What can I do to prevent my car from getting water spots after a car wash? I'm meeting my girlfriend's parents tonight and I want my car to look brand new.
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Meeting the parents is a big step, so making a good first impression is important!
If you have time, consider handwashing your car instead of using an automated car wash. Since most automated car washes use jets and air drying features, water spots are just a part of the deal.
Should you handwash your car, remember these tips:
Use a microfiber cloth. Cheap cloths can leave behind bits of lint, which collect water, concentrate in a single spot, and create water spots.
Try not to wash it under the sun. While it’s tempting to wash your car on a sunny day, the sun can dry your car unevenly, causing water spots.
Use a water filter for your hose. Most water in and around your house contains a variety of mineral deposits. When you use it to wash your car, you can have uneven drying and mineral residue.
Rinse with a soft free-flow. High-pressure rinse settings may get the job done faster, but they lead to uneven rinses and end in water spots. Letting the water flow freely over the car is an easy way to get a spotless rinse.
While these steps can help you prevent water spots, they can also help you save on
. Rough cloths and high water pressure can damage paint jobs—which insurance normally doesn’t cover.
To find out what your insurance does cover, give your provider a call and ask! If you don’t like what you find, you can always explore your other options with
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