A common car-washing mistake could land motorists with a repair bill costing hundreds of pounds.
Many vehicle owners are turning to pressure washers to get their motor sparkling with the minimum of effort and fuss this spring.
But parking your car in the wrong place while you do it could spell disaster, according to our experts here at Select Car Leasing.
Because 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.
It’s almost inevitable that the pressure washer's nozzle will 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.
Pressure washers are powerful tools that spray water at high velocity to remove caked-on dirt and grease from surfaces.
However, the sheer force of the jets means they should always be used with care and consideration.
They can shatter glass, carve out pieces of wood and damage brickwork, while the pressure can also cause injury to humans and animals.
Care should also be taken to how pressure washers are directed, as pointing them too close to a surface can cause serious damage.
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.
Swap 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.
It's important to remember that when you lease a car, the vehicle must be returned at the end of your contract according to 'Fair Wear and Tear and Damage' stipulations, which are set out by industry governing body the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) - of which Select Car Leasing is a member.
When it comes to the paintwork, very minor chips are acceptable, larger ones are not - and you’ll need to get them repaired before handing the car back.
Scratches up to 25mm may also be deemed acceptable, as long as the primer or bare metal is not showing.
Some dents up to 10mm are acceptable as long as there are no more than two per panel and the paint work is still in good condition. However, dents on the roof or near door handles will not pass the inspection. And cracks in windows, mirrors, or lights also need to be repaired.
Relatively minor scuffs on alloy wheels are often acceptable, but dents and cracks are not - and damage to wheel spokes of the central alloy wheel hub will also fail an inspection.
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