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Sometimes the most innocent things can cause great harm. This is exactly what happens with a car wash where a simple mistake can destroy your vehicle. In fact, soap and water cause damage to vital components if they leak on certain occasions. See the dangers and what can be damaged.
This car wash mistake could destroy your vehicle!
The first thing to worry about is washing under the hood of your car or directly washing the engine compartment. Don’t do it!
Parts that can be seriously damaged include the alternator, which is essential for charging the vehicle’s battery.
Alternatively, the computer sensors located inside the vehicle may be threatened, which can make diagnosing damaged parts very difficult.
Under the hood of the car there are all kinds of electronic components, computer drive modules. It is possible to destroy them with water, especially high pressure water.
Water enters the electrical connections, can destroy the alternator, can enter the computer sensors and then it will be difficult to find out what is happening.
But there are other dangers that can result from washing, even if you don’t wash the areas we discussed above.
Using the wrong chemicals or cleaning products can do more harm than good. For example, washing your car with dish soap is a safe way to remove deep dirt and contaminants from paint, rubber, glass and plastic surfaces. However, it also dissolves the protective wax layer of the clear coat, leaving the paint vulnerable to exposure to UV rays, acid rain, and other nasties that deteriorate the finish.
Furthermore, washing a vehicle with dishwashing detergent causes accelerated wear of chrome, rubber, plastic and other unpainted surfaces. The same goes for powder or liquid detergent which, despite being fantastic at removing dirt, mud and grime, is too aggressive for delicate surfaces such as clear coat paint, chrome and glass. Not using dish soap or household detergents is a good start, but here are the top five things to avoid when cleaning any car.
Don’t wash frequently
Periodic washing is essential to keep your car looking new. Additionally, frequent washing or rinsing prevents rust and corrosion during salty winters. Regular spraying of the lower part of the vehicle Clean water when the weather is cold will remove corrosive road salts, stopping them from ruining your car’s chassis, suspension and brakes.
Make it a habit to wash your vehicle at least once a week, especially if you park in open areas. The same applies to older cars with a good-looking paint job. The more you wash, the easier it will be to remove imperfections such as oxidation, light scratches or stains.
Rinse the entire vehicle with clean water before washing it with car shampoo. Washing from top to bottom is a good practice to avoid scratching or swirling the paint. Start by washing the roof, bonnet and trunk before moving on to the windows, doors, bumpers and fenders. Wash the wheels and tires using a separate cleaning product and sponge.
Wash under the hot sun
Do not wash a car in direct sunlight. Although sometimes not practical, washing a car in the shade is better and more comfortable than doing it in the sun. Higher temperatures can prematurely dry the car wash foam. car and cause stains or stains, which may require paint correction or polishing to be removed.
Additionally, prolonged exposure to the sun can damage or irritate your skin. It is preferable to park the vehicle in a shady area before washing. Likewise, avoid washing a hot car. Let it cool for at least an hour before washing it with car shampoo and water. Depending on where you live, the best times to wash a car are early in the morning or mid-afternoon.
The same rule applies if you plan to polish or wax the paint after washing. Most car care products are for cold surfaces and should only be applied in the shade. Read the label before applying any product to your car’s paint.
Do not separate cleaning utensils
Do not use towels or sponges to clean the rims to clean the paint. It is preferable to have separate towels for washing, drying and cleaning the rims and tires. The lower parts of your vehicle are closest to the road and are the dirtiest. Wiping the paint with a towel you used to clean the rims is a sure way to scratch the finish.
It doesn’t matter whether you wash the wheels and tires before or after washing the bodywork. The most important thing is to use separate tools (sponge, brush and cleaning solution) to wash the wheels. Never clean the car body with a cloth previously used to clean the wheels or tires, to prevent scratches from damaging the car’s paintwork.
Wipe off dried paint with a dry towel
Never use a dry towel or duster to remove dust or light dirt. Wiping paint, glass or plastic with a dry towel introduces more damaging friction that can scratch or damage the surface. Dry cleaning a car requires skill, patience and extreme attention to detail.
When cleaning or wiping painted surfaces, minimizing friction is the key to achieving a smooth, glossy finish. If you don’t have the means to wash your car with water and foam, the least you can do is use a damp microfiber towel and cleaning spray to minimize friction during cleaning. Spray the product directly onto the paint and wipe it off with a slightly damp microfiber towel. This technique reduces friction while helping the towel pick up dirt and debris.
Additionally, consistent lubrication is necessary when using a clay bar to decontaminate paint. Never use a clay bar when the paint is dry.
Use ammonia-based window cleaning products
The inside of the windshield and windows must be clean and scratch-free. However, glass (especially car glass) is notoriously difficult to clean. Using an old, contaminated cloth or ammonia-based window cleaners can do more harm than good. Not only can it scratch the delicate surface of the glass, but it can also cause scratches and impede your view of the road.
Ammonia-based window cleaning products emit harmful fumes and can prematurely deteriorate the appearance of plastic and rubber parts. If your car has tinted windows, the ammonia in window cleaning products can fade, scratch or peel the paint. When choosing a window cleaning product for your vehicle, use an ammonia-free product and a specific microfiber towel to avoid scratches.
Now you know the things you need to be careful with when washing your car.
