Car Washing 101

We know how busy life can be – between working, cooking, carpooling the kids, hobbies, and relaxation, a good car wash can often go neglected. However, washing your car on a regular basis should be considered part of your car’s regular maintenance routine. Continue reading for some more information on this oft-neglected vehicle maintenance process.

Why do I need to wash my car regularly?

One of the most obvious reasons for getting your car washed on a regular basis is general cleanliness – a freshly washed car just looks better than a dirty one. And that includes the interior as well as the exterior! Cleanliness aside, regular car washes are a key part of maintaining your vehicle’s paint job and finish. Keeping the exterior as clean as possible will make reselling the vehicle or trading it in that much easier.

Summertime Stains

Everyone loves cruising in the summer sun. But even during the summertime, you subject your car to the elements every time you drive it. Outside of natural dirtiness caused by road dust, your car may be subject to animal droppings and dead bugs. If you leave that kind of debris sitting on the vehicle for extended periods of time, the paint will corrode and may eventually cause rust. Similarly, if you take road trips to heavily-wooded areas, your vehicle may be stained by falling tree sap, which can cause corrosion and rust if left unwashed.

Wintertime Woes

The Chicagoland area is known for some adverse weather during the winter months. With adverse weather comes a lot of driving on salted roads. Salt can lead to rapid corrosion and rust when left on a vehicle for extended periods of time. We highly recommend making it a priority to get your vehicle washed often if you live in an area that experiences harsh winter seasons.

How Often Should I Wash My Car?

According to vehicle experts, you should get your car washed once every two weeks. If you live in a heavily-wooded area or in an area that gets a lot of snow and winter weather, you should consider getting your vehicle washed once a week. This will ensure that your paint is protected and that the resale value won’t go down.

Maintaining a clean vehicle exterior is very important to keeping the car healthy. We recommend getting your car washed often – a clean car looks more stylish and the paint and refinish will benefit from regularly scheduled cleans. If you have any questions about car washing, auto body repair, or vehicle maintenance in general, feel free to give us a call at (630) 526-7117.