A good quality car wash will detach all the debris and dirt from car’s surface. It leaves it looking clean and just like new. You must have to choose a car wash that will do a detailed job.
A car wash is not just adding a shine to your vehicle. A full-service car wash gives a detailed washing to both the inside and the outside of car.
Their services should offer a soft and microfiber cloth wash, as it is gentle on your car’s paint and won’t produce marks on it.
Advantages of Car Wash
- Keep the Value of Your Vehicle: A neat and clean car is much more likely to catch a higher price than a filthy, neglected vehicle.
- Improved Safety on the Road: Regular car wash contains cleaning the window’s glass and side view mirrors. It provides you with clear visibility and decreases the risk of accidents. A clean car is more noticeable to other drivers. It increases your presence on the road and enhance overall safety and driving experience.
- Extended Lifespan of Car: It keeps road salts and other corrosive elements away, in this way the vehicle become less liable to rust.
- Better Fuel Efficiency: Dirty cars are less aerodynamic and use more fuel. Dust and dirt create aerodynamic drag, vehicle requires more engine power.
- Read More: Bad Fuel Economy: What You Need to Know
- Cost Savings: Car wash costs about 10$ to 20$ but it protects paint, avoids rust and saves cost on body works in long run.
Industry Revenue of “Car Washes“ in the U.S. from 2012 to 2024
You may understand the importance of car wash from the revenue of this industry. If you notice, a steep upward graph shows its value. Only the year 2020 and 2021 have slightly less revenue due to Corona Virus pandemic.
Disadvanatge of Car Wash: Hidden Risks
- Risk of Scratches: If water is not properly filtered, it can cause fine scratches or swirl marks on the car’s surface due to presence of debris. It reduces its polished look.
- Sensitive Parts Vulnerability: High pressure wash can misalign or even break the intricate parts such as mirrors, antennas, and electric components that requires costly repairs.
- Corrosion Threat: If you perform car washes excessively and do improper, drying moisture in internal components can accelerate the process of corrosion, and reduces lifespan of the vehicle.
- Rubber and Plastic Spoil: Violent cleaning detergents may breakdown gradually the plastic trims and rubber seals. Its excessive use leads to colour fade, brittleness, and even cracking. It is a compromise with the vehicle’s elegance and practicality.
- Wax Deterioration: Wax is a protective layer to paint’s shine. If it continuously expose to strong detergents and cleaners, can lead to the breakdown of the this protective layer. Its breakdown reduces the paint’s shine and leave it exposed to damage.
Environmental Impacts of Car Wash
Injurious Chemicals Release
Water released to water bodies during car wash contains contaminated chemicals (detergents). It poses serious threat to aquatic and human life.
Water Shortage
Car wash contributes to water shortage trouble. Excessive usage is straining local water resources.
Disruption of Ecosystem
Chemical leftovers can disrupt the balance ecosystem. It is affecting human, fish and plant species.
Conclusion: What to Do?
We had discussed advantages and disadvantages of car wash. Question is, if there are so many disadvantages, should i not perform a required car wash?
We should perform a healthy car wash. It is crucial in maintaining your vehicle’s longevity and performance.
it’s essential to be cautious, there are effective ways:
| Problem | Solution |
| Vulnerability of delicate parts | Adjust the settings of pressure washer to lower pressure for delicate or intricate parts. You can cover electric components for enhanced safety. |
| Environmental Impacts | Water saver pressure washers are available. You can perform an eco-friendly car wash. |
| Paint Damages | You can prevent by washing with moderate pressure and from a safe distance. Always use ph-balanced cleaners and soft microfiber cloths. |
| Corrosion Threats | Under body rust inhibitor (sealant) are available to clean underside of vehicle. It prevents from costly damages to frame, engine or other important components. |
