A clean car makes you feel better and protects the car’s resale value.  If you have a used car for sale, you can get more if it looks and smells clean.  Some salvage car dealers estimate that a well treated used car is worth up to 25% more.  And, of course, salvaged vehicles need extra care to look good.  Here are 10 tips to follow when washing any car at home:

• Keep cloths or rags free of grit or debris to prevent visible swirl marks and to protect the wax.  Salvaged vehicles especially need this precaution.
• Use a car wash solution instead of dishwashing detergent.
• Don’t wash your used car in direct sunlight, especially if it’s warm.  This causes spotting from the cleaner that can be damaging and permanent to salvaged vehicles.
• Clean wheels and tires first.  Use non-acid-based tire cleaners and use a degreaser on wheels.
• Rinse and rinse and rinse.  Make sure the water pressure is strong enough to completely rinse off cleaners.  Otherwise, these build up and hurt the finish of a car.  According to car dealers, this will lower the selling price.
• Dry the surface with a rubber-blade squeegee.  This prevents minerals and dirt that get left behind when the water evaporates.  This little touch works wonders on salvaged vehicles.
• Test interior cleaners on an inconspicuous area first.  For spray cleaners, spray on the rag to apply rather than spraying directly on the surface.
• Get rid of odors by steam cleaning the upholstery.  Car dealers also recommend using a small vacuum attachment to clear debris, mold and grime from the air vents.
• Wax your car.  Car dealers advise giving a car a wax job every season if it is outdoors every day.
• Save the glass for last, because it will have grime and dirt from the other steps.  Look for a glass cleaner without ammonia, which is bad for vinyl upholstery and the instrument panel. Buff the glass with a microfiber cloth in order to get rid of cleaner residue.

That's it! These tips will keep salvaged vehicles or any used car beautifully clean.

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