To wash a car without water spots in Arizona, work in the shade early in the morning or in the evening, keep the paint cool, and dry each section with a clean microfiber towel before the water evaporates. Valley tap water is hard, so it leaves behind minerals as it dries, and a hot panel dries it in seconds. Beat the sun and the spots mostly disappear.
Time: about 45 minutes. Skill: easy.
What you need
- Two buckets (one for soap, one for rinsing your mitt)
- Car-wash soap, not dish soap, which can strip wax
- A wash mitt and a soft brush for wheels
- A hose with a spray nozzle
- Two or three clean, dry microfiber or waffle-weave drying towels
- Optional: a spray that helps with drying, often called a quick detailer
Step by step
- Pick the time and place. Park in shade, or wash before about 9 a.m. or after the sun is low. In a Phoenix summer, paint left in the sun can be hot enough that soap dries on it in seconds. Put your hand flat on the hood. If it is too hot to hold there, wait.
- Rinse first. Spray the whole car to knock off loose dust. Arizona dust is gritty, and wiping it dry scratches paint. After a haboob, give the car an extra-long rinse before you touch it.
- Mix the soap. Fill one bucket with water and car-wash soap. Fill the second with plain water for rinsing your mitt.
- Wash top to bottom. Start with the roof, then windows, hood and trunk, then the sides. The lower panels are the dirtiest, so do them last. Rinse the mitt in the plain bucket often.
- Do the wheels last. Brake dust is rough. Use a separate brush so it does not get on your paint mitt.
- Rinse one section at a time. Do not let soap dry. If the sun reaches the car, rinse each panel as soon as you finish it.
- Dry right away. Lay a towel flat on the panel and pull it toward you, or blot. Start at the roof and work down. Switch to a dry towel when the first one gets wet. Open the doors and trunk and wipe the edges, where water hides and drips later.
- Check the glass. Wipe the windows last with a clean towel.
Why do water spots happen in Arizona?
Spots are the minerals left after the water evaporates. Our water has plenty of them, and our heat makes the water disappear fast, before you can wipe it. That is why shade, cool paint and quick drying matter more here than in a wetter state.
If spots are already on the car, try wiping with a towel dampened with a mix of white vinegar and water, then rinse and dry. Do not scrub hard. Spots that have baked in for months may be etched into the paint and need polishing.
Should you wash your car in the monsoon?
Rain does not clean a car. It lands on dust and dries into spots. After a storm, rinse and dry the car the same day when the paint has cooled. A quick rinse is better than leaving muddy spots to bake.
When to call a pro
Washing is an easy job, but some work is better left to a shop. Polishing out etched spots, ceramic coatings, paint protection film and window tint all need the right tools and a clean workspace. A coating can also make the next wash easier. Some shops will come to you.
Some places in the Valley also offer hand washes and express washes, if you want the job done without the hose. For example, ProTech Detailing AZ in Phoenix lists hand washing, ceramic coatings and a mobile unit, Five Star Detailing & Hand Car Wash is a hand wash on West University Drive in Mesa, and Grand Express Wash in Peoria lists unlimited memberships and free vacuums. The list below shows more, with phone numbers.
Questions people ask
Is it okay to wash a car in direct sun in Arizona?
It is best to avoid it. Hot paint dries soap and minerals on the surface in seconds, which leaves spots that are hard to remove. Wash in shade, or early in the morning or in the evening.
Can I use dish soap to wash my car?
It is not a good idea. Dish soap is made to cut grease and can strip wax and sealant from the paint. Car-wash soap is made to clean without that.
How often should I wash my car in the Valley?
Every couple of weeks works for most people, and sooner after a dust storm or rain. Dust, bird droppings and bugs are easier to remove when they are fresh and have not baked on.
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