Do Supercars Need Super Cleaning?

Imagine then that you have spent a Kings ransom on a supercar, a car that mere mortals could only dream of and by the time you shown all of your friends, you (or your chauffeur) need to clean it.

So, what car cleaning products do you use to make the paintwork look like new again without causing the ubiquitous swirl marks and fading commonly associated with traditional car washing? Because Supercars are special cars, special care must be taken to keep them clean. The trick is not to be scared of cleaning your supercar.

Paintwork: The first step is a routine washing to remove dust, road grime, and other contaminants. The second is a more thorough cleaning process to prepare your car's paint for a protective coating (such as wax).

Supercars should always be washed by hand - never by an automated machine like you'd find at a petrol station. Taking the time to wash your paintwork correctly will pay off with fewer scratches and swirl marks in your paint. When washing, you'll need a few simple items: a hose with an adjustable spray nozzle, a wash mitt, a bucket, and some soap. Sheepskin wash mitts are a good choice for cleaning your supercar, but don't settle for synthetic sheepskin. Natural sheepskin lasts longer, holds more water, and is safer to use on your paint. Be sure that your wash mitt has been thoroughly cleaned since the last time you used it. Pine needles, rocks, sand, and other debris that may be tangled in your wash mitt will scratch your paint.

"The soap you choose when washing your car is important. Don't use household dish soap or other abrasive cleaners. Use a specialty car cleaning product which is designed to remove dirt and road grime without damaging your paint" says Jonathan Copping of speciality car cleaning supplier Croftgate "Make sure your bucket is clean, put some soap in, and then squirt your hose in the bucket to create some suds."

"If a shady location is available, it's best to wash your car here. This will help slow the drying process and allow you to manually dry your car to eliminate water spots," he continued.

"Before you start washing, be sure you give your car a light rinse with the spray nozzle. Use either a mist setting or a gentle shower setting, but don't squirt your paint with a spray nozzle at full strength. This light rinsing will remove any loose dust and dirt, and will lessen your chances of scratching your paint with the wash mitt."