(NC)-Spring is finally here and after the harsh Canadian winter it's time to think about making your car or truck look great once again.

Proper car care starts with a thorough washing. It's important to wash all the road salt, mud and grime that have accumulated on your vehicle and under the wheel wells during the winter.

Greg Morton, general manager of Meguiar's Canada, a manufacturer of automotive appearance care products, said to make sure you use a pH balanced car wash. "Using a harsh detergent like dish wash soap is not recommended as it will strip any car wax off your car".

After washing your car Morton says the next step is to evaluate the surface of your car. "Rub the face of your clean hand across the top surfaces.

If the surface feels rough to the touch, you likely have items such as road tar, bugs or water deposits on your surface. These need to be cleaned off your car before waxing.

Otherwise you won't be waxing your paint but you will be waxing on top of these bonded contaminants." There are a few products on the market to do this such as Meguiar's Quik Clay, Morton said.

After washing and cleaning your vehicle, you need to apply a polish and wax to protect your car's finish from the harsh elements such as UV rays, acid rain, and industrial fallout. "Always use smooth, uniform and even coats for maximum coverage," Morton said.

"Tools are just as important." Morton recommends the use of a high quality microfibre cloth or 100% terry cloth towel. "The use of dish cloths, diapers, or rags will end up scratching your car and doing more harm than good. The paint on your car is very sensitive," Morton says.

In its effort to serve the customer, Meguiar's offers a free personalized Car Care Prescription Guide on its website: www.meguiars.com. Simply type in your car's information and where you live and Meguiar's will prescribe a car care program tailored to your personal needs.