The more you drive, the dirtier your car will get. There are many things that can build up on your vehicle and make it look unsightly. Contaminants such as dirt, mud, dead bug splatter, pollen or whatever it may be, all of that gunk needs to be cleaned off. While some things can be avoided, one thing we can’t get away from while driving is rain. So when it’s raining outside, should you still go to the car wash?
How does rain make your car dirty?
While rain can wash off some filth on your car’s exterior, driving through it yields different results. As you drive through rain, the water that drops onto your vehicle can collect dust, dirt and other impurities. Once the water dries up after the rain, the water spots left behind can also leave your exterior looking dirty. Another way rain can make your car filthy is when the tires kick up mud, dirt and grime onto the wheels, paint and undercarriage components.
Should you wash your car during the rain?
While many people may avoid washing their car when it’s raining since it will just get wet again, there are still some benefits to doing this. While the rain might make your vehicle appear temporarily clean, there are still some contaminants that need to be properly washed off as soon as possible with soap and water. Tree sap, bug splatter, bird droppings and pollen can harm the finish of your paint if not cleaned off shortly after they get onto the exterior.
What do experts say?
Joey Sanchez, the associate social media manager at Chemical Guys, an online car cleaning retailer, spoke to the Detroit Free Press about the pros and cons of washing your car in the rain. “Ultimately, whether you should wash your car in the rain depends on the condition of the vehicle. If harmful contaminants are present, it’s better to clean them off sooner rather than later. Otherwise, waiting until the weather clears may simply be the more practical option.”
Keenan Thompson is a car culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Keenan at kthompson@freepress.com. Follow him on Instagram at @keenanautos. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Need to wash your car but it’s raining? Here is what you should do.
Reporting by Keenan Thompson, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Keenan Thompson, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
