Should You Wash the Car Before Painting?
2 Answers
There is no need to wash the car before painting. Including high-pressure car washing: Removal of dirt such as asphalt and tar, waxing for enhancement and mirror finish treatment, new car wax removal, refurbishment of wheel rims, tires, bumpers, and anti-corrosion coating treatment for the chassis. It also includes external decoration of the car body, such as decorating the roof, windows, surrounding body, and wheels. Automotive paint surface beauty treatments: Paint surface beauty treatments include car washing, waxing, polishing, sealing, coating, and painting. These can be categorized into oxidation film removal, overspray treatment, acid rain treatment, deep and shallow scratch treatment on the paint surface, partial panel damage treatment, and full-body painting. Interior car beauty treatments: Vacuum cleaning and protection of the dashboard, ceiling, carpets, floor mats, seats, seat covers, and door trims, as well as steam sterilization, deodorization of air vents, indoor air purification, interior cleaning, dashboard polishing, leather wrapping, interior deodorizing, and premium interior accessories. Engine beauty treatments include engine flushing and cleaning, application of gloss protectant, refurbishment, and cleaning, inspection, and maintenance of the air filter, fuel filter, oil filter, radiator, battery, etc. It also includes decoration of the driver's cabin and passenger compartment.
After working in the auto shop for so long, the most common issue I see is people skipping the car wash before painting to save time, only to end up with bubbles or dust on the paint. It's absolutely essential to thoroughly wash the car before painting—use warm water and automotive cleaner to rinse off dust and grease. Especially those tiny mud spots in hard-to-reach corners; if not cleaned, the paint won’t adhere properly and will peel over time. I’ve handled many cars where customers came back for repairs just because they overlooked this step, requiring re-sanding and repainting, which wastes materials and time. The best practice is to dry the car completely with a clean cloth after washing and wait until the surface is fully dry before painting—this ensures a long-lasting, smooth finish and saves hassle later.
