It has become very busy at car washes recently. First because of the brine, then because of Sahara sand and pollen. Many are tempted to the more expensive and more extensive programs, but according to the ADAC it is better to leave them for what it is.
Especially expensive washing programs with soil cleaning can cause damage to your car, according to the German counterpart of the ANWB. A cheap washing program is according to the ADAC often the best, provided a so-called prewash is part of it. “Expensive premium programs with soil cleaning are not necessary and can even lead to problems,” said the union. “In older vehicles, when cleaning the underbody, moisture can penetrate through openings in the bottom of the vehicle. Modern vehicles, on the other hand, are usually covered with plastic on the underside, making it unnecessary to wash the underside to protect against corrosion.”
According to the ADAC, pre-washing is very important when you get your car through the car wash. Usually this is also part of cheap washing programs. Pre-washing can be done, for example, with a steam jet or a chemical foam layer that loosens the stubborn dirt on the car paint and prevents dirt particles, sand, salt and stones from acting like sandpaper on the paint and causing scratches. Furthermore, the ADAC recommends choosing a program with a wax treatment in it. This is often the case with the second cheapest program. This protects the lacquer layer against things like solar radiation, resin, bird droppings and sticky pollen. A wax treatment lasts for about three to six months and a professional sealing treatment by a professional polish company can last up to a year, according to the association.