Have you recently watched a DIY car wash tutorial on streaming platforms and decided to start doing the same at home? Well, watching a video doesn’t come close to rolling up those sleeves and actually getting down to it. That’s why we’re breaking all car wash myths down in this blog post.
It’s never a good idea to blindly follow what a random influencer or self-acclaimed car wash guru spews on about how easy it is to clean your car at home in a 2-minute video! First of all, unless you have superpowers equivalent to the Flash or Quicksilver, it is not exactly easy to wash your car in 2 minutes. So, the next time you see a DIY with such catchy titles, think twice! Ever since the internet existed, there have always been opportunists who’d do anything to drive traffic over to their content.
In a way, these opportunists may indeed be responsible for the introduction of clickbait culture into mainstream social media. While being harmless in most scenarios, there are always toxic clickbait, especially DIY methods and suggestions that cause more harm than good. When it comes to car care, these harmful methods could often lead to permanent cosmetic damage. These half-baked ideas can often lead to mechanical issues that you end up spending more money to fix. To help you steer clear of such misinformed or ill-conceived ideas that aren’t backed by actual proof, we recommend you always do your research first. Here are some of the most toxic car wash myths and how easily we can bust them for good.
Scratch Erasers Don’t Work!
One of the biggest car wash myths that tens of thousands fall for all the time is the heavily telemarketed claim that a magical eraser can remove the scratches that form on your car’s exterior over time. It may help hide tiny scratches (which are invisible at first glance anyway), but it does not fix medium to large-sized scratches. Visible (ugly) scratches are usually deep paint scratches that require a professional touch to fix. You would need someone capable of wet sanding the scratched area, machine polishing the damaged area, and applying primer, base coat, and the final clear coat without scratching the surface.
Don’t Use Dishwasher Detergents!
The biggest scam in DIY car washes is the claim that dishwasher detergents work wonders for a car wash at home. First off, there is a reason why people call it a ‘dishwasher’ detergent. Secondly, dishwashers are made up of solutions that are designed to remove everything from the surface. When you remove everything from the surface, this also means that you run the risk of stripping the clear coat and primary coat of paint on your car’s body. If you want your car to look clean, avoid using dishwasher detergents on your car at all costs.
Rain Wash is Not Equal to a Car Wash!
Here’s another car wash myth! Leaving your car exposed to the rain can leave some folk thinking that they’ve got an au natural (and free) car wash. On the contrary, the effects are mostly the exact opposite. Rainwater is never clean water. Therefore, it is never a good idea to consider a rain wash as a replacement for a car wash. If you don’t trust this statement, consider giving an automatic car wash during the rainy season and take a picture right before stepping out into the rain.
Now leave the car in the rain and take a picture afterward. If you zoom in on the image, you will soon realize that there are white spots across the car’s bodywork due to rainwater. If you are unsure about car wash vendors, you can check out websites like Way.com to get access to info about the best car care services in your area.
Make Car Washes Periodical!
There are two types of people when it comes to car wash routines. On the one hand, some people get their cars washed regularly, while others end up cleaning their cars only when they notice any visible muck (or when someone points out how dirty the car is beginning to look!) If you are the second type of person, it is high time that you change by adopting regular car washes into your routine. While muck and mud on the exterior of a car are visible, the same dirt and muck at the car’s bottom part, exhaust, or mudflaps go unnoticed. It is not just the car exterior that requires cleaning, after all. If you have difficulties managing time schedules, consider going for an automatic car wash, which will do the job for you at a small fee.
Choose Your Car Wash Cloth Wisely!
It goes without saying how important it is to use a microfiber cloth or wash mitt while cleaning your car at home. Most of us do not care about the clothes that we use for washing and only check whether the clothes are clean. However, even if the fabric is super smooth, you will create scratches on the surface unless the cleaning materials are terry fiber or chamois. The internet is full of claims (read myths) that materials like paper towels, bath towels, and old t-shirts don’t scratch your vehicle. This couldn’t be further from the truth – this is a warning!
Also, don’t forget, the Way app offers professional and top-rated car wash services at great prices.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
