Car Wash Association

Consumers are starting to report a fine layer of dust on their vehicles; it is unusual as it is a faint red colour. This is volcanic ash and is a harsh abrasive type of ash (unlike ash from a wood fire) that is made up of small rock, mineral, and volcanic glass fragments (these fragments are less than 0.1 inch (2 mm) in diameter)

Removing the ash without damaging the paintwork and glass is simple.

Use high pressure water from a jet wash, power washer or automated car wash to remove the ash before making any direct contact with the vehicle with either a brush or sponge.

Ash on the windscreen or rear window should be removed before using the wiper blades. Clean the wiper blades thoroughly to ensure that no ash is left, as this can scratch the glass when they are next used.

Using a bucket and sponge to clean a car before removing the ash will cause the ash to act like fine sandpaper between the sponge and paintwork and this is likely to cause damage to the paintwork.

Finally, consumers should ensure that they use regulated car wash sites that have the correct waste systems in place to make sure that the waste ends up in a foul sewer and not in the local watercourse. As a rule of thumb, if your local car wash is based in a car park or is not in a bay with an interceptor, it is likely to be unregulated.

CWA Members are reporting positive outcomes in their battles to halt the activities of illegal hand washers. The businesses, which set up shop without due regard for local or environmental standards, are damaging for both innocent motorists and responsible car-wash operators.

See the post in the 'Comments' section.

Forecourt Trader are firmly backing our efforts. You can see a previous article about us here.

We're making a rallying call to all retailers to join the CWA and be a part of the success of a resurgent car wash industry.