The following article was submitted by Mike Lee and Matt Zakarian of Detailing Dynamics Online, Santa Clara, CA 95051, www.detailingdynamics.com.

You'd be surprised at how much good you can do to your car's finish just by washing it properly. On the other hand, improper washing can dull, deteriorate and scratch you Lotus' paint.

First, you need to choose a car wash shampoo. Most of the over-the-counter soaps to stay away from contain solvents, sodium, or harsh detergents that will erode the wax. Dishwashing and laundry detergents are inappropriate because of their high alkaline content. The finest shampoos are biodegradable, pH balanced, and will not strip your Lotus' wax or dry its vinyl and rubber. Some of the better shampoos also contain natural oils and other ingredients to combat long-term rusting and to protect the car's surface. The addition of these oils reduces the possibility of minute scratches by suspending small particles above the surface. Even microscopic dust particles take on the characteristics of sandpaper when rubbed across your car. Realizing this, by the way, should dispel the belief that it is best to wash using only plain water.

Your choice of washing accessories is just as important as selecting the right shampoo. Dust and dirt particles become embedded in synthetic sponges and wash mitts. Grime buildup eventually causes serious surface scratches that are often blamed on other sources. I strongly suggest that you use (in order of preference) only the highest quality natural-sea-wool-grade sponges, genuine sheepskin mitts or 100% chenille cotton mitts. When using a natural sponge, use only it's flat side. The rounded side is actually the rough skeleton of a dead animal.

Always wash your Lotus in the shade. Rinse the surface very thoroughly and always work from the top down. You are better off using too little soap than too much, which will leave a residue if not rinsed off completely. Use lots of water and leave the dirtiest part(s) of the car, the front bumper and behind the wheels, for last.

Make sure you hand dry your car immediately after washing and I recommend a towel which is a microfiber waffle weave that is safe and will not leave streaks like other synthetic or natural chamois. If you own other chamois, continue to use them but always make sure they are clean. We recommend washing them after every use and use only liquid detergents and never add fabric softeners. The powder detergents may not dissolve completely during the wash and will act like sandpaper on your paint when drying and the fabric softeners will cause streaking. Then finish your windows and chrome to prevent streaking and spotting.

I always prefer to go over the paint with instant detailer spray with a synthetic microfiber to remove any remaining water marks.

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