It’s more important than you might think to clean your car regularly, preferably before a quarter inch of road dirt and bug guts has deposited itself on the surface. This is because all of those unsavory things clinging to your car cause damage to your paint and body. Springing for a weekly car wash will cost a lot less than a trip to the body shop.

Winter Cleaning Tips

Just because the weather is frightful, doesn’t mean you should skip out on washing your vehicle. In fact, salt used for snow removal in many places around Ohio can totally wreak havoc on the body of your car and will eventually cause an ugly case of oxidation. That’s a nice way of saying rust. In freezing temperatures, it’s advisable to take your car to a professional car wash where they’ll be sure to dry you off completely before sending you back out in the frosty air. This will prevent your car from becoming a moving ice cube, or at least stave off frozen-shut doors.

At-Home Car Wash Tips

While it’s always recommended to go for a professional car wash, you can get decent results at home if you follow a few guidelines.

• Let it cool down. Never wash your car when it’s still hot from running or from sitting out in the sun. This can cause soap to dry and harden before you can rinse it off.
• Use a product specifically designed for washing automobiles. Don’t use dish soap or any other kind of household cleaner. These can deteriorate your car’s exterior. If you’re going to wash at home, invest in a quality car washing soap.
• Use a clean, soft sponge and avoid washing in a circular motion since this can scratch your paint.
• Use a separate sponge for tires and other areas that accumulate more dirt and debris. Inspect the sponge you use on the main areas regularly to make sure it isn’t harboring any unwanted stowaways, like rocks or salt crystals.
• Always dry immediately after rinsing, using a chamois or a very soft towel — unless you enjoy water spots.

Clean and Green

The most eco-conscious thing you can do in regard to car washing is not to wash it yourself. Really. Professional car washing services must follow strict regulations for water usage and disposal, whereas well-intentioned people washing their own cars at home often contaminate storm drains with harmful chemical cleaners. If you like doing it yourself, go to a self-service car wash bay. They must also provide environmentally sound drainage. If you absolutely have to wash at home, make sure you do it on top of grass, gravel, or some other permeable surface.

At Crown Eurocars in Dublin — proudly serving our neighbors in Hilliard, Powell, and Columbus — we care about cars long after they’ve left our lot. Talk to us about ordering special glaze coatings from the factory to give your car an extra line of defense against assaulting forces like salt and mud. We’re here to answer all your automotive questions!

Marc Wigler

Crown Eurocars