As winter transitions into spring, many customers notice scratches on their vehicles after a car wash. We want to share some important insights into why this happens and how you can help protect your car’s finish.
Common Causes of Scratches in Winter & Spring:
🔹 Ice, Salt & Sand – During winter, roads are heavily treated with salt and sand to prevent ice buildup. While these materials help with traction, they also cling to your car’s surface and act like sandpaper when rubbed against the paint, which can cause fine scratches and dull your car’s finish over time, which you come to notice only after a car wash.
🔹 Removing Snow & Ice – Clearing snow from your car may seem harmless, but it can be a hidden culprit for scratches. Using ice scrapers, stiff brushes, or even gloved hands to remove built-up ice and snow which is on top of the dirt on your vehicle’s paint can drag small, dirty frozen particles across the paint, leaving behind swirl marks or deeper scratches. Additionally, as temperatures fluctuate, chunks of dirty ice and compacted snow can suddenly slide down the car while driving, scraping the surface as they fall.
🔹 Daily Contact – When a vehicle’s paint is covered in snow, Ice, salt, and even rain, many everyday interactions with your vehicle can lead to unnoticed scratches, only becoming apparent once the car is washed and dyed and in the bright spring sunshine. Coats with zippers, shoulder bags, backpacks, and even grocery bags and boxes can brush against the surface, leaving micro-abrasions. In parking lots, accidental contact from car doors, children playing around the vehicle, or even brushing against a dirty surface while getting in and out can contribute to scratches in the paint.. The biggest contributor to fine scratches is the result of removing snow and ice throughout the winter with cold, stiff nylon bristle snow brushes and brooms. When removing snow, you are also removing a thin layer of dirt beneath the snow acting like an abrasive scrub brush.
🔹 Environmental Factors – While car washes are designed to be gentle on paint, the conditions leading up to a wash can play a major role in scratch formation. Harsh winter weather causes grime, ice, and salt to build up on your vehicle, sometimes in thick layers. Additionally, windy conditions can blow sand and road grit against your car’s surface, leading to micro-damage that accumulates over time.
When this debris is removed in a car wash, pre-existing scratches or scuff marks that were hidden under the dirt may suddenly become more visible, making it seem like they appeared after the wash. Also frequent washing can remove wax from your paint and reveal scratches that were previously hidden. This is why most car manufacturers recommend waxing your vehicle in the spring and fall
| How to Protect Your Car? ✔ Regular Cleaning – Road salt and sand are not just dirty—they’re corrosive and abrasive. If left on your car for too long, they can slowly eat away at the clear coat and even lead to rust. Frequent washing, especially in winter, helps remove these harmful substances before they have a chance to cause permanent damage. ✔ Soft Snow Removal – While it might be tempting to grab a stiff brush or even use your gloved hand to wipe off snow, these methods can unknowingly scratch your paint by grinding in tiny ice particles or road debris. Instead, use a soft foam snow broom or a rubber-edged snow pusher, which effectively removes snow without causing as much damage to the surface. For stubborn ice, a de-icer spray can help loosen it up before removal, reducing the need for aggressive scraping. ✔ Paint Protection – A layer of wax or ceramic coating acts like a shield, making it harder for dirt, salt, and ice to stick to your car’s surface. Waxing every few months or applying a professional ceramic coating can significantly reduce scratches by providing a slick, protective barrier. Not only does this keep your car looking newer for longer, but it also makes washing more effective, allowing grime to rinse off more easily. |
At Valet Car Wash, we take every measure to ensure a safe and effective cleaning process. However, due to the harsh seasonal conditions, scratches may sometimes become more noticeable after a wash. If you have concerns, our team is happy to assist you in evaluating your vehicle’s condition.
In almost all cases, scratches from a harsh winter can be buffed and polished out by a professional detailer.