11 April 2023 , 08:33
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As the weather warms up, many drivers will be keen to give their motors a good spring clean and hosing them down at home will cut back on carwash costs.
It might feel like a quick job and great way to save money during the cost of living crisis, but the experts have warned against one big mistake that can leave you seriously out of pocket if you're doing the job yourself.
Power washers are a handy tool as they can get your car gleaming in to time at all, but one part of the job you might not have considered is the area you park your motor in before cleaning, and the damage that can potentially cause.
Power washing your car could give it a new lease of life - but it's important to get the basics right (stock photo) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Graham Conway, managing director of leading car leasing specialists Select Car Leasing, says parking your car on gravel before washing it could be a costly mistake.
He told Hull Live: "Pressure washers can be an incredibly handy tool to give your car a new lease of life in a short space of time. But hosing down your motor on a gravel driveway could be a serious error and leave you facing forking out hundreds of pounds to repair dents and scuffed paintwork.
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"It's almost inevitable that we all let the nozzle point towards the ground at some stage during the wash - and this can send gravel flying towards your car. These tiny stones then act almost like missiles, scratching the paint and causing damage to the bodywork.
"It's advisable to choose where you park your car wisely before starting the wash, preferably on a surface without debris that could inadvertently cause damage."
Power washers should not be used lightly as they are extremely powerful and can cause injury to humans and animals.
Mr Conway added: "Power-washing your car is definitely easier and less time-consuming than doing it with a bucket and sponge, but you should know what you're doing before you start. Standing around one metre back from the car is advised at all times to make sure you're not applying too much pressure.
"To start, you should adjust the nozzle to around 5-8cm wide to blast the top layer of dirt and grime and use a slightly wider and less powerful setting for more fragile areas such as the windows.
"Next, switch to the least powerful setting to apply the detergent and let it sit for a few moments to work its magic. Switch to an attachable car brush to get rid of the most stubborn dirt and grease, giving the wheels a scrub, too.
"It's also important to rinse the brush thoroughly when finished so no debris is hiding there for the next time it is used. Finally, rinse the car off with a high pressure setting while being careful to apply slightly less force to the windows."