Can You Wash a Car After It Has Been Exposed to the Sun?
2 Answers
It is not recommended to wash a car immediately after it has been exposed to the sun, though doing so occasionally once or twice is fine. Below are some related issues regarding washing a car after sun exposure: 1. Hazards: At this time, the temperature of the front windshield is relatively high. Once it comes into contact with cold water, the principle of thermal expansion and contraction makes it prone to cracking, so immediate washing is not advised. Professional car washers usually spray water into the air first during summer washes, allowing the mist to cool down the car paint before proceeding with the actual cleaning. 2. Recommendation: Similarly, it is not advisable to rinse the car paint directly with cold water after sun exposure. The reason is simple—again, due to thermal expansion and contraction. Directly rinsing sun-exposed car paint with cold water can easily lead to phenomena like paint cracking.
You really need to be careful when washing a car after it's been exposed to the sun. As an experienced driver, I've personally encountered this issue. Last summer, when my car was scorching hot, I impulsively rinsed the front with cold water, resulting in fine cracks on the paint surface—it felt as uncomfortable as glass cracking from freezing. Later, the repair technician explained that extreme temperature differences can cause uneven metal contraction, damaging the paint and weakening the glass. So, I learned my lesson and now wait 15 to 20 minutes for the car body to cool down before washing. It's also better to use mild car wash soap with cool water, as harsh chemicals can accelerate corrosion under high temperatures. While washing is beneficial for removing dust and maintaining shine, don't rush—safety first. For daily habits, parking in the shade or washing in the morning is the easiest. Just observe the car's cooling condition to avoid unnecessary hassle.
