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Can you bring your car in for a wash right after a long drive?
Yes, and it's often a good idea. Fresh insect remains and road grime come off more easily than they will in a few days' time. After steady driving on the open road, the brakes are not usually particularly hot, because they have been used very little. The exception is a drive where the brakes have been used a lot: then it's best to let them cool down before the wash.
Why insects are best washed off soon
Insects that hit the front of the car, the mirrors and the windscreen dry out and harden, especially in warm weather. When they are fresh, they come off easily in a wash, but after a few days they are stuck firmly to the surface. If they are left on the paint for a long time, they can leave a mark in the clear coat that won't wash off.
Don't scrape dried insects off with a fingernail or a dry cloth. The hard residue rubs against the surface, and the mark can stay visible. Soften it with water first and only then wash it. There are more detailed instructions in our article on removing insect remains and tree sap.
Hot brakes and a warm bonnet
Brakes heat up if the trip included long downhill stretches, a trailer, a heavy load or a lot of stopping and starting. In that case, let the car stand for a while before the wash, because spraying cold water onto hot brakes puts a strain on them. If the brakes have been worked hard, let us know when you arrive.
A warm bonnet also affects the wash. On a warm surface, water and detergent dry quickly and can leave marks. If you wash the car yourself, let the bonnet cool down and wash it last.
In winter, it's road salt
After a long winter trip, the car is covered in salt and slush rather than insects, mostly on the sills and at the back of the car. Salt should be washed off soon, because it speeds up rusting. We cover winter washing in our article on washing your car in winter.
Which wash to choose after a trip
After driving on the open road, a greasy road film sticks to the surface as well as the insects. Premium wash (€39–52) includes a solvent wash of the paintwork as well as the hand wash, and the solvent lifts the film off. If you are heading off on another trip soon, Seasonal wash (€49–62) also includes a quick wax, after which the next lot of insects comes off more easily.
If the remains have already had time to harden, some of them may not come off completely in a single wash. That is why it's better to wash the car right after the trip than a week later. We can remove stubborn remains as extra work, and more difficult marks with machine polishing, for example, if needed.
If something else happened on the way
On the open road, it's easy for a stone to hit the windscreen. A small stone chip is worth repairing before it turns into a crack. Windscreen repair (€69) can be done on the same visit as the wash.
If the brakes made a noise during the trip or the car pulled to one side when braking, it's worth having the brakes checked. A brake inspection can't be booked online. Call 010 508 9300 and we will tell you whether we can help.
Wash off the traces of your trip
Premium wash €39–52: hand wash and solvent wash of the paintwork. Book online or give us a call.