We all like to think that we do a good job of taking care of our cars. Between the regular oil changes and tire rotations, your car seems pleased and runs smoothly all the time. However, there is one area of your car’s care that is often neglected, but is actually very important. Just as scheduling car service in Basalt, CO is important, so too is making sure that regular car washes are a part of your car’s maintenance plan.
What dirt is really doing to your paint job
It is vital to keep your car cleaned regularly because dirt and grime can cause serious damage over time. Although a car wash may seem like such a simple thing that couldn’t possibly have that much of an impact, anything that is allowed to penetrate your car’s finish could end up being very costly, and a car wash is an effective means of preventing this from happening.
Think for a minute about the amount of salt that your car is exposed to every winter. When the winter season is over, most people will get a car wash to rinse all of the winter’s wear away. However, what the salt is doing to your car throughout the winter months is detrimental. The layers of salt are gradually eating away at the finish of your car, and can leave your car’s frame exposed and vulnerable. The same can be said for other substances that your car comes into contact with during the course of the year, be it bird droppings, tar or air pollution.
When all is said and done, the paint job on your car could suffer serious deterioration, and the resale value of your car could take a hit as a result. And once unattended grime has successfully penetrated the finish of your car, it will aggressively attack the frame of your car beneath the surface and give way to the number one enemy: rust.
The true damage rust can cause
Once the paint begins to chip away and your car’s structure becomes even slightly exposed to the outside air, the oxidation process begins to break down the metal frame, and rust begins to form. More than just your average deterioration, rust has the potential to completely ruin a car, and could even make it dangerous and unsafe to drive.
Rust spreads like gangrene, and can weaken all of the metal parts that it comes in to contact with if allowed to form on the inner workings of your car. This means that over time a small rust spot that was initially caused by a neglected finish can spread to a component that is critical to your car’s makeup. This piece can eventually become rusted through so badly that it breaks away from the frame of your car, and if you are on the road when this happens, you could be in trouble.
Car washes may seem like they don’t need to be included in your regular car service regimen in Basalt, CO, but not taking care of a very small thing can cause you a world of trouble in the long run. If you have spotted any small rust spots or are dealing with any other auto repair issues, make sure to bring your car to the staff at Basalt Quick Lube & Tire. We will make sure your car looks and runs like new in no time.