Everybody loves a squeaky clean car and such a car has its unique personality. People often go to great lengths to make sure that their car gets the treatment it deserves and spends thousands to buy car care products.
It can be estimated by the fact that the car detailing and washing industry in just the U.S was worth $10.3 billion in 2020. The daily hustle and bustle and the contaminants in our environment can quickly make our vehicle dirty and sometimes it is rather heart-wrenching to see your car got all muddy due to unfavorable road conditions.
It is good to thoroughly wash your car at least once a month when it has been smeared with sticky stains, just cleaning it in such a condition can leave scratches that will ruin the looks of a car.
There are different approaches people use to wash their car and each one has its own benefits and drawbacks. There are several instances when a person is out of car shampoo and it is hard to delay the car wash as it is difficult to find spare time in our busy lives.
Furthermore, quality car shampoos are a bit expensive and some people cannot afford them. The good news is there are some alternatives that you can utilize to clean your car, however people get confused whether they should turn toward these alternatives since several products can damage a car’s paint. A hair or a body shampoo is one such item that people ask whether it should be used or not to wash a car?
can you use shampoo to wash your car?
The answer to this question is ‘Yes’ BUT it is crucial to remember that these shampoos are made to be used on a human body or hair, not to wash cars. Therefore, it is wise to exercise precaution since hair & body shampoos are slightly acidic in nature with their pH level at 5.5, their acidic nature is what makes your eyes.
The acidic nature is not only detrimental to your eyes, but it can also cause the top layer of a car’s paint to erode. The top layer of a car’s paint is known as a clear coat, it is a transparent layer that protects the actual color of a car and gives a glossy shine to it. A reduced clear coat will fade a car’s paint and your car will look dull no matter what you do to make it bright again.
Precautions to take when Using Shampoo on Your Car
It is important to ensure that a hair or a body shampoo does not remain on a car for long as it will start to eat away your vehicle’s paint.
This is also true for a dishwashing liquid since it is also a common alternative to a car shampoo. The use of a hair shampoo that has fine solid particles (granules) in it should always be avoided since it will leave swirl marks and visible scratches on a paint job.
There are some other precautions that you should also take into account. For instance, the car should always be wiped, cleaned, and buffed with a good microfiber cloth/towel.
Not every microfiber towel is made the same way and a good one might cost a bit more, but it will be worth it in the long run as it will last longer, and you’ll avoid any swirl marks.
The use of the same towel for the lower and upper parts of a car’s body should be avoided, always try to wash your car in a shady area where the sun does not come into direct contact with it as the UV rays emitted from the sun are devastating for a car’s paint.
Conclusion on washing a car using shampoo
The use of hair shampoo should only be done in case of extreme circumstances as it is not the right product for washing a vehicle and it should not be left for long on a car’s body because of its acidic nature.
Try to use a car shampoo as it is more beneficial and designed for this purpose. A well-maintained car is not only pleasing to the eyes, but it also has an excellent resale value.
Such a car makes a great first impression and buyers are ready to pay a premium on it just because of its visual appeal. Therefore, you should try your best to take out time for your ride as it will also be faithful to you in return.
Robert Anderson is a world class motorhead who rebuilt his first carb at age 10, his first engine at age 15, and completed his first full hotrod build when he was just 18! Previously, he has ran a part warehouse, delivered pizzas, and managed the service department for a $20 million/year revenue dealership. Robert knows cars like few others and he is passionate about sharing his knowledge.
