Table of contents: Automatic washing installations ↓ Hand wash ↓ Washing with high pressure cleaning… ↓
Frequent washing is an effective means of protecting your car.
The best way to protect your car from the harmful effects of the environment is to wash it frequently and preserve the paintwork. The frequency of washing and subsequent treatment of the paintwork depends on many factors, such as:
- intensity of exploitation;
- usual parking mode (garage, under trees, etc.);
- time of year;
- weather conditions;
- environmental factors.
The longer the dirt remains stuck to the paintwork (bird droppings, insect marks, road dust, industrial emissions, bitumen stains, soot particles, road salt and other aggressive deposits), the stronger their destructive effect. High temperatures (for example, under intense sun exposure) or the fall of dew at night increases their corrosive effect.
So, depending on the circumstances, it may be enough to wash the car once a week. But it may be enough to wash it once a month with subsequent preservation of the paintwork.
After the period of sprinkling the road surface with salt is completed, be sure to thoroughly wash the underbody.
Attention. Remember that washing your car in winter, due to moisture and ice, may cause deterioration of the braking effect of the braking system.
Automatic washing installations
The car can be washed without any problems in an automatic car wash.
The car's varnish is durable enough for a regular car wash in automatic car wash systems. Of course, the actual load on the paintwork largely depends on the design of the car wash system, water filtration, and the detergents and car care products used. If a matte shade of varnish or even scratches appear after washing, inform the car wash personnel about this. If necessary, use another car wash system for washing.
When using an automatic car wash, it is sufficient to follow the usual precautions (pre-close windows and roof panel). The factory-fitted roof antenna does not need to be removed. The wing-mounted antenna needs to be unscrewed.
When equipping your vehicle with special accessories, such as a spoiler, roof rack support system, radio antenna, etc., it is best to consult with the car wash personnel.
Hand wash
Washing a car by hand requires a lot of water.
- First, soak and wash off the dirt.
- Wash the car with a sponge from top to bottom.
- Use shampoo only in exceptional cases.
- Rinse the car with water.
- Dry the car with glass cleaning leather.
When washing by hand, first soak the dirt with plenty of water and then rinse it off as best as possible.
Then wash the car with a soft sponge, glove or washing brush, without pressing hard on the surface. Start washing from the roof and then downwards. Use shampoo only to remove stuck dirt. Rinse the sponge or washing glove regularly and thoroughly.
Wheels, thresholds, etc. are washed last. Use a different sponge to wash them.
When washing the underbody, inner surface of wheel arches or hubcaps, protect your hands from damage by metal components with sharp edges - there is a risk of cuts.
Carefully
- Do not wash your car in bright sunlight - there is a risk of damaging the paintwork.
- When watering your car with a hose in winter, do not direct the stream of water at the locks or door joints - there is a risk of freezing.
- Do not use insect sponges, hard kitchen sponges, etc. - risk of damaging the surface.
- Only wet cleaning of headlights is allowed - preferably with soapy water. Never clean headlights with a dry cloth or sponge.
Washing with high pressure cleaning devices
If certain rules are followed, the car can also be washed with high-pressure cleaning devices.
- Follow the high pressure cleaner manufacturer's instructions.
- Maintain a sufficiently large distance from the soft components of the vehicle.
When washing a car with a high-pressure cleaning device, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the device. This applies especially to pressure and spray distance. Keep a sufficiently large distance from soft materials such as rubber hoses or insulation materials.
Under no circumstances should non-directional nozzles or dirty cutters be used.
Especially tires should never be cleaned with non-directional nozzles. Even with a fairly large spray distance and a very short action time, damage can occur.