We all know that car washes can cause damage to the finish of your car, but what about the actual process of washing it? Old-style car washes use abrasive brushes to scrub your car’s paintwork, leaving tiny scratches in its finish. These brushes are especially damaging to your car’s finish, since older cars have a single-stage paint system with no clear coat above the color coat. Today, most cars have a base/clear system that includes a transparent layer of clear coat. Once your car is washed, the only way to repair the scratch is to repaint.
Touchless car washes are safer than hand washes
In contrast to hand washes, touchless car washes use high pressure water to clean cars. In addition to the gentle, yet effective soap, the high-pressure wash removes dirt and grime. This helps avoid the abrasive effects of brushes and wet mats, which can damage the paintwork. This method also offers many advantages. Here are some of them:
In addition, high-pressure water jets can damage paintwork and cause scratching and fading. High-pressure car washes also leave fine dust behind, which can be difficult to remove. They may not be as effective as hand washes, but still provide a superior level of cleanliness for your car. If you’re not convinced, try a self-serve car wash or tunnel wash instead.
Hand washes scratch paintwork
Cars often appear shabby after being washed by hand. The process removes all the protective layer of paint, leaving the paintwork exposed to a wide range of foreign bodies, including dirt, bugs, salt and acid rain. Consequently, hand washing causes more scratches. Even though there is no proven method to stop scratches, you can avoid them by following some simple car wash safety tips. But beware of the pitfalls!
Hand washes scratch car paintwork because the process of washing the car uses high-pressure water that can damage the clear coat. Hand washing can cause this type of damage, especially if you use chamois leather to dry the car. While chamois leather can absorb water, it can also scratch the paintwork. The best way to avoid these problems is to learn the latest car wash techniques and use professional car wash supplies.
Drive-thru car washes scratch paintwork
You might be familiar with jumbo sponges, the symbols of car washes everywhere – maybe you even have one in your garage. While they are an effective way to clean your car, they can cause some damage to its finish. For one, they leave swirl marks and light scratches on the paintwork. Moreover, jumbo sponges contain tiny holes, which trap dirt and grime and transfer it to the paint. As a result, your car ends up looking much older and may even damage the resale value.
Another common cause of scratches on your car is the improper handwashing technique. Typically, car washes do not clean their equipment thoroughly, so they end up scratching your car’s paintwork. The reason for this is the dirty water and tools used by the drive-through car wash machines. Therefore, it is vital to follow the car wash instructions carefully before allowing them to clean your car.
Leave a Reply