Washing your car isn’t actually as simple as it seems. If done improperly, you can risk damaging your paint. And if it’s not done at all, your car may rust sooner than expected. Luckily, it’s easier to tell when your car needs a wash than if your clutch or brakes need replacement.
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But cleaning your car involves more than just soap and water. That’s why rain alone won’t clean your car, even though people do this.
Despite what you may think, rainwater isn’t necessarily 100% clean. In fact, this article recommends against drinking it without caution. And you can’t substitute rain for a proper wash.
In a Journal interview, atmospheric scientist Steve Ackerman explains there’s more than just water inside a raindrop. As rain falls, it collects atmospheric pollutants: dust, pollen, soot, rock chips, and so on. These are the water spots you see on vehicles after storms.
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Also, Dr Kenneth Rubin of the University of Hawaii explains these pollutant particles are often what raindrops condense onto in the first place. That’s why the air seems cleaner after a storm: the rain drew pollutants out of the air.
In addition, Washington University’s Rachel Casiday and Regina Frey explain even unpolluted rainwater is actually somewhat acidic, thanks to atmospheric CO2. But, in heavily polluted areas, SOx and NOx emissions create acid rain. This is so acidic it can kill wildlife, pollute rivers, and even erode buildings.
Should I Was My Car Immediately After The Rain?
It might be tempting to wipe the dirt and dust away when you see a water-spot-covered car. Especially if your local rain is acidic, leaving the car dirty can accelerate corrosion. The left-behind minerals and dirt can also adhere to the paint itself, causing further damage.
Wiping the water spots does remove the dirt, Auto Detail Doctor reports, especially if you use a microfiber rag. Microfiber cloths grab onto and secure dirt rather than just spread it around, which causes micro-scratches in the paint. Detailing sprays can provide additional touch-up help. However, microfiber can only hold so much dust.
How Many Times Should I Clean My Car?
This article states that washing your car or truck roughly every 2 weeks should be sufficient. Regular waxing should be included to improve the appearance and add further paint protection.
However, if you live in an area with salted roads, you should be washing more regularly to prevent rust.
Conclusion
Fortunately, much of the damage rain can do to your car takes time. And modern automotive paints aren’t as delicate as they once were. So, if you can’t drop everything to clean your vehicle after a brief shower, it won’t be the end of the world.
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