Why Your Car Cleaning Routine Might Be Doing More Harm Than Good
Pakistan is a tough place for cars. The summer heat in Lahore isn't too harsh to put up with, but the dust storms, the monsoon humidity, and the pothole filled roadways are all taking a toll on your car's paint and interior. The majority of people react by washing their cars more often, which makes sense. However, it's not about how often you clean, it's about how you're doing it.There are a lot of people in Pakistan who have a habit of cleaning their cars that is not at all harmful but is slowly causing damage to them. The paint is faded, there are swirls and dashboards are cracked a lot of this is self-inflicted. Let's discuss the top 5 errors and what you need to do instead.
Mistake 1 : Washing Your Car with Dish Soap or Laundry Detergent
In any Pakistani neighbourhood on a Sunday morning, there is a high likelihood of a car being being washed with either Pril or Surf Excel. There's a sound financial argument. Car shampoo looks expensive and soap is already available at home.
What It's Actually Doing to Your Paint
The issue is, dish soap and laundry detergents are meant to be vigorous. They have the ability to remove protective coatings and cut through cooking grease and food stains. The same happens with the clear coating on your car, after washing it, the wax layer will be stripped away, and you will end up with a clear coating that is exposed to UV rays, dust, and heat.
The repeated use causes the oxidation, which results in dull paint and chalky white appearance of older Pakistani cars. Actually, using a quality pH-balanced car wash shampoo can help you in this situation. It's easy to use and you can get about 15-20 washes out of each bottle of brand like "Harris Car Care" smart car care Pakistan style.
Mistake 2 : Washing the Car in the Afternoon Sun
It is very common in the summer. You return home, the car's dusty, you've got an hour, so you pick the hose and get started. In the driveway at 2pm, directly in the sun. It feels productive. Unfortunately, it's one of the worst things you can do.
Why Sunlight Turns Your Car Wash Into a Damage Session
If the car is hot and you're washing in full sun, the water and soap begin to evaporate almost as soon as you start washing the car. In order to rinse properly, you first have to remove all of the soap residue and mineral deposits that are baked into the paint. The water spots form as a result of these, which get etched into the clear coat over time and unfortunately, in cities such as Karachi and Lahore, the temperature often exceedes 40C, thus accelerating the process.
The solution is to wash early in the morning or after the sun sets. If you can get shade, go for it. Your paint will thank you for it and you will in fact find that you get a cleaner result with less effort.
Mistake 3 : Drying with a Regular Towel or Old Cloth
You've done the right thing until you take a cotton towel from the bathroom to quickly dry the car. It is at this point that many people waste their years of hard work without even knowing it.
Coarse fibres is a characteristic of regular towels and old rags. They rub, rub on a very fine scale when you rub them across wet paint. These small scratches accumulate over time to form swirl marks that reflect light into the paint and give it a scratched and worn appearance.
The simple answer to this is a Microfiber Drying Towel. Soft, absorptive and slippery without causing scratches. It's one of the simplest things you can do to your car maintenance plan and the results are almost instant, particularly on dark-coloured automobiles.
Mistake 3 : Drying with a Regular Towel or Old Cloth
Most individuals do fill one bucket with soapy water and use that from this point to the end. Once you've wiped a part, the mitt is returned to the same bucket containing all the dirt and grit you just removed from the car. Then the same grim mitt is right back on the paint.
This Is How Swirl Marks Actually Happen
The particles that are suspended in the wash water act just like tiny sand paper the next time you wash your car. Scratches are small but consistent, and if the vehicle is dark (black or maroon) the swirl marks are very noticeable with direct light.
This can be completely solved by using two buckets. One is for your shampoo mixture and the other is for rinsing your mitt between shampoos. It's practically no effort and is likely the most effective technique upgrade in good vehicle maintenance.
Mistake 5 : Ignoring the Interior Completely
The owners of the cars in Pakistan tend to go crazy for the looks of the car, but the interior is left with what's there. Shine with cooking oil. Doors with furniture polish. Spraying of seats at random places in the house. It's okay, but it's a problem.
The oil in the cooking pot and the polish on the furniture are not only bad in looks, they attract dust all the time and leave behind a gluey residue that is baked on during a heat. During the summer months that residue will help to cause cracking and discoloration on your dashboard and trim as your car interior gets hot at 65°C. Interior cleaners are made for this purpose and they don't leave the sticky layer behind and will not cause damage to the UV layer.
A Simple Car Care Checklist to Follow
- Do not use dish soap, use good car shampoo
- Wash in the shade, in the morning or at night
- Use a microfiber towel to dry everytime.
- Use two buckets, not one, to ensure a safe distance while emptying.
- Use quality products to clean the inside.
- Wax or paint sealant every 2-3 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Is it OK if I wash my car with some hand wash liquid?
It's not ideal. Most liquids used for hand washing will still be too hard on your vehicle's paint job and will remove the protection over time. The better bet is to go with a dedicated car shampoo.
Q:How often should I wash my car in Pakistan?
A weekly basis is sufficient for most people with the amount of dust present here. Simply don't wash in direct sunlight or on a hot surface, no matter how often you do.
Q:Should you hire a professional for your detailing?
Yes, 3-6 months is a good pace. The right detail is more than just a good wash and helps your paint, interior and trim stay in truly excellent condition for the long haul.
