Regardless of the season, a vehicle is always exposed to certain weather conditions that damage the bodywork. In the UAE, the summer heat can damage the paint and especially dry dead insects stuck to the windshield or paint. Sticky leaves in autumn might also be resistant to basic hand wash- a car needs to be cleaned several times a year. Since hand washing is allowed only under certain circumstances and additionally requires a lot of effort, going to the car wash is preferred in most cases. The search for a professional car wash that delivers high-quality results is often not easy for many car owners, we would therefore like to give you useful advice with our guide as to what has to be considered when going to the carwash and how it works. You will also receive useful information on price and environmental friendliness with regard to the various car washes and we will inform you about possible risks, so that when you leave the car wash your car shines and is not scratched.
How does a car wash work and what types are available?
As soon as your car is covered with a thick layer of dust and leaves and the next visit to the car wash is due, the vehicle owner has two options: First, there is the fairly well-known car wash where the vehicle is transported by means of a conveyor belt through the tunnel and the fixed mounted brushes move vertically and horizontally. Secondly, there is the so-called roll-over car wash unit where the car is parked and the brushes move around it. In this variant, you have to usually get out of the vehicle, which is not necessary in a typical car wash. When using the car wash, care should always be taken to ensure that all windows are closed so that no water gets into the vehicle. Likewise, any existing roof boxes should be removed from the vehicle and the antenna should be retracted. Convertibles can go through a car wash – but if it has a fabric top care should be taken. The older the car, the less waterproof the roof may become from the increased water pressure and the drying fan. There are special convertible programs that use a brush wash suitable for soft fabric that can prevent scratches.
Otherwise there is the danger that through the power of the car wash, damage can incur where there is usually no liability. Experts also recommend that a superficial basic cleaning be completed and, for example, to remove leaves or other debris from the outside of the vehicle. If this is not done, motorists must be aware that there can be small scratches in the bodywork after the car wash. As the brushes are working the dirt, which acts like sandpaper, into the surface. The engine compartment should also be checked prior to the car wash for dirt, as it could be blocked for example. Always take into consideration the fact that at a carwash there are necessary considerable forces in play to impeccably clean the car. Most brushes that are mounted in a car wash are made of fairly hard polyethylene and are not allowed to come in contact with dirt as the friction may cause scratches. Many car washes are already following the gentle cleaning trend by not using rough brushes and working with paint gentle foam sponges.
Useful information about car washes
When choosing a suitable carwash the main question asked is how can consumers recognize that it is a professional and reputable car wash that will clean their vehicle thoroughly, and at the same time be gentle. A good car wash has a clean and neat appearance. Evidence that it is a professional car wash can be seen in the condition of the brushes. Are the brush fibres filled with dirt then damage to the paintwork is inevitable, in such a case, the owner of the car wash can be held liable. It is the case: If the unit is used properly, yet damage occurs to the vehicle, the person in charge of the car wash has to pay for the damages. Any damages should be immediately pointed out after exiting the car wash as it is difficult and often unsuccessful to make a later claim.
The cost to have your car washed varies according to the provider and wash program and is between 20 AED for a simple brush wash to 50 AED for the All-Inclusive-Luxury program. The average price for a car wash in the UAE is approximately 30 AED for a basic wash. Slightly more expensive is the paint gentle textile foam wash, which is recommended by experts. Luxury programs like a hot wax treatment should be rarely completed not only because of the price, but because they also pollute the environment.
Using a car wash or do it yourself?
In general: Nothing speaks against the proper and sound use of a car wash. On the contrary, compared to washing the car yourself, which is feasible only under certain conditions, there are no restrictions when using a professional car wash and the consumer can be sure that their car is cleaned professionally and thoroughly. If the motorists decide to use a roll-over car wash that is more environmentally friendly as the water consumption is only 120 litres compared to 600 litres at a regular car wash. Nevertheless, all car owners should use a car wash and not clean their vehicles too often so as to keep fresh water consumption as low as possible. Most car washes are environmentally friendly and already collect the dirty water, filter it and reuse it repeatedly. Nevertheless, a commercial car wash is not environmentally friendly, because for a thorough cleaning chemical cleaning agents must be added to the water – a process which unfortunately cannot be avoided. For this reason, luxury programs like underbody wash or hot wax wash should not be selected as this harms the environment. We recommend for an optimal and above all environmentally friendly result a foam wash in the main wash.
Likewise, caution should be exercised in the pre-wash phase, because it is mixed with chemicals that can damage the paint job – fading may be the result. Whoever accuses the car wash or its employees of damaging their vehicle must prove it according to the law. This can usually only be done if a sample of the damaging cleaning water is removed. If it cannot be proven, the customer will not only have the cost to repair the damages but also the appraiser’s fees. The only option available is to inform yourself in advance about chemical incompatibilities to the paint and to wash the car yourself.