Our Automologist from the Philippines, KATHLEEN, answers this question for you.
In the Philippines where we have sunny and rainy days, the short- and long-term effects of weather changes are evident on the exterior appearances of exposed objects like our skin, walls of buildings and also car surfaces.
How often do you wash your car and do you still wash it during the rainy season? I know you are guilty of the thought, “Nah, it will just rain today, let the rain wash the car for me!” But will it really clean your car or do more harm? Here are the facts:
1. Rain water is full of contaminants
Raindrops collect pollutants as it falls, making acid rain. Once the rain dries up, it will leave water marks on your car’s exterior and reduce the paint’s glossiness, eventually requiring a new coat of paint much sooner than you thought.
2. Not enough pressure
No matter how heavy the rain is, no amount of rainwater will have enough pressure to remove stains off a car. In fact, it just creates streaks and mud splatter. The use of high pressure jet cleaner is still the most effective when giving your “baby” a shower.
3. Rust-prone
Is your car rust-proof? If not, problems lie ahead for you. Aside from rain damage on the car panels and paint, remember that your vehicle also has metal and electric components. Long exposure to wet areas and locations with drastic weather changes may lead to rust and corrosion. You can prevent this by including rust-proofing as part of your maintenance check.
Now to definitively answer the question of whether the rain can wash your car….It’s NO.
In fact, it is better to give your car a wash after it has been exposed to rain and best to apply a protective coating on it. There are coatings in the market that are proven to increase the paint’s hardness level and offers Anti Scratch Resistance, Anti Oxidation Resistance, durability and hydrophobicity (repelling of water) qualities.
Even as you keep your car clean on the outside, you must also keep it clean on the inside, not forgetting cleaning the dirt, carbon, sludge, gum and impurities from inside your car’s engine and fuel delivery system. Did you know that there are NASA Certified Space Technology and Hall of Fame Awardee products in the market that can keep your car systems clean internally? They are X-1R Engine Treatment and X-1R Decarboniser.
In the Philippines, these are available in most car dealerships and in Ace Hardware and Blade outlets nationwide. But if you want these products delivered to your doorstep or want to enquire further, please call or text +63 956 809 5284, chat at www.facebook.com/X1R Philippines or visit x1rasia.com.
