In the cold season, a car has almost no chance of staying clean. Snow, melt water, reagents and road dust literally settle on the body in a dense layer within a few minutes after departure. That is why many drivers stop washing their cars in winter: it seems that there is no point in this - as soon as you leave the car wash, the car is covered in dirt again.
In addition, it is widely believed that winter washing is not only useless, but also harmful. Some are sure that a layer of dirt and ice even protects the body, acting as a kind of screen between the reagents and the metal. However, experts believe otherwise: such "armor" does not save the car, but, on the contrary, accelerates its destruction.
Dirt does not protect, but retains reagents
The main mistake of this common misconception is that the dirt layer does not isolate the body from chemicals, but fixes it on the surface. Moisture accumulates under the layer of plaque, and with it - salt solutions, which are used to treat roads in winter. As a result, the reagents are in contact with the paintwork and metal for longer, enhancing the destructive processes.
Why reagents are dangerous for paintwork
Winter dirt is especially aggressive due to its high content of technical salt. In combination with snow and water, it turns into a corrosive solution that gradually corrodes the protective layer of varnish. The shine of the body and chrome elements fades, and in places where there is even microscopic damage, a more serious problem begins.
If a small chip is hidden under a layer of dirt, the reagents easily penetrate under the paintwork. There, the dirt mass creates a greenhouse effect: moisture and chemicals do not evaporate, and corrosion develops at an accelerated rate. First of all, the lower zones of the car suffer - wheel arches, sills and the bottom. It is here that there are the most chips that appear from road gravel and sand.
Even minimal damage to the coating under the influence of reagents quickly turns into a full-fledged focus of rust.
To wash or not to wash: a definite answer
The conclusion in this case is unambiguous: in winter, the car must be washed, and regularly. Experts recommend doing this at least once a month, and optimally - twice. With frequent washing, aggressive chemicals and deep cleaning are not required: fresh dirt is washed off easier and faster, without having time to "eat" into the coating.
Features of winter washing
Winter washing requires compliance with certain conditions. Open self-service car washes in frosty weather are not the best choice. It is much safer to wash the car in a warm box or during a thaw, when water does not freeze on the surface of the body.
Before washing off the dirt, it is recommended to apply active foam or car shampoo and give the product a few minutes to work. This allows you to more effectively dissolve salt deposits. It is better to wash off dirt with a stream of water from the bottom up - so each subsequent layer of water carries away already softened dirt from the lower sections.
Special attention - hidden areas
Hard-to-reach places require a separate approach. Wheel arches and sills accumulate the maximum amount of salt dirt in winter, so they must be washed especially thoroughly. It is equally important to clean the bottom of the car at least several times per season.
From the side of the bottom in the cavities of the sills, there is often stuck ice and dirt, which are visually not noticeable, but continue to destroy the metal.
At the same time, the presence of an anti-corrosion coating is not always a guarantee of protection. Over time, the anti-corrosion is subject to sandblasting wear, and if there are damages or craters in it, reagents easily penetrate there. In such conditions, corrosion can develop imperceptibly, but actively.
That is why the bottom washing service offered at many car washes really makes sense: it allows you to remove reagents from the most vulnerable areas and reduce the risk of rust.
What to do after washing
After washing, it is important to prevent the remaining water from freezing. When self-washing, it is necessary to thoroughly wipe the door openings, rubber seals of the windows and the trunk hatch. The best option is to use compressed air to blow out locks, handles, mirrors and other moving elements.
This measure is not excessive: frozen water can damage seals, mirror and window regulator mechanisms, and the fuel tank flap may simply not open at the most inopportune moment.
It is additionally recommended to treat adjacent and disconnecting surfaces with silicone grease. This should be done carefully, avoiding getting on the glass - it is not easy to remove silicone from them. For door seals, it is most convenient to use compounds with a sponge or ball applicator.
Despite the common stereotype, winter washing is not a matter of aesthetics, but a contribution to the preservation of the body. By regularly removing salt and road dirt, the driver protects the metal from premature corrosion. Let the cleanliness not last long, but during this time the car is not in an aggressive chemical environment.
Additional protection is provided by applying wax or other protective compounds after washing. A thin film creates a barrier to moisture and reagents, preventing dirt from lingering and being absorbed into the varnish. This facilitates subsequent washing and helps the car to survive the harsh conditions of winter operation more easily.