| |
Q: I wash my car at home using a garden hose. Lately, the
finish looks dull and marked. What could be wrong?
A: Washing your car at home is extremely harmful to the finish
since University of Texas proved that a single home hand-wash
can leave scratches in the finish as deep as 1/10 of the paint's
total thickness. Also, the average garden hose cannot supply
enough water and water pressure with the detergent action to
avoid damaging a car's finish.
This important study concluded that automobile owners should
avoid washing their cars at home. Only a professional car wash
can provide the proper amounts of water and water pressure
needed with the appropriate cleaning solutions to safely and
effectively clean your car.
Back to top
Q: How can I keep my whitewall tires looking
like whitewalls?
A: Don't use scouring pads to clean whitewalls. They deteriorate
the whitewall surface. Your self-service car wash in most cases
provides whitewall cleaner and the proper wash pressure to clean
the tires.
Back to top
Q: Does it really help a car's value to keep
its finish looking new?
A: Yes! Appearance is the first thing that people look for in a
used car. If a car's finish turns buyers off, it's virtually
impossible to get a good price—no matter how well the car runs.
The car which is noticeably rusted, dull and spotty will sell
for significantly less than the same car with a showroom finish.
Proper care of the car's appearance will definitely pay off at
trade-in time!
Back to top
Q: Is it true that my new car shouldn't be
washed or waxed for a certain period of time?
A: This may have been true a long time ago, but with the new
modern acrylics and enamels, your new car's finish needs tender
care immediately.
Be careful to wash your car properly. Most new cars are treated
with a clear-coat finish. It's important that you exercise
extreme care—especially when washing your new car for the first
few times. Many initial washing errors result in water spots,
setting stains and loss of luster. Without the benefit of
protective coating layers that your car will receive over the
years, mistakes made during the first few washes may not be
correctable.
Should you decide to wax your car, use a wax that's compatible
with your paint. Check your owner's manual and the wax's label
for instructions.
The best advice is to trust your car's finish to a professional
from the beginning.
Back to top
Q: How often should I have my car washed?
A: It depends. If your car is exposed to corrosive materials
like salt, sand and industrial fallout, it should be washed
often. The same goes for vehicles in areas with high humidity.
Moisture attracts contaminants and promotes a variety of
chemical reactions that can destroy your car's finish. Frequent
washing is essential to the life of your car's chrome and
painted surfaces.
In seasons or climates less conducive to corrosion, a wash every
two weeks or so is adequate. In areas with acid rain, a wash
every ten days is advised. Of course, these estimates may vary
depending upon whether your car is kept in a garage or out in
the elements.
Back to top
Q: Periodically, I notice a layer of residue
on my car's finish. Is it from the atmosphere? Is it harmful?
A: What you are referring to are black particles that come from
areas of heavy traffic. They are gritty, abrasive substances
coming off tires as they wear. Also, chemicals from diesel smoke
and other emissions in the atmosphere settle on your car's
surface. If this residue isn't removed immediately, permanent
damage to the finish can result.
Back to top
Q: Why does my car ride better after I've had
my car washed? Am I imagining it?
A: Not at all! Actually, it's very simple. Dirt and grime
collect in the areas around your car's wheels. The concentrated
spray at professional car washes loosens and rinses the grime,
giving you a smother ride. The spray also helps prevent rusting
inside the wheel wells—the most difficult type of rust to stop.
In addition, tests show that a properly cleaned and waxed car
has less wind resistance resulting in a smoother ride and
improved fuel economy.
Back to top
Q: When should I wash off insect residue?
A: As soon as possible, especially if the car is new. Insect
residue and bird droppings form acids that immediately start to
eat away a car's finish.
Back to top
Q: What is the major cause of rust?
A: Rust is simply the oxidation of untreated metal surfaces when
they contact the elements. Moisture is the main cause of rust.
Since dirt attracts and traps moisture, a dirty car is the
instigator of almost all car rust, especially in those hidden
areas behind the chrome and trim. Only a professional car wash
operator has the equipment and know-how to effectively reach all
those hard-to-reach places and remove corrosion-producing grime
before damage is done.
Back to top
Q: What can I do to remove the tar that
occasionally gets on my car?
A: Tar and certain oils used on roads require extremely strong
solvents to remove. Naturally, we cannot use these solvents when
we wash your car since just a few washes with such strong
chemicals could harm your car's finish. There are many excellent
tar solvents on the market and we would be happy to recommend
one to you. A word of caution—follow directions carefully and
wash your car as soon as possible after using such a solvent.
Back to top
Q: Lately, my windshield smears when I run
my wipers. What am I doing wrong?
A: Perhaps you haven't changed your wiper blades recently. Most
manufacturers recommend installing new blades every three
months. This will prevent wearing and smearing, which impairs
your vision dangerously.
Back to top
Q: Isn't rain a natural, cost-effective car
wash?
A: No! Rain and snow contain acid that eats away at the paint
and finish of vehicles. After acid rain falls on a car, the
water evaporates, but the acid remains. Concentrated by
sunlight, this acid can become so strong that it will eat
through the finish, ruining the vehicle's paint and appearance.
Back to top
Q: If my car has a high-gloss "clear coat"
finish, do I still need to wax it?
A: Yes! Most new cars have a high-gloss clear coat finish
which is easily damaged from acid rain. The sun's ultraviolet
(UV) rays, salt, and road wear and tear also damage cars. Wax is
an effective and efficient way to shine and protect a car's
finish. Wax your car every six months. More frequent waxes are
needed if your car is red, black or white because these colors
are more susceptible to acid rain and UV rays.
Back to top
Q: Aren't hand washings safer for my car and
the environment?
A: No! Dirt that collects in wash water, sponges and chamois
will scratch the paint. Hand washings use nearly twice the
amount of water than professional car washes. Cleaning solutions
professional washes use are biodegradable and safe for the
environment. Also, high-pressure water at self-serve and
professional washes cleans cars better and faster.
Back to top
Q: What kind of car wash will do a good job
of cleaning my car?
A: Any professional car wash-full-serve or self-serve-can
effectively clean your car without damaging it. There are
several kinds of professional car washes using variations of
touchless, semi-touchless, cloth or brush methods of cleaning.
In any case, high-pressure water and detergents are used to
remove dirt and other potentially damaging particles from your
car's finish, wheel wells and undercarriage. A final fresh water
rinse leaves cars spot-free. Blowers or towel-drying remove
excess water from the car.
Back to top
Q: What if I don't have the time or money to
wash and wax my car regularly?
A: You can't afford not to protect your investment! A
professional car wash offers safe, fast, high-quality washes at
affordable prices.
Back to top
Start protecting your
vehicle's longevity today, see our available
wash services or contact one of our service representative. |
