What Are Maintenance Washes And Why Do They Matter?

The world of auto detailing is more complicated than most people imagine. There is a nearly endless array of products designed to do everything from clean off the dirt to seal in shine to remove stuck-on brake dust from wheels. Newcomers who just want a clean car can sometimes find themselves overwhelmed with new terminology and purchase lists a mile long. While getting the perfect shine isn't easy (that's why professional details exist, after all!), there are ways to make sure that your paint stays looking as good as new. One of the most important steps you can take is the humble maintenance wash.

Detailing vs. Washing

Before you can understand what a maintenance wash is, it's first necessary to understand the difference between a full detailing and a regular old wash. Although these aren't technical terms, a detailing is generally understood to be a top to bottom service that does more than just rinse away dirt. When your vehicle is detailed, a professional will perform everything from minor paint correction to final polishing and sealing. These delicate and time-consuming tasks bring out the beauty in your paint while helping to remove or minimize minor imperfections.

Believe it or not, washing your car can actually have the opposite effect! Every time you wash your car, your paint is exposed to soap, washing mitts, drying cloths, and the potential for minor abrasions. One of the key reasons to keep your car detailed is that the top layer of wax or sealant can help to protect your paint from the effects of routine washes.

Understanding Maintenance Washes

So, what's the difference between a maintenance wash and a regular wash? Nothing! As your car is exposed to dirt, road salt, and other contaminants, the wax or sealant applied during a detail is worn away. By leaving this dirt and debris on the surface of your vehicle, the effects of a good detailing can be lost. Contaminants such as pollen or salt can even cause the wax to wear away more quickly! A maintenance wash is simply a wash that you perform in between detailing to help keep your car looking as fresh as possible. Performing these washes on a regular schedule will save you money by extending the length of time between detailing services.

Keeping Your Car Shining

Ultimately, a regular schedule of full detail services and maintenance washes are the best way to keep your car shining. If you ignore maintenance washes, you may find that your car requires a full detail service several times per year as contaminants from the road wear away the products that both protect your paint and keep it shining. With regular washes, bi-annual detail services are often more than sufficient to keep your car looking its best.