High-pressure washing is a popular method for cleaning vehicles, offering quick and effective results. However, its frequent use can have detrimental effects on car paint. Understanding the risks and best practices can help car owners maintain their vehicle’s appearance and longevity.
Understanding High-Pressure Washing
High-pressure washing uses a stream of water expelled at high velocity to remove dirt, grime, and other substances from surfaces. While effective, this method can be harsh on a car’s paint if not done correctly.
Risks to Car Paint
Surface Damage: Repeated high-pressure washing can cause small abrasions or wear down the paint’s protective coating, leading to dullness and potential rusting.
Water Pressure and Distance: The closer the water jet is to the car’s surface, the higher the risk of paint damage. High pressure can chip or peel the paint, especially if it’s already weakened or damaged.
Impact on Sealant and Wax: Regular high-pressure washing can strip away protective layers of wax and sealant, reducing the paint’s defense against the elements.
Best Practices for High-Pressure Washing
Maintain Safe Distance: Keep the nozzle at least 30 centimeters away from the car’s surface.
Use Lower Pressure Settings: Opt for a lower pressure setting to minimize the risk of paint damage.
Angle the Spray: Direct the water stream at an angle to reduce direct impact on the paint.
Avoid Damaged Areas: Be cautious around areas where the paint is already chipped or peeling.
Professional Assistance: Consider professional cleaning services for the best results, especially for high-end vehicles.
Alternatives to High-Pressure Washing
Hand Washing: Using a soft cloth or sponge with mild soap can be a safer option.
Low-Pressure Foam Wash: Some car wash facilities offer foam washes that are gentle and effective.
FAQs
How often can I safely use a high-pressure washer on my car?
It’s recommended to limit high-pressure washing to once a month, using gentler methods in between.
Can I use high-pressure washing on an older car?
Caution is advised for older cars, especially if the paint is already showing signs of wear or damage.
What should I do if high-pressure washing has damaged my car’s paint?
If damage occurs, it’s best to consult a professional for repair and advice on paint protection.
Is high-pressure washing safe for all types of car paint?
While most modern paints can withstand occasional high-pressure washing, always check the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Can regular waxing protect my car’s paint from high-pressure damage?
Regular waxing can provide a protective layer, but it’s not foolproof against the force of high-pressure water.
The District Court of Follo and Nordre Östfold acquitted a Norwegian trucker who was fined by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration last fall for briefly driving a truck through the territory of a transport company without a card inserted in the tachograph.
Having received a fine of 20,000 NOK (almost 2,000 euros), the driver of the Kaasa Transport company, Vegard Kose, decided to challenge it in court, considering it illegal. The first hearing in this case was held on November 15, 2022. Before hearing the case, Odd’s lawyer Robert Aksnes and his ward expressed the hope that reason would prevail in this process.
Prior to the district court’s first hearing, the prosecutor stated that both parties agreed that the truck was being driven, but disagreed as to whether that driving fell under the rules governing driving and rest times.
In addition, a representative of the on-site inspection of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration was summoned to the court as a witness. According to her explanation, the instructions of her service indicate that they must report cases like the one under consideration.
“When ‘other work’ is not documented, the rules are broken. The driver card must be used for all types of driving” – representative of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration.
She also explained that “the inspectors have different knowledge, and the inspections have a different focus.” It’s entirely possible that the Kaasa Transport trucks weren’t caught sooner by sheer luck.
During the meeting, Odd’s lawyer Robert Aksnes explained the situation and the position of the management of the transport company. According to him, there are several drivers in Kaasa Transport who consider washing their car on a day off as a hobby and an opportunity to communicate with colleagues in an informal setting. No one forces them to do this, and wages are not paid for this. The fact that the machine is being moved to access water on private property has nothing to do with the job.
“I think it can be seen as part of the work environment for employees to be allowed to meet and chat and wash the car. And this is done not in the interests of the employer, but in the interests of the employee. In this case, there is no doubt that“ – Odd Robert Aksnes.
And so, on November 22, the district court of Follo and Nordre Østfold in this case passed a verdict by which Vegard Kosa was acquitted.
“The District Court found that the use of a driver card is not required to drive in a closed area” – Odd Robert Aksnes.
He also added that “it was clear to the court that the washing and polishing performed by the worker in this case should be considered rest time and not work time.”
“The court notes that Kosa drove exclusively on private land owned by his employer Kaasa Transport AS. The area is marked as private and covered with barrier tape and/or cones. The Court will also note that this driving can in no way be considered “carriage of passengers or goods”. Based on Kosa’s explanation, the driving consisted solely of moving a truck from one end of the terminal building to the other in order to access the water outlet as well as the parking lot. Therefore, this driving was not carried out in connection with “passenger or freight traffic” and is not subject to the rules for the use of the tachograph. Therefore, there can be no requirement that Kosa use a driver card, and therefore he cannot be punished for this“ – Decision of the district court Follo and Nordre Østfold.
As a result, we can say that the court came to the conclusion that there was no violation of the accepted standards of work and rest for the driver. For this reason, Vegard Kosa must be fully “acquitted of indictment”.
The publication sent a letter to the Norwegian Public Roads Administration asking them to comment on the decision of the District Court Follo and Nordre Ostfold in the case of Vegard Kos. In particular, the question was asked, will there now be any changes in how inspectors interpret instructions, or will the instructions themselves change?
“External Control is in the process of reviewing the District Court’s decision and will then evaluate what this may say about our control practices, including the wording of control instructions. This is what we do with all decisions and decisions made by administrative appeal bodies.” – Roy H. Holm, Head of External Inspection at the Norwegian Public Roads Authority
Recall that last fall, a 27-year-old truck driver from the Norwegian city of Notodden was punished for washing his truck during a 45-hour rest.
What should you know about portable car washes and which one is better to choose in order to wash the car yourself in the country, near the house or garage?
Unlike the mid-eighties of the last century, when the first portable mini-washers appeared, working on the principle invented by Alfred Karcher back in 1950, in our time this technique is very common and available to many car owners. With the onset of autumn slush and on the eve of winter mud on the roads, buying this device is more relevant than ever. But before heading to the hardware store, you should find out which pressure washer to choose for the car.
What are pressure washers?
Pressure washers or mini-washers are divided into two types: domestic and professional. In the design of both there is a motor, a pump, a hose with a nozzle and a power cord. There is also protection against voltage surges. And in professional ones, which, unlike an electric motor, are usually equipped with a small gasoline or diesel internal combustion engine, there can also be air or water cooling to protect the engine from overheating.
Household sinks include small devices of low power and productivity. They create a pressure of 20-120 atm or 120-150 atm. The former consume 300-400 l / h, work without stopping for an average of 30-40 minutes, and their power is enough to clean something not very dirty: bike paths, carpet. The latter spend water at 500-600 l / h and are able to work for more than an hour without a break. And this is the best choice for the role of a country or home mini-sink.
Apparatuses with a water flow rate of more than 600 l/h and a pressure of more than 150 bar belong to the professional category. They are larger, heavier, and can be equipped with a water heater or chemical tank. Such high pressure washers are most often found in professional car washes, and buying them for “home” use is not practical given the higher price.
How to choose a pressure washer?
Not only its durability, but also endurance depends on the material of the mini-wash pump. That is, how long can the device work continuously. Washers with plastic pumps last an average of half an hour, after which you need to take a break. Buying a mini-sink with such a pump is justified only because of its compactness. Devices with a metal or ceramic pump last longer and can work up to a couple of hours.
When choosing a pressure washer for your machine, consider the length of the hose. The larger it is, the easier and more convenient it will be to work with the device. Mini sinks with a hose shorter than 5 m are not the best choice for this purpose. Well, if the design of the device provides a filter. It will extend the life of the sink by protecting its mechanisms from debris and small particles from outside. And when choosing a portable car wash, you should pay attention to models with the possibility of using additional nozzles that can be purchased later.
The best choice for washing a car, as well as the facade of a summer house or paths on a personal plot, together with garden tools, will be a household high-pressure washer at 120-140 atm. And remember that its effectiveness depends not so much on the pressure created, but on its correct combination with the flow of water. Simply put, an increase in the latter will have a greater effect on the quality of surface cleaning than an increase in pressure.
High pressure wash rating
Every year, the list of the best high pressure washers is updated with the release of new, more powerful, modern and convenient models from different manufacturers, with which this niche is rich. The most famous brands in the mini-sink market include: Karcher, Bosch, Huter, Elitech, Portotecnica, Makita, Nilfisk, Stihl and Patriot.
In the top lines of the ratings of the best pressure washers for a car in 2021, in terms of price to quality ratio, the following models of devices most often appear:
Do you need to wash your car in winter? And if so, how is it right?
There are two reasons why it is important to wash cars in winter. Firstly, in winter our cars collect much more dirt, salt and harmful reagents than in summer. Reagents are especially active on car bodies at temperatures near zero, but even at sub-zero temperatures, the effect continues. Secondly, road dirt accumulates on the windows and scratches them when we use windshield wipers and scrapers.
Can a car be washed in any frost?
We did not find in any manual for the operation of a car a ban on washing the body in cold weather. The only thing worth noting is that motorists can successfully use self-service car washes down to minus 10°C. To wash your car yourself at lower temperatures, you need to have a good experience, otherwise the washing solution will freeze and you will not have time to wash it off. At temperatures below minus 10°C, it is recommended to use a hand wash.
Features of washing in cold weather start at -5°C
Down to minus 5°С car washing, in fact, does not differ from washing at positive temperatures. But if the temperature approaches minus 10 ° C, then there are several subtleties. The main point is to do everything so that the washing solution does not freeze, has time to work out.
1st feature: Pick a time when there is no strong wind
In strong winds, the cleaning solution freezes faster. Yes, and most wash the car in the wind is extremely uncomfortable.
2nd feature: My well-warmed up car
To do this, you can turn on the stove in the cabin to the maximum, turn on intensive airflow, as well as defrosters for windows and mirrors. In this way, the car body will warm up and the washing solution will act on pollution for a longer time. Why is it important to separately heat the windows and mirrors – only so that at the end of the wash the water does not freeze on them, which will limit the driver’s view. If drops of water freeze on the body – it’s okay, they will soon go away on their own.
3rd feature: During washing, we do not turn off the engine, the stove remains at maximum
Taxi drivers have been doing this for a long time, but other motorists usually turn off their engines. Meanwhile, in cold weather, you need to continue to warm the body.
4th feature: We prepare tokens or cash in advance (depending on the car wash)
Again, in order not to interrupt the washing process. If the composition freezes during the washing process, it will take a lot of time and effort to melt it.
Feature 5: Use wax to help drive water off the body before it freezes
Wax is also important at positive temperatures, but in cold weather it becomes especially relevant. It is also important that the sink has lukewarm water in the wash mode and in the flush mode.
How to dry the car so that the rubber bands do not freeze?
Most often, motorists are afraid of frozen doors after visiting car washes. But this problem is easily solved. You can pre-apply silicone to the rubber door seals. Then, after washing the car, you can immediately continue driving. After washes, you can simply open the car doors for a few minutes. The water on the seals will partially drain, partially evaporate, partially freeze. But the doors themselves will no longer freeze to the seals.
Julián Arroyo assures that without the support of his family and friends he would not have been able to carry out the undertaking
Julián Arroyo is committed to changing the link with the environment. His father is a plumber and helped him create a rainwater collection system and the necessary filters to reuse it. He is evaluating opening Eco Wash franchises and projects new eco-friendly ventures.
To clean a car, up to 500 liters of water are used. An average car wash washes at least 100 vehicles per day, that is, it uses 50,000 liters every 24 hours. Seeing how such an essential resource is wasted was what motivated Julián Arroyo to create Eco Wash, the first sustainable car wash in the country.
In 2021, Julián was presented with the possibility of opening a car wash inside a sports complex in the port of Mar del Plata. Until that moment he had not discovered how to make it sustainable, but he did when intense rain filled the open pits in the ground while they were building the floor: create a rainwater collection system.
Shortly after, he felt that he had to go one step further to be truly sustainable and asked his father, a plumber, to help him also design the filtering system to reuse it.
“You don’t need to bring a filter from NASA to be able to recover the water, nor do you need US$50,000 to start a business. Putting a little desire, head and, above all, a lot of sacrifice, you can do a business
The young entrepreneur is convinced that in Argentina “there are great opportunities for sustainable businesses, so that the under 40s start investing.”
With the conviction of caring for the environment
Julián is 26 years old and lives in Mar del Plata. His first job was at a car wash company, where he worked for 10 years. “I was always struck by the number of liters of water that was thrown away. When I left I wanted to start a business on my own and the possibility arose of building a car wash from scratch and I decided to make it sustainable”.
It was then that he turned to his father who helped him design the rainwater collection and filtering system. “My dad is a plumber and we began to find a way around him, to investigate. We spent a month making plans. When we made them we didn’t know if they were going to work and as we went along we refined the idea”, he said.
In addition to using rainwater, Eco Wash uses eco-friendly soaps
The work began in August 2021 and on December 13 the laundry was already in operation. The most difficult thing was to get the staff, because, he says, “the field is highly stigmatized.” “It is thought that it is for people without education or without resources and in reality it is not; it is a question of the company adapting to provide better conditions to be able to offer a comfortable job and in good conditions”, he assured. Today, mothers and fathers of families and university students work at Eco Wash.
How does the system work
In addition to the water collection and filtering systems, Eco Wash began to stock up on environmentally friendly soaps, which dissolve in a week. “As the water pits collect 7,000 liters, they have time to turn around, then the soap dissolves. But in addition, we put a thinner on it,” he explained.
In total, they have two rainwater collection pits, which they use directly in the laundry. The liquid used is recovered in other pits in which settlers are placed, there it is filtered and the sand and earth remain at the bottom, thanks to a pump that works by level.
Then, the water goes into 200-liter tanks filled with stones and sand that filter it and then store it in two 2,000-liter tanks, which are used as storage. The cycle starts over when it is used again in the pressure washer.
How much does a sustainable car wash service cost?
Julián Arroyo created Eco Wash, the first sustainable car wash in Argentina, which recovers rainwater and has filters to reuse it after each wash
In Mar del Plata, a basic car wash costs from $1,500, at Eco Wash they charge $2,300, but it has the added bonus of knowing that the water is being reused. “We are not aiming to wash 100 cars a day, as any car wash does, but we are aiming for people to have a different and good quality service,” said Julián.
According to him, he said, for now what motivates the people of Mar del Plata to go to his place is not so much the awareness of caring for the environment, but the quality of the service, but he trusts that the youngest will choose them for both reasons.
“It’s part of a long process, that those of us 40 years old and below have to do, to start applying these techniques and change our minds, so that young boys can grow up with it. Older people have no conscience, but those between 25 and 35 years old like the idea, they even spread, share, recommend, ”he said.
Franchises and more sustainable projects
The next step that Julián wants to take is to dive into the world of franchises and he already has interested investors. “Water recycling is already working and we already have a fixed clientele, the second stage is to create a platform to manage shifts, and then a network of car washes, in which we provide support, human resources and the service system. water recovery, as if they were franchises”, he anticipated.
At the moment everything is under evaluation, he doesn’t want to “launch early”, but what he is convinced of is that he is not afraid that they will replicate his idea. In fact, part of his environmental awareness has to do with that.
“I also think that, hand in hand with politics, they should begin to make certain changes to favor young people who are entrepreneurs and who want to put these types of solutions into practice,” he added.
He is thinking of closing a deal with an importer of electric motorcycles and scooters. “I started with a laundry room, but I have a lot of projects in mind that go hand in hand with sustainability. I am a distributor of a tire brand and the issue of tires is an ecological problem, and I am planning to find a final disposal for them, such as the recycling of rubber to be used in concrete”.
If he has to summarize the success of Eco Wash, Julián likes to attribute it to the “dedication” and “sacrifice” of those who accompanied him on this path “to move the business forward”.
Here are some things that are probably in your car that shouldn’t be: dirt, Doritos, dust, dog hair, leaves, potato chips, bits of paper, leftover pretzel, an errant potato chip from your last stop at your local Favorite fast food. But go for it: you can (it used to cost $40).
Don’t you think it’s time to enjoy a clean car inside?
The next time you drop Cheetos in the car, don’t smash all that orange powder on the carpet. Simply grab the one from the trunk, plug it into your car’s 12V socket and clean professionally. Thanks to its , the device also removes allergens making your car safe and healthy. Think of all the money you save by not having to go to the car wash as often!
Cordless vacuums may be convenient, but they don’t always have the power to get the job done right. This one has a and a cable of almost five meters that allows you to get between the upholstery of the seats and the side gaps. With the stiff brush you can solve big messes.
The handheld vacuum cleaner comes with three different accessories, including a pet hair brush. It is very satisfying: since the container is transparent, you can see the remains that enter the machine.
It can also be a great gift for someone who does a lot of road trips. Users love the practicality of this device: “The most impressive car vacuum cleaner”; “This is great! I have a 2018 Dodge Durango that unfortunately does not have leather seats. I have three dogs and it is a nightmare to pull the cord to vacuum the truck. Now all I have to do is plug it in and go! The power of this vacuum cleaner is what is needed in a car vacuum cleaner”.
One says that he uses the vacuum cleaner frequently at his job and says that it helps him get big tips. “This is a tremendous vacuum cleaner! Very easy to set up! Works fine!” he adds.
“It’s the best vacuum I’ve ever used”, “catches things that other vacuums don’t, like fine dust from the dashboard and console. The accessories appear to be made and designed specifically for a car. Congratulations to the design engineers. it has an appropriate name, because that is what it does.”
With cyclonic force and great suction power, this compact and lightweight handheld vacuum can catch just about any dirt on your car. The kit includes three accessories, for greater precision, a carrying bag and a filter brush.
Of course, you will benefit from free shipping with Amazon Prime. Still are you not a member? No problem. You can sign up here for a free 30-day trial (by the way, non-Prime users will still get free shipping on orders of $25 or more).
The Mouss’Auto car wash was forced to close the shop so as not to encourage customers to come and wash their cars
It is now forbidden to wash your car, neither in your garden nor in a car wash. Decision of the Mayenne prefecture last week, because the Mayenne (France) water points are low. Station bosses plan to lose a lot of treasury.
It is now forbidden to wash your car, neither in your garden nor in a car wash. Decision of the Mayenne prefecture last week, because the Mayenne water points are low. Station bosses plan to lose a lot of cash. This concerns the 3 territories of Mayenne and Oudon placed in red on the map of the prefecture but not the areas of Sarthe upstream and downstream as well as Mayenne upstream west yet on heightened alert.
Motorists were a little surprised when they arrived at the Mayenne cleaning stations. “I don’t have a garden at home, I have no choice but to come here to wash my car, even if it means risking a fine,” laments Kelly, in one of the Laval car washes. “I wasn’t even aware of it, and since it’s still open, I thought it was good,” explains Jean, just before turning around, for fear of being checked.
Some washing stations in Mayenne have therefore decided to completely stop their activity. Others remain open because emergency vehicles, taxis or even funeral directors have the right to clean the bodywork and the windshield for sanitary reasons. Individuals risk up to 1,500 euros in fines in the event of non-compliance with the rules.
“Cleaning at home consumes much more than our stations”
A decision of the prefecture of Mayenne which angers the managers of the washing stations. For them, their activity consumes very little water. “We are water users and not consumers”, analyzes the boss of the Blue Elephant in Saint-Berthevin. “The water used to clean the cars is stored, then filtered to return to our circuits. What bothers the prefecture is the somewhat long delay for the water to return,” he continues.
Another fear is that customers wash their cars at home in secret. “A station wash is 50 to 70 liters, at home with the hose it’s 250 to 300 liters of water. Ecologically it’s not great”, explains Ludovic Fraboulet, the manager of Mouss ‘Auto in Laval. , forced to completely close its activity. “And if we add to that the particles of petrol and oil that fall into the garden, it pollutes the soil even more”.
For the moment, no date of resumption of activity is envisaged by the prefecture of Mayenne because it depends on the rainfall to come in the department. But if the decree lasts until next October, some like Ludovic Fraboulet will be forced to go out of business.
With large investments, such as are often necessary for agricultural machinery, value retention is a major issue. Dedication, employee protection and occupational safety should not be forgotten in this context. Effective cleaning helps to meet all these requirements and avoid costs for breakdowns and repairs.
Tractors are key machines on farms. Cleaning the tractor should be done as needed to ensure operational readiness and to uncover damage hidden under dust and dirt.
Machine care with the high-pressure cleaner: cold or hot water?
Over the years, the high-pressure cleaner has prevailed for cleaning the outside of agricultural machinery. All major dirt can be removed quickly and effectively. If you use a cold water high-pressure cleaner, a suitable cleaning agent can be used to help you achieve a good result quickly.
Hot water high-pressure cleaners work more effectively: The high temperature increases the cleaning performance. Better results are achieved in less time, reducing water consumption compared to cold water pressure washers. In addition, the drying time and thus the amount of work are reduced (up to 40 percent). With this method, oils and greasy residues dissolve better.
This is what matters when it comes to exterior and cabin cleaning
For all work, the pressure and water volume depend on the object and the degree of soiling. The distance should be about 20 to 30 centimeters from the surface in order to achieve the greatest possible cleaning effect and at the same time to avoid damage.
Cabin cleaning is often neglected, especially during the season. But it should also be cleaned regularly. Small dirt particles in the cabin space are removed regularly and thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, this can also be done with a broom or hand brush.
This avoids damage to the electrics, electronics and hydraulics as well as costly repairs caused by dust, dirt and moisture. Don’t forget: clean the cabin filter to prevent the spread of mold spores or mycotoxins.
Cleaning windows: Ensure a clear view
Clean discs ensure higher work quality and more efficient work. If the discs are not clean, this can result in the working width of the attachment being misjudged.
In addition, poor visibility increases the likelihood of damage or accidents in the yard, on the road or in the field in many cases.
How often does the agricultural machine have to be cleaned?
You don’t think you can earn money with machine cleaning during the season. However, costs can be saved by avoiding unnecessary repairs and working safely and efficiently.
The following recommendation for cleaning work therefore applies:
External cleaning: Always after hard periods of use (e.g. sowing or harvesting) or when a machine is to be used on another farm. The frequency can vary. One measure at the end of the season is often sufficient for soil cultivation and sowing technology. Crop protection equipment, fertilizer spreaders and liquid manure tanks that come into contact with very corrosive substances should be cleaned after each phase of use.
Interior cleaning: Cabins including windows are to be cleaned as often as possible – even during the season. If necessary, daily.
After the season, plant protection equipment should be cleaned and stored away from frost. Read our five tips for cleaning and storing field sprayers.
Five steps to a clean machine
Cleaning the preparation and cabin: Position the working device in a suitable cleaning area. Dry clean the cab interior – including windows and cab air filters, screens and pre-filters.
Rough cleaning and soaking time: First remove coarse dirt mechanically or with the compressor. Then open the flaps of drives, cooler packages, etc. and moisten all components with water so that the dirt is soaked and can be removed. If necessary, detergents can be used.
Cleaning with hot water: Before you reach for the high-pressure cleaner and start Kärcher, put on protective equipment. Sensitive components may only be treated gently or indirectly. Finally, check all covers and maintenance flaps. If you discover dirt spots: rinse.
Drying time: To reduce the time, residual water can be vacuumed off or blown away. Check the clean machine for damage.
Care measures: Work through the manufacturer’s maintenance plan, process maintenance points according to the operating instructions, e.g. grease. Preservatives are applied where necessary.
In the future, the robot will replace divers when performing the glass cleaning work at the Aquatika Aquarium in Karlovac, after the aquarium management purchased a robot that will improve, speed up and simplify the cleaning process and thus reduce costs.
The new equipment, worth 35,000 kuna, was presented last Wednesday by Aquatika director Margarita Maruškić Kulaš, who explained that paid divers are expensive, dangerous and slow, so she expressed satisfaction with the purchase of the robot, which she believes will also generate interest among visitors. .
A call for suggestions for naming the robot diver will be published on social media shortly.
Until now, aquarist Marin Jarniak has been diving with oxygen tanks and cleaning the inside of the glass, which has been an added attraction at Aquatica.
Now he will have to rarely and most of the time the pool will be cleaned remotely by controlling a robot hoover.
“Most futurologists predict that in 20 years’ time we will live in smart cities and smart flats, which will be controlled by artificial intelligence and which will adapt the living space to the desires and habits of the household, while the routine work will be done by robots and humans will do more complex and creative work, Aquatica is following this path,” concluded Maruškić Kulaš.
This photo, taken in 1924, shows the hot novelty of the time, a new type of car wash that opened in Chicago, at the corner of 42nd Street and South Michigan Avenue.
It is known that there were at least two such car washes in Chicago in the 1920s. However, the first of these designs appeared in St. Paul, Minnesota. The patent for “auto-baths” was received in 1921 by S.P. Boland, the inventor of this design. It was he who opened the first two “car pools” in St. Paul. Boland advertised them as the most convenient way to clean dirt off the bottom of a car. In those days, when automobile traffic was just beginning to turn around, most roads were unpaved, and perpetual mud was a serious problem for motorists. It clung to the bottoms and wheels of cars. But car pools, Boland promised, would solve this problem.
The car pool was a concrete bowl about 30 meters in diameter and up to 40 centimeters deep. The customer paid 25 cents for a wash. After the payment the attendant would cover the radiator with a special rubber cover, and then the driver would go down the special ramp into the bowl and start circling around the bowl at about 15 km/h. The car was bouncing on the unevenness of the concrete, the bowl walls were vibrating, water was agitating – all this helped to effectively wash away the dirt from the bottom of the car, chassis and wheels. The entire washing process took only three to four minutes. Those who wanted to wash the entire car would drive into the special booths where the attendants completed the wash. The procedure was popular: on Saturdays up to 75 cars per hour would go through the “car pool”.
After the success of the idea in St. Paul, Boland began to promote his invention in other cities, offering those wishing to purchase a franchise. The first franchisee in Chicago was S. J. Burkhartmeyer, who built the city’s first car pool on the north side of the city, at the corner of Diversey and Elston streets. He purchased the franchise in 1924, and it cost him about $20,000 to build the car wash and service. The architect who created Chicago’s first car pool was William S. Presto, who later built many magnificent buildings in the city.
Alas, car pools did not last long, and with the advent of paved roads quickly faded into history. One of Chicago’s car wash bowls was already purchased in 1926 by a local developer to build a house. The other existed until the early 1930s, but then also went into oblivion.
When taking a dirty car to a car wash, we’re almost always confident of a relatively successful result, but it’s best to monitor the process, otherwise there could be unpleasant consequences for the bodywork and on-board electronics. So what should you look out for?
Washing heavily soiled vehicles
Firstly, try to get your car washed at least once a week. The notion that a layer of dirt protects the paintwork from sand, salt and abrasive particles is actually a myth. The more dirt adheres to your car, the more difficult it will be to remove without affecting the paintwork.
We’re not even talking about the effects of wearing a road reagent ‘suit’ on your bodywork. If you’ve been driving on asphalt covered in chemical sludge, welcome to the car wash! Definitely, if your car is thoroughly polluted, avoid automatic car washes. Contact with brushes, especially for strongly soiled car, is destructive. At usual car washes, ask car wash operators to wash your car thoroughly before foam application. Sometimes it’s logical to pay extra for this procedure.
Not accounted for by temperature differences
Direct sunlight is a known enemy of paintwork. However, it’s not even the warming up of the bodywork itself, e.g. in the blazing southern sun, but the sudden change in temperature when streams of cold water are poured over the almost literal red-hot bodywork. You may not notice the effects of such hardening immediately, they will manifest themselves later. Temperature changes cause imperceptible micro cracks to develop in the lacquer. Over time, these will allow moisture to seep through and cause corrosion.
To protect your bodywork from such unpleasant scenarios, splurge on an extra polish before the summer season. To prevent your car’s windows from cracking, use the air conditioning system to gradually cool the interior down just before washing in the heat. Alternatively, make sure that the car washers use lukewarm rather than cold water when washing the car. Similar precautions should be taken when washing very cold cars, e.g. cars that were outside in sub-zero temperatures during the winter.
However, good carwashes know: to spare a body and glasses of automobile, it should stand and get warm before washing for at least five, and better all for ten minutes. Even then, the car should be rinsed first with cold water and then the temperature should be increased as necessary.
Drying – not drying
Another common mistake that occurs in winter is the incomplete drying of numerous bodywork elements. What’s the first thing to look out for? It’s not uncommon for car wash operators to limit themselves to blowing out the locks with compressed air. But you should also make sure they rub the door seals dry (and not symbolically), and just as importantly, the fuel filler flap. Otherwise you risk either not getting into the car in freezing temperatures or being unable to unscrew the frozen petrol tank cap at the petrol station.
Also make sure the exterior mirror elements are blown out and the parking sensors are wiped down. Another tip is to “frost” the car after washing: open everything that opens, move the wiper blades away from the windscreen and let the car stand like that for about five minutes.
“Work on the door locks, bonnet, boot lid and fuel filler flap to make sure the gears and actuators are not frozen. If you park the car right after washing, take the time to “dry” the brake shoes by performing series of acceleration and braking. Once you have done this, the chances of the pads sticking to the discs or drums will be reduced to a minimum.
Careful of the underbody space
The desire to see a clean underhood is understandable and even commendable. However, if you entrust this area to professionals or take it to a self-service car wash, make sure you know if a high-pressure washer is used. Modern machines are packed with gauges and electronics.
Also, high pressure water can easily get into the holes in control units. Ruptured wiring, damaged radiators or even chipped paint are just a few of the hazards that can be caused by the improper use of washing machines.
Close contact with water
Watch the cleaners and in most cases you will see that they bring the “nozzle” of the “kerger” too close to the body. It’s understandable – it’s more effective at knocking down dirt, especially around the arches.
In the meantime, water flow pressure can reach 140 bar, which is a serious test for the paintwork. The surface protection layer vibrates and the paint becomes micro-cracked, which can become cloudy after a few years.
If your car is not new and the body is rusted, the blast from a “kerger” is doubly dangerous – it can chop off pieces of metal that it needs. Also, if handled carelessly, the washerman, or more likely you yourself, can damage the decorative plastic linings. In any case, it is advisable to hold the gun at least 25 cm away from the bodywork and not to wash off dirt at an angle of 90 degrees.
