Car Wash Myths Debunked

Even the thoroughbreds of the highways - Lamborghinis, Porsches and Ferraris - can appear as shabby cart horses without the gloss, shine and shimmer of a clean and highly polished exterior. Before we all get carried away with mopping, swabbing and polishing though, there are a number of car wash myths that need to be exposed.

1) Household dishwashing liquid is fine and the frugal alternative to car washes or shampoos
Absolutely no way, José! It will literally remove all the important protective ingredients of the car duco, or paintwork, in a similar fashion to the way it removes heavy stains and built-up grease from plates, pots and pans. Waxes and silicones, the healthy alternatives for all auto paintwork, will disappear after repeated use of conventional dishwashing cleaners, leaving the surface of the car vulnerable to rust, particularly if you live in Cape Town, or anywhere near the ocean. Opt for the real deal, even though it may cost a little more.


2) Any cloth will do
Again, unless you opt for a 100% cotton terry cloth, you're likely to increase your work load. Most other fabrics are inclined to leave a thin film of fluff all over the car once dry, demanding yet another rub over. Avoid sponges as they tend to absorb dirt and grime and when you think you're giving your much cherished set of wheels a good clean you are probably sandpapering the paintwork right off instead, heading it straight back to the car dealer!

3) 2-in-1 wash ‘n wax is the easy alternative for the slothful new or used car owner
Instead of making your life a whole lot easier, you'll in all likelihood be doubling your trouble. The wax will quite simply seal in all the dirt and grime under a thin, virtually impenetrable layer that will require a whole lot more elbow grease to remove. Rather give your car the once over with a reputable car wash or shampoo, dry it down with a chamois cloth and then build up the pecs with a little wax music!


4) There's no real difference between a polish and a wax job
The action of polishing actually removes a fine layer of the paintwork, creating an entirely new, ultra-shiny surface; giving your used car the look of a supermodel. Waxing, on the other hand, adds a thin layer of protective coating to the paintwork, forcing water to run off and keeping stains and marks to a minimum.


Reeds Motor Group offers the largest range of guaranteed used cars in Cape Town, and great deals on new cars too! We retail Opel, Isuzu, Chevrolet, Saab, Hummer and Cadillac.