OBJ
jectionable ingredients.
The temperature OF the water used is
! most important. Hot or even warm water
should not be used: neither should ex-
tremely cold water be used. Proper tenn
perature IL from 60 to 20 degrees Farhren-
hsit. Where q hose is used. care should
be taken that the force Of the water Is
only sufficient to carry the stream six
or eight inches beyond the end OF the
hose. The use OF a fast running stream
drives the grit. dust and dirt into the
varnish- The use OF the sponge and
| chamois following picks up the grit and
scratches result. In selecting sponges be
careful to select the best and only those
guaranteed free from grit. sand and par
| ticles OF shell.
Having determined the proper soap to
use. temperature Of water and selection
of sponge, the operation of washing
should have careful consideration. as
even with good soap. correct temperature
and sponge the car may be damaged by
improper washing.
Properly to wash a car with soap, FIRST
dissolve In a pail Of water sufficient soap
/ to make good suds Then in the wash
ing operation use the suds. sopping II
on from the sponge instead OF rubbing
worse. rubbing It on the surface of the
car. Before applying the suds the car
should be rinsed thoroughly with water,
using a gentle stream. This Is impor-
tant. as all particles Of grit and dirt
must be removed from the surface be-
fore applying the sponge. Apply the
suds literally where the parts are dirty:
then rinse OF with clear water and
fresh sponge. flowing the water below
the sponge to insure that any grit and
dirt that may be left on the surface
chance to pick IT up and scratch the
surface. After the final sponging. the
surface should be dried with a clean,
wet chamois.
In washing the chassis. the same
method Is in order. except that II may
be necessary to use stronger suds Where
cars are in use over oily or muddy roads
frequent washing is necessary. and this
washing should be done as soon as pos
sible after the car leaves the road, as
when this oil or mud dries on the car
1t is very dificult to remove and will
damage the varnish. 1t being impossible
under certain oil and mud conditions to
remove all the stains. In this connec-
tion 1t Is important that neither the bon
net nor radiator Is washed while It is
hot. as to do SO will dull the luster. ruin
ing II In a very short time.
Another point which should get atten-
tion IL that the same sponge should not
be used for washing both the body and
the chassis. Both sponges should be of
| the best quality, .care being taken at all
| times to keep them clean and in proper
condition. Owners who keep their cars
in public garages will have difficulty in
, having their cars washed before the mud
has had chance to dry. as in most
garages the washing Is left until night
and then put through with a large num-
ber Of other cars. This method cannot
he followed and have a fine looking car