Many enthusiasts prefer to have their cars detailed and hand-washed for the ultimate in appearance and paint protection. “It really comes down to how much water is coming out of those nozzles.” “You really have to know the car wash,” he says. Still, some car washes clean undercarriages better than others. "I like something that cleans the underbody, that’s just getting the junk out.” “Just getting all that stuff off is the focus," he says. “If it’s down by the wheel well, you might trap moisture, you might trap salt, you might trap something that’s low pH that might be corrosive,” he says.Ī high-pressure wash of a car’s undercarriage sprays off those attackers and prevents rust. According to Taljan, rust can start when a car’s built-in protective layers are breached, or if mud, sand, and salt get stuck in hard-to-clean recesses of a vehicle’s underbody. But it’s a good idea to opt for an undercarriage wash at least once a season, especially if you drive through mud or live in a part of the country where roads are salted in winter, CR's experts say. You don't need this option every time you hit the car wash. ![]() ![]() Lamberty also suggests that owners carry a soft towel with them to wipe off any residue left behind from a touchless wash. He says that drivers who usually use touchless washes should occasionally switch it up and get a soft-cloth wash. “You’re relying solely on chemistry,” says Al West, a sales manager at Simoniz, a company that makes chemicals and cleaners for car washes. Trouble is, the gentler touchless combination of sprayed-on water and soap alone doesn’t always remove all of the dirt. “You don’t know who came before you, and what was on their car,” Lamberty says, but now it'll be on your car. If they look dirty, Taljan warns, they’re probably embedded with dirt from other customers’ cars, which can damage yours.ĭirty cloths or brushes can transfer dirt from one car to another. If you can, take a look at the brushes before your car goes through the wash. “But as they’re maintained, that’s where you can get a difference.”įor instance, glossy black exterior trim could end up scratched in washes with hard bristles if they “start to fray and get sharp edges.” “As designs, they’re all capable, and I don’t have any hesitation with any of them,” he says. Taljan says that automotive finishes are durable enough for any kind of wash, but that poorly maintained bristle or soft-cloth washes could create problems. So-called “touchless" washes use chemicals and a powerful water spray to remove dirt. “There’s lubricants in there there’s surfactants in there that break the bond the dirt has with that surface.” Without presoaking, dirt will be dragged across a car’s surface instead of being washed off, Mosesso says. ![]() Cheap car washes might get straight to scrubbing, but a good car wash will apply soap at the beginning and give it a few seconds to soak in. “What kind of brushes are they using? Are they too harsh for the car? Are they using the cheapest soaps?” “They’re looking for added revenues,” she says. They might not replace dirty towels, or use more caustic soaps that remove dirt easily but aren’t as good for a car’s finish. Gina Budhai, a professional detailer and managing partner at Car Pool Detail in Richmond, Va., cautions that those car washes may save you money but hurt your car. “I look for a car wash that’s well-maintained,” he says.Ĭar washes that seem really cheap may have a hidden cost. ![]() If the owners take care of the outside of the wash, chances are they’ll also be investing in good equipment inside, Mosesso says. Eyeball the cars coming out of the wash: Are they clean? Is the building well-cared for? Drivers can check out what online reviewers have to say, but “the best thing is just to pull in and look at it,” says Patrick Mosesso, owner of the Auto Bright Car Wash in Framingham, Mass.
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