Quick Guide to Safely Cleaning a Car After Body Repair Work

River North Collision Repair • July 31, 2025

A person washing the front of their car with a yellow sponge. There is white soap across the hood of the vehicle.

Got your car back from the body shop? That’s great! But before you try to rinse the car down, consider waiting. Washing a recently repaired vehicle requires a bit more care than a typical weekend car wash routine.

The freshly worked area needs time to set properly before you start cleaning it. Follow this quick guide to safely clean your car after body repair work.

Wait for the Right Time

Patience is key to safely cleaning your car after bodywork. Most body shops recommend waiting at least 30 days before washing the vehicle. During this curing period, the paint continues to harden and bond properly.

Light cleaning is perfectly fine, just avoid aggressive washing techniques. Daily Chicago commutes can make the car dirty, so gentle spot cleaning can make it look good without damaging the new paint.

Choose the Best Cleaning Method

Handwashing cars always beats automatic car washes. The spinning brushes and high-pressure jets at automated facilities can damage fresh paint or newly installed parts.

When washing, use two buckets: one for soapy water and the other for rinsing the washcloth. By keeping the two buckets separate, dirt can’t scratch your fresh paint when you reload with soap.

Pick the Right Products

Car soaps vary significantly from one another, with some being better options than others. Choose a pH-neutral car wash soap specifically designed for automotive paint.

Avoid household detergents, such as dish soap; they’re too harsh and can strip the protective coatings from your new paint. Use microfiber towels to clean the car. Other options, like terry cloth towels, can leave tiny scratches on the vehicle’s pristine finish.

Master the Gentle Touch Technique

Start at the top of your car and work your way down. This way, the dirty water won’t drip onto areas that have already been cleaned. Use straight, overlapping motions rather than circular scrubbing, which can create swirl marks.

Don’t obsess over the repaired areas. Treat them gently, but remember that properly done body work should be just as durable as the original paint.

Signs Your Car is Ready for a Wash

Your vehicle is ready to be washed normally once the paint has properly cured. You’ll know the paint is fully cured when it feels smooth to the touch and has a consistent sheen across all surfaces.

If you notice any irregularities, such as soft spots, sticky areas, and color differences, after the curing period, contact the body shop immediately. This is a sign to wait before washing your car and check for any bodywork issues.

Keep Your Investment Looking Good With River North Collision Repair

Taking care of your car after body work doesn’t have to be complicated. Using this guide, you can safely clean your vehicle after bodywork. A little patience and the right techniques will keep that fresh-from-the-shop look for years to come. Remember, proper aftercare protects both your investment and your car’s value.

If you want to keep your vehicle looking its best with one of the premier auto body shops in Chicago, visit River North Collision Repair. With a variety of repairs, we can keep your car looking pristine throughout the year. Contact us today for an estimate on your vehicle’s body work.

< Older Post Newer Post >

Mail

Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.