--- Worth Reading Before Washing Your Car
Discussion
Used the car several times this week and noticed last night under the garage light it looked a bit 'dusty' .... ran my fingers over it and dark brown dust all over it, which was invisible in daylight.
Pulled it out to wash it tonight, but thought I'd just do a quick search on here just to see if this volcanic ash is very abrasive before scratching it to death ....
Might be scaremongering and might be perfectly ok just to rinse off and wash normally, but thought I'd post it just in case .... link & copy/paste of article below:
vvvvvhttp://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.as...
Can Volcanic Ash Damage Car Paint Work?
Motorists across the UK are being warned that the volcanic ash from the Icelandic eruption could damage vehicle paintwork.
Car care firm Autoglym has assessed the composition of the ash and issued advice on how to safely remove microscopic residues that have already been deposited, as well as protect a vehicle from subsequent fallout.
The ash – now prevalent in Britain’s upper atmosphere – is composed of tiny jagged shards of rock and glass.
Once the highly abrasive, acidic ash has fallen on cars, there exists a real danger of damage to paintwork, glass and even to wiper blades.
Furthermore, the sulphuric content of the ash means the deposits are more acidic than normal airborne dust, representing an increased risk of corrosion, especially for rubber door and window seals, wiper blades and tyres.
Paul Caller, Autoglym CEO explains: "We invest significant sums in researching the impact of road grime and extreme weather conditions on cars, but the fallout from volcanic ash creates an unprecedented challenge for our lab team. The ash contains particles that are substantially larger, harder and more aggressively abrasive on paintwork and glass than normal atmospheric contaminants.
"We are concerned that, as many motorists get their buckets and sponges out for the first time in the warmer weather, they could unwittingly cause damage to their own vehicles, unless they take extra precautions when cleaning their cars. Moreover, many forecasts suggest the eruptions will continue and therefore ash deposits may present a risk for weeks, so motorists must take steps to protect their cars from future deposits."
Autoglym’s advice on dealing with volcanic ash deposits is to thoroughly soak car bodywork with water to loosen surface deposits and then use a pH-neutral car bodywork shampoo solution to neutralise acidic fallout.
They suggest the use a number of smaller buckets rather than a single larger bucket to minimise the risk of ash particles being reapplied to bodywork on the sponge from contaminated water
Also it is advised to keep the car wet with clean water while washing with a sponge – this keeps the surface of the paint lubricated to reduce the risk of scratching from any dust that remains on the bodywork.
Pay special attention to wiper blades – which may scratch the windscreen when sweeping ash across the glass surface – and side window seals – which may harbour dust that scratches windows as they are wound up and down
Then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all shampoo from the car.
Dry the car using a high quality microfibre drying towel or synthetic chamois.
Apply a quality polish or high definition wax in order to provide a durable, long-lasting layer of protection, preventing further contaminants adhering to paintwork, and forming a barrier against acidic deposits.
Finally we should wash our cars frequently until the volcanic eruptions cease to minimise the risk of potential future damage.
Pulled it out to wash it tonight, but thought I'd just do a quick search on here just to see if this volcanic ash is very abrasive before scratching it to death ....
Might be scaremongering and might be perfectly ok just to rinse off and wash normally, but thought I'd post it just in case .... link & copy/paste of article below:
vvvvvhttp://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.as...
Can Volcanic Ash Damage Car Paint Work?
Motorists across the UK are being warned that the volcanic ash from the Icelandic eruption could damage vehicle paintwork.
Car care firm Autoglym has assessed the composition of the ash and issued advice on how to safely remove microscopic residues that have already been deposited, as well as protect a vehicle from subsequent fallout.
The ash – now prevalent in Britain’s upper atmosphere – is composed of tiny jagged shards of rock and glass.
Once the highly abrasive, acidic ash has fallen on cars, there exists a real danger of damage to paintwork, glass and even to wiper blades.
Furthermore, the sulphuric content of the ash means the deposits are more acidic than normal airborne dust, representing an increased risk of corrosion, especially for rubber door and window seals, wiper blades and tyres.
Paul Caller, Autoglym CEO explains: "We invest significant sums in researching the impact of road grime and extreme weather conditions on cars, but the fallout from volcanic ash creates an unprecedented challenge for our lab team. The ash contains particles that are substantially larger, harder and more aggressively abrasive on paintwork and glass than normal atmospheric contaminants.
"We are concerned that, as many motorists get their buckets and sponges out for the first time in the warmer weather, they could unwittingly cause damage to their own vehicles, unless they take extra precautions when cleaning their cars. Moreover, many forecasts suggest the eruptions will continue and therefore ash deposits may present a risk for weeks, so motorists must take steps to protect their cars from future deposits."
Autoglym’s advice on dealing with volcanic ash deposits is to thoroughly soak car bodywork with water to loosen surface deposits and then use a pH-neutral car bodywork shampoo solution to neutralise acidic fallout.
They suggest the use a number of smaller buckets rather than a single larger bucket to minimise the risk of ash particles being reapplied to bodywork on the sponge from contaminated water
Also it is advised to keep the car wet with clean water while washing with a sponge – this keeps the surface of the paint lubricated to reduce the risk of scratching from any dust that remains on the bodywork.
Pay special attention to wiper blades – which may scratch the windscreen when sweeping ash across the glass surface – and side window seals – which may harbour dust that scratches windows as they are wound up and down
Then rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove all shampoo from the car.
Dry the car using a high quality microfibre drying towel or synthetic chamois.
Apply a quality polish or high definition wax in order to provide a durable, long-lasting layer of protection, preventing further contaminants adhering to paintwork, and forming a barrier against acidic deposits.
Finally we should wash our cars frequently until the volcanic eruptions cease to minimise the risk of potential future damage.
UH-Matt said:
So clean as normal for me then...
I washed mine lastnight and also noticed the dust all over it, just took extra care with the usual soaking and 2 bucket method etc..
Did yours come out OK? Since you're just around the corner and my F has been outside this week I imagine we have/had the same dust...I washed mine lastnight and also noticed the dust all over it, just took extra care with the usual soaking and 2 bucket method etc..
I don't think it's good advice to use a sponge, period. But particularly so when there are a mulititude of abrasive particles covering the car.
Also, how is a pH-neutral shampoo going to neutralize something acidic? Surely something alkali is be required to do that? Though I would suggest the acidity of the ash is the least of one's worries.
Also, how is a pH-neutral shampoo going to neutralize something acidic? Surely something alkali is be required to do that? Though I would suggest the acidity of the ash is the least of one's worries.
JuniorD said:
I don't think it's good advice to use a sponge, period. But particularly so when there are a mulititude of abrasive particles covering the car.
Also, how is a pH-neutral shampoo going to neutralize something acidic? Surely something alkali is be required to do that? Though I would suggest the acidity of the ash is the least of one's worries.
Couldn't agree more.....Also, how is a pH-neutral shampoo going to neutralize something acidic? Surely something alkali is be required to do that? Though I would suggest the acidity of the ash is the least of one's worries.
Using a sponge to clean a car?
Probably the best way going to pick up abrasive material and scratch your car to death!
tomtom said:
UH-Matt said:
So clean as normal for me then...
I washed mine lastnight and also noticed the dust all over it, just took extra care with the usual soaking and 2 bucket method etc..
Did yours come out OK? Since you're just around the corner and my F has been outside this week I imagine we have/had the same dust...I washed mine lastnight and also noticed the dust all over it, just took extra care with the usual soaking and 2 bucket method etc..
AshleyPatience said:
I would have thought that rather than simply rinsing the car, it would be more effective to jet wash first (at distance) to remove the ash?
I rinsed with a gentle hose pressure, then buckets of soap and more hosing before using the jet wash, as I did not want the jet wash to give a sand-blasting effect!!the dust on my car was fairly think, and running finger over surface after first rinse still revealed a fair bit of dust... Just got to be careful.
AshleyPatience said:
I would have thought that rather than simply rinsing the car, it would be more effective to jet wash first (at distance) to remove the ash?
One school of thought is that a powerful jet of water applied directly to a grimy bodywork causes the grit to dig in and/or blast across the surface causing swirls or fine scratches. Best advice with the present ash would probably be to use a snow foam product which loosens and encapsulates the ash which can then be rised off. Alternatively, as mentioned above, a good soaking then a wash mit and the four million bucket method
Mario149 said:
Okay, I'm going to bite, what should you wash your car with?! I just do the whole 2 buckets of water changed often thing but I still use a sponge... 
This website has all you need to know about car detailing, heres a quick guide to giving your car a quick wash down: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...allgonepetetong said:
Even on their website, Autoglym recomend using a sponge to wash your car - unbelievable. Why not go the whole hog and use some 320 grade wet and dry?
You would have thought they have never heard of a lambswoool mitt.
I was at Meridien Modena in Lyndhurst and a member of staff was 'cleaning' a 430 scud with a sponge!! (and autoglym products) -not good!You would have thought they have never heard of a lambswoool mitt.
macey_j2 said:
Mario149 said:
Okay, I'm going to bite, what should you wash your car with?! I just do the whole 2 buckets of water changed often thing but I still use a sponge...
This website has all you need to know about car detailing, heres a quick guide to giving your car a quick wash down: http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.p...allgonepetetong said:
Even on their website, Autoglym recomend using a sponge to wash your car - unbelievable. Why not go the whole hog and use some 320 grade wet and dry?
You would have thought they have never heard of a lambswoool mitt.
I was at Meridien Modena in Lyndhurst and a member of staff was 'cleaning' a 430 scud with a sponge!! (and autoglym products) -not good!You would have thought they have never heard of a lambswoool mitt.
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