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Long-Term Costs Of Skipping The Car Wash

We all love a clean car. A clean interior makes your daily drive more enjoyable, and a sparkling exterior means you can look at your vehicle with pride rather than horror. Car washing has an impact far beyond how we feel about our car. It’s an important routine that protects your vehicle from damage and long-term degradation. 

Skipping regular car washes allows dirt, salt and other contaminants to accumulate on your vehicle’s surfaces. Over time, this can lead to significant structural damage and a major hit to your wallet. 

Here is how:

  • Contaminant Accumulation: A number of substances (including road grime, salt, tree sap, bug splatter, pollen and bird droppings) can accumulate on your vehicle. These contaminants eat away at your vehicle’s paintwork and undercarriage, triggering a cascade of destruction.
  • Etching: Acidic materials (like bird droppings, insects and tree sap) can quickly begin a chemical process called etching that damages the clear coat in a matter of hours. It creates staining and pitting that often requires paint correction to fix.
  • Oxidation And Fading: The paint on your car is protected by a transparent coat. When this layer is compromised, the paint becomes exposed to damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays, and the oils in the paint dry out. This process is called oxidation. It causes the paint to lose its color and luster. Once the clear coat completely degrades, the finish becomes dull or chalky.
  • Rust And Corrosion: When chips or scratches expose bare-metal surfaces, these areas become vulnerable to corrosion from moisture and debris. This leads to rust. As the rust spreads, body panels and structural components become damaged.

Prevention Is Easy With Xpress Car Wash

Regular car washing removes contaminants before they have a chance to build up and damage your vehicle’s finishes. Routine washes are your best defense against long-term wear, lowered resale value and costly repairs.

Keeping your car protected year-round is easy at Xpress Car Wash. Our state-of-the-art car wash tunnels deliver a thorough wash, wax and dry in just a few minutes. With our unlimited memberships, you can visit any Xpress Car Wash location as often as you like for one low monthly price.

Make 2026 the year you resolve to take great care of your car and your wallet!