BODYWORK Spring Cleaning

Washing a car is easy. Even parents pay their children to do it; it is that simple. Yet, as most adults cannot wash cars properly, what chance have youngsters got? The irony is not lost on Bert Youell, founder of the Professional Valeters & Detailers Trade Association (PVD), which exists not only to raise awareness and standards in the industry but it also works with the UK Detailing Academy to provide training to both its members and the public. Bert explains:

“It is amazing that certain motorists own (or lease) expensive cars but do not appreciate how much damage can be wrought by careless cleaning. The further issue is a lack of awareness surrounding chemical safety.”

Well-intentioned but ill-judged

The problem is that many people view any car cleaning as beneficial, when employing inappropriate techniques, or incorrect products, can cause permanent damage. Dragging road grit across the bodywork results in obvious scratches, for example and, considering that modern paintwork tends to be relatively thin, this might necessitate a respray, which could run into many hundreds of pounds. Less evident are small particles that may result in multiple subtle imperfections (marring) that dull the paint finish. High-quality products not only avoid this but also possess essential lubrication properties to reduce abrasion damage. If you buy diligently, they need not be costly.

Even so, both incorrect techniques and products can even be employed by those purporting to be professionals, meaning that paying somebody else is not always a safe bet. Within the last few years, the UK government has rejected calls for a mandatory licensing scheme for car washes, with the Car Wash Association quoting police claims that up to 20,000 rogue and untrained car hand wash businesses operate within the UK. Aside from tax avoidance and modern slavery considerations, one of the arguments centres on the environmental implications of chemical run-off and waterways pollution. Yet, some of these chemicals are not suited for automotive use and, even if they were, it is unlikely the operators are trained to use them properly. Using excessively acidic, or caustic/alkaline cleaners, or products diluted incorrectly, can promote corrosion on bright trim and alloy wheels, although the damage will not be visible until some time after the work was