A good wash is an investment in your vehicle’s value

A good car wash is one of the cheaper investments for keeping a car in pristine shape. While it may appear that a good rainfall can handle the wash on its own — and for free — the weather alone isn’t enough to remove the grime, salt and other junk a car picks up in a life on the road.

A hood full of splattered bugs, a racing stripe of mud, and a salty set of wheels have one thing in common; they’re all being slowly corroded by the dirt they’ve collected. This stuff has a cumulative effect, so the longer a car owner waits before washes, the more time he or she is giving these destructive elements a chance to strip away finish in bits and pieces.

Given the downsides to a chronically dirty car, if a car wash seems costly or time consuming, it should be weighed against the alternative of taking a vehicle in to get professionally detailed or repainted. Because of this, a common rule of thumb is to wash your car about every two weeks. That gives us some reference, but not all car owners find themselves in the same situations. Certain factors may increase or decrease the frequency of need for a wash.

Drivers who live near the coast or other major sources of saltwater — or just in a place where the roads get salted to deal with winter ice — should take measures to get salt buildups off their vehicle as soon as possible. Depending on a driver’s parking situation, tree sap and other plant-based materials could also pose an issue if left to linger on a vehicle. Periods of the year that are insect-heavy present cause for more frequent car care, as do times of high dust, pollen or other particulate matter. Finally, like any other piece of car maintenance, the miles you drive also determine the level of care needed for your vehicle. More miles means more maintenance and vice versa.

At Scrubby’s, we’re dedicated to helping maintain the life and value of your vehicle. Come visit us and get clean!