Wash Off that Road Salt and Acid Rain

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Wash Off that Road Salt and Acid Rain

Spring is the season to make the car gleam

With warm weather fast approaching, you might notice that your car's body got a little out of shape during the winter. Before plunking down the cash for a new set of wheels, consider less drastic measures-such as sprucing up your car at a professional car wash or detail shop.

That's the advice of Ben Alford, president of the International Carwash Association, an industry trade association representing more than 25,000 professional car wash operations from around the world.

"From the minute you put your car on the road, it is attacked by acid rain, caked-on mud, air pollution, bird droppings and ultraviolet light, just to name a few," Alford says. "In colder climates, you have the added problems of road salt and ice. All of these factors send automobiles to an early grave."

Professional car wash and detail shops offer a wide range of services that protect your car's finish from deteriorating and help maintain the value of your automobile.

"Most car owners understand the value of changing their motor oil regularly to protect the engine," Alford says. "The same kind of maintenance should be in place for saving the exterior of your car. Keeping your car looking good helps maintain its value, an especially important factor at resale or trade-in time. The best way to keep your car looking good is regular washing and waxing at a professional car wash."

Prices for professional car washes range from $2 at a self-service wash to $250 for a full-service car detailing. For quick, low-cost service, self-service operations provide a variety of effective, self-cleaning services from which to choose.

If you don't want to wash your vehicle yourself, automatic car washes range from the local gas station "rollover," where you stay in your car and have the car wash equipment roll over your car, to the full-service conveyor operation, where a car wash attendant takes your car through a tunnel having various wash stations.

At any type of professional car wash, you'll get optimum results if you choose as many services as possible. A high-pressure wash, fresh-water rinse, tire and wheel cleaning, and spot-free rinse are a few of the options available. Don't forget to choose the presoak option to loosen the road grime.

Most cars should be washed at least once every seven to 10 days, and always after it rains.

"Many people believe that rain can serve as a "natural" car wash," Alford says. "But compounds in rain from chemicals, fossil fuels, internal combustion and power plants create a state commonly referred to as "acid rain." Even when the rain has evaporated from your car, deposits are left that can seriously damage your car's finish and paint. You must wash these particles off to preserve the life of your vehicle."

Most car wash operations also offer such interior-cleaning services as vacuuming, interior window washing and upholstery and carpet cleaning. These services can be vital in removing winter's wear and tear.

The International Carwash Association also advises consumers to wax their vehicles at least once every three to six months. If your car is red, black or white, you'll need to wax more frequently, as these colors are more susceptible to the effects of acid rain and ultraviolet light.

"The entire process, from presoak to wax, can be accomplished in less than 10 minutes," Alford says. "This takes far less time and provides a far better wash than you could ever do in your driveway. And professional car washes dispose of wastewater according to federal and state regulations, instead of letting dirty water and soap flow into storm drains untreated-as washing the car in a driveway does. As a result, professional car washes are much easier on the environment."

For more information, or to locate a professional car wash near you, visit www.carwashes.com

Courtesy of Article Resource Association

Now that you have it cleaned, apply 5 Star Shine and keep it shining for as long as you own the car.

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