Does washing a car with seawater cause damage?
2 Answers
Washing a car with seawater can cause damage: Due to the high salt content in seawater, it chemically reacts with iron, accelerating oxidation and having strong corrosive properties, which can significantly harm the vehicle's exterior. If the car's exterior quality is poor, rust spots can appear in a short time. Below are some precautions for car washing: 1. Washing frequency: Under normal circumstances, washing the car once every 1-2 weeks is considered standard. 2. Wash as needed: Since each car is parked in different environments, some cars, aside from road driving, are mostly parked in underground garages and may remain clean for up to a month in good weather. Many vehicles parked outdoors typically accumulate a layer of dust within two weeks. Therefore, the washing frequency varies depending on the vehicle. 3. Detergents and washing tools: First, ensure the detergent used is neutral, as acidic or alkaline detergents can be somewhat corrosive to the car paint. For washing tools, especially the towels used on the car body, it's essential to use specialized pure cotton car-washing towels to avoid scratching the paint. 4. Wash after rain: Given the current environmental pollution, rainwater often contains acidic substances, so it's advisable to clean the car promptly. If there are stains or mud on the car, it's also recommended to wash them off as soon as possible to prevent corrosion and oxidation of the paint. 5. Regular paint maintenance: Maintenance treatments for the car paint surface generally include waxing and glazing. Between the two, glazing offers slightly better results than waxing, lasts longer, and is also more expensive.
Once I drove my new car to the seaside for fun and impulsively washed it with seawater. A few days later, I noticed rust forming on the metal parts under the body and spots appearing on the wheel rims. I realized that washing a car with seawater is extremely damaging because of the high salt content. The salt can seep into metal crevices, gradually corroding the chassis and frame over time. Even the paint surface becomes rough and loses its shine, especially in areas with heavy rainfall. From now on, I'd rather spend some money at a professional car wash that uses fresh water than risk ruining my car for convenience. If I must DIY, I'll at least prepare a bucket of fresh water to rinse off any residual salt to protect the car longer.
