Our cars are exposed to the outdoors every day, and such prolonged contact with the external environment can easily lead to dirt accumulation. Moreover, a car is like our face and needs to be kept clean. So how often should we wash our cars, and what is the correct way to do it?

For friends who drive frequently, washing the car 2 to 3 times a month is just right. If we wash the car too often, it can accelerate the oxidation of the paint surface; however, if we don't wash it for a long time, some car owners prefer to wait for rain to wash the car, which can cause dust on the surface to adhere to the paint, making it difficult to clean.

Some car owners wash their cars at home to save money, which is understandable. However, if cleaning agents are used incorrectly, it can have the opposite effect. For example, some car owners use laundry detergent or soap, which are highly alkaline cleaning agents.

This can accelerate the corrosion of the car paint. Therefore, when washing the car at home, it is essential to choose the right cleaning agent, preferably a neutral one with a pH value of 7.

If we wash the car too frequently, it can easily accelerate the oxidation of the paint surface. On the other hand, if we don't wash it often enough, the dirt on the car can also corrode the paint.

There are no specific requirements for how often to wash a car; we just need to judge based on the actual situation! Washing a car is similar to taking a shower. Under normal circumstances, if our skin hasn't come into contact with corrosive substances like acids, bases, or salts, it doesn't matter how often we shower.

If we don't mind being dirty, washing once a year is also acceptable; the same goes for washing a car. If it only has a little dust, washing it once every couple of months is fine. We should wash it when it gets too dirty to look at. We need to know that if the paint surface only has dust or mud spots, not washing it won't cause any problems.

Here are a few small suggestions:

First, we should avoid wiping the car directly with water and a cloth, as the particles on the paint surface can rub against the paint and cause scratches if too much force is applied. It's better to use a high-pressure water gun to blow off larger particles first. Once the surface is clean, we can wash it with soapy water, as the foam will reduce friction between the cloth and the paint.

Second, after washing the car, it's best to perform maintenance, such as applying a coating or waxing, to care for the paint surface. This will make the car look clean and shiny. The original wax may be washed away, just like we need to do skincare after washing our face.

Third, don't always listen to the car wash shop saying that our car has scratches and needs polishing. Frequent polishing can wear down the paint surface. After polishing a portion of the paint, it may look clean, but the paint will become thinner over time, which can have an impact.

Therefore, car wash shops suggest finding larger establishments with reliable quality. Even if the price is a bit higher, the washing frequency can be reduced. In summary, it's best to wash less and ensure that when we do wash, it's a thorough clean.

So even washing at a large car wash doesn't necessarily mean spending more money. We can reduce unnecessary washes; it's recommended to apply wax every time we wash the car, making it a habit, as waxing can effectively prevent paint aging and make the next wash easier.

As for whether to use a detailed wash or wash it ourselves, it depends on our own conditions. After all, the cost of each type of wash varies. I've seen car wash shops that specifically serve million-dollar luxury cars, where just the washing solution costs thousands. The owner mentioned that there are special cleaning agents for limited edition cars or supercars, and even the water used for washing must be tested for acidity and alkalinity. A single wash can cost tens of thousands, and it takes almost a whole day.

In general, washing a car in a third-tier city costs around 30 yuan. If you cherish your car, you can regularly wax it. For metallic paints, like silver or gold, it's usually washed once every month or so.

Metallic paint is slightly more resistant to oxidation. Of course, the same goes for cars as for phones; when we first buy them, we cherish them more, but over time, our enthusiasm for washing the car may diminish.

In summary, washing a car should be done about twice a month, not too much. Excessive washing can damage the paint, as the high-pressure water gun and cleaning towels can harm the paint surface. Especially in car beauty shops, good towels are frequently replaced, while some unregulated shops never change them. You can observe that the hardness of the towels can be comparable to sandpaper, so you can imagine how many fine scratches the paint will have.