The Dos and Don’ts of Washing Your Audi This Summer

Growing up, it was a tradition in our house that once you reached a certain age, you were in charge of washing the car throughout the summer. Every other Saturday we’d lug our buckets and rags out to the driveway, turn on the hose, and begin a process that would ultimately end in a water fight that would leave my siblings and me soaking wet. As fantastic as our family’s Ford looked when we were finally done, however, my parents were adamant about one thing: we were to never touch the Audi.

As much as this confused me when I was younger, I can see the reasoning behind it today. The family Ford was an older model; throughout the years it had seen us through a variety of Little League sports, camping trips, and grocery store runs. Its paint was scratched and there were a few dings in the side that to this day I still blame on my brother. The Audi, however, was my parent’s pride and joy. It was the car we took to church on Sunday and the one my dad drove to the office every weekday.

My parents let us wash the Ford because there was no harm in letting us do it. They knew a few more scratches or some dried suds wouldn’t make it any less desirable. When it came to the Audi, though, precautions needed to be taken. Without experience and knowhow, it could have easily become the next family car.

Are you thinking about washing your car yourself? Whether you own a brand new Audi or any other model, here are a few dos and don’ts to DIY car washing that will keep your car looking fantastic.

Tips for Washing Your Audi

• Don’t wash the Audi when its exterior is hot. This can cause the water and soap to dry much faster, making it difficult to clean the surface properly. The dried suds can also dull the finish. Wash the car first thing in the morning, when it hasn’t been exposed to the sun’s heat for too long or park it in a shaded area.
  

• Do hose the Audi off before washing it. Pre-rinsing the car will not only help to cool down the car’s exterior, but it will also get rid of a lot of loose debris. Without the pre-rinse, the debris could become caught under a towel or sponge and scratch the paint.
  

• Don’t use dish soap, laundry soap, or a household cleaner to wash the car. Many Audi owners make this common mistake and end up stripping the protective wax coating on the car and dulling the paint. Use only soap that is formulated to be used on cars; this type of soap can generally be purchased at any location that sells Audi parts and other car parts.
  

• Do check the seal around the bonnet before washing. A broken seal could allow water to leak under the bonnet during the process. While water may not harm some car parts, Audi parts like distributors, alternators, coil packs, and air filters should never get wet. Leaking water can also cause problems for electrical car parts in newer vehicles.
  

• Don’t use the same cloth, sponge, or mitt, you used for the rest of the car to clean the tyres. These Audi parts are subjected to a lot of road debris and brake dust and are often the dirtiest areas of the vehicle. Use a separate sponge or cloth, and use a brush for stubborn grime and dirt.
  

Think you know how to wash your Audi? While it may seem simple, washing a car incorrectly can result in serious damage to Audi parts, paint finishes, and protective wax. Use these tips to keep the car safe and looking new.