Let’s start by admitting that myths are found everywhere in the automotive industry.
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Some people, not necessarily auto experts, speculate about car washing methods without verifying those “facts.”
While you spend a great amount of your time taking care of your vehicle, your car washing techniques may not reflect that, setting your good intentions for total failure.
Ignoring car washing methods is not the end of the world but not splitting the facts from the fiction could play against you.
Having said that, here are 5 car washing myths that are in desperate need of debunking.
#1 Using diapers, t-shirts, kitchen towels, and/or paper towels is good enough
The fact these type of cloths are good at absorbing water doesn’t mean that they can’t cause any sort of damage to your vehicle.
If you use any of those cloths on your car, you could be at risk of scratching the surface, costing you more money at the end of the day.
Get a premium terrycloth microfiber which has proved to be good at picking up dirt without scratching your vehicle.
#2 Dishwashing detergent is a safe choice for washing your car
Whether you are using dish soap to take care of hard-to-remove dirt on your vehicle, you may need to look closer at your car paint over the long term.
Dish soap could remove any dirt or grim from your car, but it also strips necessary protective coatings and aspirates your car’s paint.
You should also refrain from using it as it accelerates the oxidation process and shortens the life of your car’s paint.
#3 Wax protection lasts one to five years at the most
Car wax beading is a good indicator to determine whether you need to re-wax your vehicle one more time.
You must pay attention to detail in order to discard this myth.
Whether the beads of water are smaller than a quarter right after it rains or washed your vehicle, it means that your car wax is still adding protection.
On the other hand, if the beads of water are thin and elongated, it’s time for you to re-wax your vehicle.
#4 Car washing and car cleaning are the same thing
When it comes to maintenance and care, car washing and car cleaning are definitely not the same.
Paint cleaning, for example, removes bonded contamination and oxidation from your car. At a first glance, your vehicle could be shiny but it could still be dirty.
Whether it still feels rough and bumpy rather than smooth, detailing clay would be the choice to remove exterior contamination without affecting the surface or thinning the clearcoat.
#5 Waxing your vehicle takes care of swirl marks
Waxing cannot take care of swirl marks if that’s your concern. You can only remove them by getting below the surface.
Car wax is good at filling in minor surface scratches and reduces light reflection to make them less visible.
Yet, a few months later you’ll notice that swirl marks return, and they become visible once the wax wears off. To avoid that consider polishing the surface, giving the optimal care to your vehicle.
2 comments
Interesting article! I always used soap to wash my car, but now I think I’ll reconsider and try to used brands designed for car washing
Hello Steve. We are glad that you find this article helpful.