How often do you wash your car? If you don’t, then you should probably start now.
You might think that washing your car in the rain is a great way to get rid of dirt and grime without having to spend hours scrubbing.
Car washing has become a big part of our lives. There are even apps that let you schedule your car washes.
But did you know that washing your car in the rain isn’t always the best idea?
Rainwater contains bacteria and other contaminants that can cause damage to your vehicle.
However, this will not matter whether it is clean or dirty. The best time to wash your car is during dry weather, but you can wash it in the rain.
Why Should I Wash My Car?
The first reason why you should wash your car is that, quite simply, it will make it look better.
Washing your car makes it easier for people to see all of its details.
It also helps with visibility and safety. One thing you won’t want is a dirty windshield, especially if you are frequently driving on the highway.
Reduced visibility means increased accidents, which could be lethal.
You may have heard about the term “black ice” before. This refers to a slick surface created by water when it freezes.
It’s not uncommon for cars to slide off the road when they encounter black ice. A dirty windshield can be one of the main reasons that this happens.
How Often Do I Need To Wash My Car?
If you drive an older model car, you may need to wash your car more than once every week. However, newer models tend to require less frequent washing.
If you live in a cold climate, you’ll need to wash your car at least once per month.
In warmer climates, you only need to wash your car once every few months.
This is because ice and cold can accumulate and ultimately damage your windshield.
What Is The Best Way To Wash My Car?
There are two ways you can wash your car: manually and automatically. Manual washing involves using soap and water to clean the exterior of your car.
Automatic washing uses special cleaning agents and brushes to remove dirt and dust from your car’s interior.
You can take your car to a car wash if necessary. For a small charge, you can get your car looking cleaner than it even has done before.
Manually washing your car is much cheaper than automatic washing.
You just use soap and water to clean your car. You can do this yourself, but it requires some patience.
When you are washing your car, you’ll need to make sure that you use a hose. This is the best way of removing suds and giving your car that final bit of polish.
If you leave suds to dry on your car then they can leave unsightly marks and defeat the point of washing it in the first place!
Should I Wash My Car In the Rain?
In general, you can wash your car in the rain, although the rain will instantly wash away the suds and result in a wash that might not be that thorough.
You might end up with a car that is not as clean as you would like.
However, there are times when washing your car in the rainy season is beneficial.
If you want the weather to give your car that extra final wash, then leave mother nature to take its course.
If you are worried about your car succumbing to rust and corrosion through excessive rainwater, then we would suggest that you use wax or sealant to avoid it getting into the engine or other parts of your car that might be hazardous.
Will Rain Leave Water Spots On My Car?
Yes, rain does leave spots on your car. These spots are usually very hard to remove and will require a good amount of elbow grease to remove
The most common cause of these spots is condensation. Condensation forms on windows when the air temperature drops below the dew point.
The dew point is the temperature at which moisture begins to form on surfaces. As the temperature falls below this point, the moisture starts to condense onto the glass.
Condensation is why you see water droplets on your car after a heavy shower.
It also explains why you have to wipe off any water spots that appear on your car after a day out in the rain.
However, rain spots will not cause a massive issue when you are cleaning your car, and largely they fade away after a few hours.
Does Rain Water Damage The Paintwork?
No, rainwater doesn’t damage the paintwork. However, it can affect the appearance of your car.
When you drive around in wet conditions, you may notice that your car looks dirty and grimy.
Also, driving through puddles and wet mud will certainly cause your car to become dirty.
This is because rainwater tends to pick up dirt and grime from the road surface.
How To Keep My Car Cleaner After A Heavy Rainfall?
There are many things you can do to keep your car cleaner after a heavy rainfall. Firstly, try to avoid driving your car for several days straight following a downpour.
This is because there will be excess mud that will cling to your car’s paintwork and tires.
Secondly, don’t park your car directly under trees or bushes. If possible, move your vehicle to a garage or shed where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight, as this too can damage your car in the long term.
Thirdly, don’t forget to check your car’s underside before you start using the car wash.
Make sure you look for any loose items such as stones or leaves that could fall on your car and cause damage.
Finally, if you live in an area where there is frequent flooding, then you should consider purchasing a car cover.
This way, you can protect your car from being damaged by floodwaters.
What Is The Best Way To Wash My Car?
You can wash your car in various ways. For example, you can use a pressure washer, hosepipe, bucket and sponge, or even just a garden hose.
However, we recommend that you use a pressure washer. Pressure washers come with a variety of attachments including brushes, rollers, scrubbers, and spray nozzles.
Using a pressure washer allows you to clean your car thoroughly without having to spend time washing it manually.
You can easily get rid of all the mud and debris that has collected on your car.
Can I Use An Air Compressor On My Car?
Yes, you can use an air compressor to blow dry your car. However, make sure that you only use compressed air for removing dust and dirt.
Never use compressed air to remove water from your car, as this will cause streaking.
If you want to remove water from your vehicle, then you need to use a power washer.
How Will Ice Affect My Car?
Ice can cause problems if you leave it on your vehicle for a prolonged period of time.
In fact, ice can freeze the rubber seals on your car’s windows, causing them to crack.
When this happens, you will find that the windshield becomes cloudy and foggy.
Furthermore, the ice can also melt and drip onto the dashboard, which can cause the interior of your car to become messy.
To prevent this issue, ensure that you have defrosted your car’s windows before leaving home.
Also, if you see any cracks in your windshield, then you should contact your local glass repair shop immediately.
They will be able to fix these cracks quickly and cheaply.
How Can I Get Rid Of Rust From My Car?
Rust is one of the most common concerns that people face when they own a car.
It can appear anywhere on your vehicle, but it usually forms around the wheel arches and door handles.
The good news is that rust can be removed quite easily. All you need to do is apply some specialist cleaning products to the affected areas.
Then, simply rinse off the product with warm water.
How Do I Remove Mud And Dirt From My Car?
Mud and dirt can accumulate on your car over time. As a result, you may end up spending hours every week trying to clean your vehicle.
Fortunately, there are many methods that you can use to remove mud and dirt from your car. These include:
- Using a pressure washer
- Washing your car with a hose
- Spraying the car down with water
- Scrubbing the car with a brush
- Using a vacuum cleaner
- Drying the car with a towel
Can I Towel Dry My Car After I Have Washed It In The Rain?
Toweling your car after you have washed it in the rain is not recommended. If you do this, then you could damage your car’s paintwork.
This is because towels contain moisture, which can cause your car’s paintwork to peel off.
To avoid this problem, always use a soft bristle brush instead of a towel.
Towels also absorb water, so you’ll just be moving the water across the surface of your car.
This will also cause the paintwork to become damaged over time.
What Are The Negatives Of Washing My Car In The Rain?
Although washing your car in the rain is a great way to keep it looking new, there are still some disadvantages associated with doing this.
Here are a few things that you should know about washing your car in the wet weather:
- Water Damage – this is when an excess amount of water gets into your car. However, this will only take place after a long time of exposure.
- Wet Paint – if you have just had your car sprayed, we would suggest keeping it undercover, as a bout of rain will certainly smudge or wash off some paintwork.
- Severe Weather Conditions – Bad weather conditions can also affect the outside of your car very quickly. If you know there is severe weather coming in, try to get your car under cover.
- Windshields – rain can cause your windshield to become mucky and ruin all the cleaning work that you’ve already done.
How To Spot Dirt On Your Car After Rain
It’s important to remember that rain does not necessarily mean that your car has been exposed to mud and dirt for long periods of time.
However, if you notice that your car looks dirty after being rained upon, then you should check out the following tips:
- Look at the wheels – if you notice that the tires look dirty, then this means that the car has been sitting in the rain for a while.
- Check the underside of the car – if you see any muddy footprints underneath your car, then this shows that the car has been parked in the rain for a long period of time and might need a good clean with hot soap and water.
- Look at the bodywork – if you notice any scratches or dents on the bodywork, then this shows that your car has been sitting in the rain for a longer period of time than normal.
- Look at the interior of the car – if the seats are covered in mud, then this could be a sign that you have been tracking rainwater and mud into the interior of your car.
- Look at the windows – if you notice that any of the windows are fogged up, then this could be a result of taking long journeys in heavy rain.
Our Final Say
We hope that our guide to washing your car in the rain might help you to decide whether you should embark upon this or not.
Largely, washing your car in the rain will not cause you any significant paintwork or functionality issues, although it might undo a lot of the work that you’ve put into cleaning your car.
