Thrilling rides, graduation dinners, racing spats or family vacations, your car has been with you through so much. Unfortunately, all those adventures came at the cost of something. A hopelessly, dirty car that needs a good washing. What should be the solution to that? Everybody’s “duh” answer would be: take it to a car wash! But did you know that taking it to a car wash can be actually damaging to the aesthetics of your car in the long run. So, before it gets too worn out and you consider selling car in Dubai, have a look at these tips!
The “Dirty” Secret of the Brush-Stroke Method
Those wiry, fibrous brushes that car washers use to wash the car with may be perfect for harsh, vigorous cleaning but there is a noteworthy disadvantage that comes with them. The strokes scrape harshly against the surface of the car. It is too bad you can’t hear the innocent shrieks of your used car against those harsh brush strokes! The surface area of the brush fibres is miniscule, which means that they exert a greater pressure on the surface area of the car. The aggressive contact of the brush strokes leave thin, hairline strokes on the surface coat of the car.
The sponges are not a smart choice either. The surface of the car contains many particles of dirt, grime and debris. The sponge may look soft and lubricating as opposed to the brushes but the surface of the sponge traps gritty particles. So, when the sponge is wiped at the top coat, the grit particles scrape at the top coat leaving thin scratches. You have been officially warned now.
No-Magic in Bottle Cleaners
The cleaners for the car wash normally comes in two categories: acidic cleaners and the alkaline ones. The all-time best cleaners are the alkaline ones. They are effective in their ability to clean even the most stubborn component of organic soils such as asphalt, bug debris and tree sap. Acidic cleaners are mostly used when you need something stronger than alkaline cleaners. This is where the hydrofluoric (HF) acid comes in. HF, though an awesome cleaner, is a strong and highly toxic chemical. Its awesomeness is further dulled when it is found out that it also dissolves most metals and metal hydroxides. Guess what your car is made of? Due to HF usage, your car’s top coat becomes eroded and lackluster.The alkaline cleaners contain silicates, hydroxides, phosphates and carbonates. If used in an off ratio, they too can erode the surface chemistry of the car.
There are also may “citrus-cleaners” that have popped up in the markets. The reality is that they are no better at cleaning than any other conventional cleaners. The difference is an added lemon-y fragrance for customer appeal.
The solvents added in cleaners such as naphtha, kerosene, and mineral ethers have the capacity to burn the top coat of the car. Majority of the cleaners are harsh, tough cleansers designed to remove dirt but not to preserve the glossiness of the car.
The Water Pressure is no Friend of Yours Either!
You might be thinking after reading the above that a “touchless method” of cleaning is a great option. However, the high-pressure systems come with their own set of problems.The high-impact pressure-nozzle systems blast the cars at a speed of about 100-400 psi at an angle of around 30- 50 degrees. Suffice it to say, the fast optimization speed is damaging to the car. Paint is more likely to get peeled upon contact with high-water pressure. In addition, high-pressure systems leave small water marks on the car surface.
Think of the Bigger Picture
Well, the bigger picture in this context is the environment. One car washes uses up a generous amount of water– around 125 gallons. That is a gross wastage of natural resources for just one car! Couple that with the cons of car washing and you find out that car washing is benefitting no one. Not you, not your car and certainly not the environment.
Many people opt for a car washes because they are time-effective, hassle-free and a convenient option for the non-car gurus. Ironically, you may be doing more harm than good by sending your car to a car wash when all you need to accomplish stellar cleaning are these three things.
- A mild PH balanced cleanser (slightly on the alkaline scale)
- A microfiber washcloth which lifts dirt and reduces “dirt scraping and friction”
- A microfiber towel for drying
So, there you go. Car washes may not be as difficult as you think. Slap on some sweats and get started!
Here are some other great maintenance tips to not just improve the quality of your car but to also increase its resale value in UAE. Be sure to check out CarSwitch.com if you want to sell car in Dubai.
