Does Washing Cars in Summer Have a Big Impact on Car Paint?
2 Answers
Washing cars in summer has a significant impact on car paint. Here is the relevant introduction: 1. Washing cars with cold water under high temperatures: Using cold water to wash the car when the temperature is very high can damage the paint surface. In severe cases, it may even cause the paint to crack and affect the metal structure inside the car. The best times to wash the car are in the morning or evening, or on cloudy days. If you are in a hurry to wash the car, use warm water instead. 2. Starting with a high-pressure water gun: Some people might prefer to start by directly spraying with a high-pressure water gun. Doing so can easily cause dust and sand particles on the car surface to rub against the paint, leaving tiny scratches. The correct method is to first rinse with a gentle stream of water to remove dust particles, then apply car wash soap, and finally use the water gun.
As someone who enjoys washing my car myself, extra caution is indeed needed during summer car washes, especially on hot days. The car paint gets extremely hot under direct sunlight, and rinsing with cold water immediately can cause thermal expansion and contraction issues, potentially leading to fine cracks or peeling in severe cases. I remember last July when I washed my car under the sun, it left noticeable water stain marks that were particularly troublesome to clean. Later I learned it's best to wash during cooler morning or evening hours, or to first move the car to a shaded area to cool down before gently rinsing with lukewarm water. This not only preserves the paint's shine but also prevents detergent residue from accelerating oxidation. Additionally, summer brings more dust, so timely washing helps prevent dirt from corroding the paint surface. Overall, with proper techniques, it can actually extend the paint's lifespan. However, frequent washing under intense sunlight without attention to these details can indeed accelerate paint aging, so I recommend regular car condition checks and appropriate waxing for enhanced protection.
