The brushes used in these car washes are more likely to cause scratches on your vehicle's paint and can even damage the clear coat of your car. Dirt in these unreachable spots over time can cause damage. Most car washes use a strong jet of hot air to flush out excess water after the car goes through the wash. Many full-service car washes will ask you to drive the car (or drive it for you) away from the wash area for attendants to clean it by hand.
This is generally OK, as long as attendees use clean, clean (and soft) towels to do so. However, stay alert on busy days, when other cars have been ahead of you. If you see attendees using obviously dirty rags to clean the car, you should say thank you, but no thanks and drive away in a wet car. Dirt and other abrasives from rags can scratch the finish just like sandpaper.
Simply walking away from the wash and letting air flow over the car to dry the remaining water won't damage anything, and it's the best guarantee of a damage-free experience. Any stubborn streak can be easily cleaned at home with available aerosol cleaners designed for this purpose. The Honda Pro & Polish spray cleaner is excellent for this; it also provides UV protection and easily and safely cleans insects, tar and road dirt, etc. The truth is that dirt is abrasive and will scratch the transparent layer of your car.
Some argue that an automatic car wash will do the same. However, the damage can be much worse if dirt is left on the car and becomes stained. Road mud and tar can also trap moisture that causes corrosion. And of course, salt and other corrosive compounds can cause rust.
Bird droppings, insect splashes, and acid rain can damage the paint finish if not removed quickly. It's much better to wash your car regularly than just leave it alone and let it deteriorate. No one can deny that car washes from the car have a certain appeal. They are often connected to service stations, which makes them very convenient.
Completing two errands at one stop basically kills two birds with one stone. However, there are several reasons why the most convenient option may not be the best long-term option for servicing the exterior of your vehicle. A contactless car wash is OK from time to time, but regular exposure to these chemicals has the potential to degrade the finish. We understand that it's not realistic to get details of your car every month, but it's worth doing it two or four times a year to take care of what other car washes (whether in the self-service or in the hand wash) miss.
And while underbody rust inhibitors in a car wash are not nearly the same as those applied by the manufacturer, repelling pollutants has some benefits. In addition, soaps or foams used in car washes are formulated to be a lubricant that helps break the bond between dirt and the paint layer. Even though this doesn't seem too bad, you should remember that your basic car wash usually only includes a little soap and rinse. If you clean your car regularly, you decrease the likelihood that any of these contaminants will cause damage to the paint.
In fact, not only may they not clean your car, but they can also make the finish of your car a little more harmful than beneficial. Professional details feature a full complement of car care services ranging from clay bar treatment to remove contaminants already embedded in the paint finish, machine polishing to restore shine, to careful application of wax or sealant. For some cars, once a month is sufficient, especially if the car is underused and parked in a garage. In addition to frequent car washes, an occasional appointment with a professional retailer can help add years of life to your car's paint finish.
.If you need more help with tips to maintain your car check out this complete guide to looking after your car. This guide will help you discover ways to keep your car looking fresh and retain its value so that when you come to sell it you get much more than you would get if you hadn't maintained it.
