In the world of car detailing there are questions that keep coming back, in part because there’s no clear-cut, one-size-fits-all answer. One of those questions is, How often should you wash your car?
Let’s begin by saying that washing your car frequently is one of the basic measures to keep your ride in mint condition. Dust and grime tend to accumulate on the surface of your vehicle, and the longer they stay there, the greater the risk of them caking onto the paint.
Dirt caked onto your car’s paint can cause a wide range of problems, from scratches to rust that has the potential to damage the integrity of the body. That’s why washing your car frequently is so important.
A General Rule With Exceptions
Now, How often should you wash your car? Here’s where things get a little tricky. As a general rule, washing your car once a week is considered the standard in most cases.
However, if you live in an area with a dry climate, if during a particular week your car doesn’t get too dirty, or if you park your car in a garage, you may decide to wash your vehicle every two weeks.
By contrast, if you live in an environment with a lot of salt (that may come either from the ocean or from winter roads), you should be extra-cautious when it comes to taking care of your vehicle. Salt is extremely corrosive, so sticking to the one-week rule and inspecting your cart often is a good idea.
What matters the most is washing your car frequently, as neglecting this basic step is one of the main causes of damage to automotive paint.
Some people fear that they may be washing their car too often. This shouldn’t be a concern as long as you take some precautions. For example, avoid using strong chemicals and remember that washing your car by hand is gentler to the paint.
Tips to Wash Your Car
These are some other ideas to keep in mind to be more efficient when you wash your car:
- Work from top to bottom
- Use two (if possible three) buckets of water
- Wax your car to protect the paint
- Use a microfiber cloth for the body and a sponge for the tires and rims
- In general, use separate implements to wash the body and the tires of your car.
At Inland Empire Autobody & Paint Inc. we have the expertise and the drive to always deliver great results. We take pride in our day-to-day workmanship and we work closely with our clients to satisfy their every concern.
We have locations in Moreno Valley and Riverside, California. Call us, contact us through our website or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get information about our services: Collision repair, custom paint, windshield replacement, rim repair, paintless dent removal, auto detail, complete paint jobs and more!