Pinoy Life On Wheels

Ah, so you like your car nice and shiny. So do I. When I was younger I never saw the logic behind washing cars on a regular basis. All the while I thought it was just about the looks of the car that had to be maintained and nothing more. How wrong was I! Cars are washed because the body needs to be protected. The more protection, the longer the paint job will last. That and other myths have been dispelled by 3M technicians and researchers. Here are some debunked car washing myths.

Top 3 car washing myths

1. There’s no difference between cleaning and washing/ polishing and waxing. Big mistake. Cleaning your car means removing all dirt from both the exterior and the interior of the car. Washing it, well, it involves water. Doing both means your car will be spic and span. Polishing is just making the exterior and the dash shiny clean. Waxing is what you do before you polish. They’re not necessarily all the same, it’s just that you have to do all these things to ensure that your car’s is cleaned and protected. Why? A clean car is a well-maintained car. Rust and corrosion are held at bay by the constant cleaning, which will eventually prolong the life of your vehicle. 3M has some of the most effective polishes and waxes available in the market. 3M is highly recommended for those who want a professional-looking clean and shine without having to go to a detailing shop.

2. Detergents are best for cleaning the car. Wrong. Detergents contain abrasives that can strip your car’s paint of its external protective coating. Never use detergents, better yet use foam washes that are designed for car paints. Also don’t use just about any cloths when you wash your car. Some motorists make the mistake of using cloth diapers (yes, there are car wash boys who do) or old t-shirts. I personally use 3M™ Perfect-It™ Detailing Cloth for my car and van. Microfiber-based detailing cloth by 3M does the best job in taking away the grime and soap without scratching your car’s surface.

3. Car waxes guarantee protection for a year. So not true. Despite the expensive detailing and lengthy sales pitches, protection afforded by waxes can never be guaranteed for whatever amount of time. The rate at how the protection wears off depends primarily on the weather conditions where you park your car. If your home is near the ocean, don’t expect your wax to protect your car for long, though it does help a lot when you wax regularly if your car is constantly exposed to the sea breeze. If you live in the city, there is little corrosion from the elements on a regular day. However in Metro Manila the rain water tends to be acidic, thus the need for regular waxing.

You have spent a lot of money on mortgages and fees when you got your car. Maintaining it and making it a keeper shouldn’t cost you so much. 3M car care products may seem expensive at the onset, but with the protection it affords, 3M actually SAVES you money in the long term. Think about it.

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