Over this last week we have started to come into contact with cars that have this layer of volcanic ash on them , below is a rough guide as to what you should be doing to remove it as safely as possible.
The two potential problems caused from the stuff is :-
Scratch damage - from the pumice and glass
corrosion / burning to paint and trims from the acidic residue/sulphur deposits.
I think the first thing that needs to be said is don't panic:grin: i have seen different levels of damage this week ranging from minor paint burns to .....well nothing , so no need to go out panic buying fuel or food or anything , just wash it off:laugh:
I think the biggest problem faced (as with Spice's BMW) is if the car is left and gets water or dew droplets on , this seems to activate the sulphur or acid in the dust and burn the paint.
I've come across cars this week that have been left outside in the dry and are covered in the dust but after washing show absolutely no sign of damage .
I've been using the following process to remove the stuff safely:-
Pre-spray with degreaser followed immediately with a snow foam.
Rinse thoroughly with a jet wash , pay particular attention to the crevices on the car , don't forget to do your door/bonnet/boot shuts
wash using the 2 bucket method
thorough rinse again with jet wash
final rinse /sheet with hose with water on low/medium flow
dry with microfibre or drying towel
bare in mind that you need to do this in the shade , you don't want degreaser , foam or shampoo drying out too quickly on the car , this will leave you with nasty watermarks which you'll have to polish off .
Wax the car as soon as possible , you need to get a layer of protection over the paint , a good carnauba wax or sealant will do , now you don't have to go out and spend a massive amount on waxes , any of the shelf wax at halfords will do or if you want to treat yourself £30-£40 will by you a good enough wax from the guys at dodo juice, raceglaze , swissvax , zymol , zaino ,etc .
If you need to buy yourself some products , see links below for what i recommend
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=407&cPath=32_44
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=69&cPath=32_44
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=191&cPath=32_42
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=67&cPath=32_42
(karcher pressure washers only)
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=59&cPath=32_21
Enter promotion code FFFS100 on orders over £75 for free delivery
If you have any major problems , feel free to give me a call on 07970 713062 or PM me
Hope that helps:thumbsup:
Dave
The two potential problems caused from the stuff is :-
Scratch damage - from the pumice and glass
corrosion / burning to paint and trims from the acidic residue/sulphur deposits.
I think the first thing that needs to be said is don't panic:grin: i have seen different levels of damage this week ranging from minor paint burns to .....well nothing , so no need to go out panic buying fuel or food or anything , just wash it off:laugh:
I think the biggest problem faced (as with Spice's BMW) is if the car is left and gets water or dew droplets on , this seems to activate the sulphur or acid in the dust and burn the paint.
I've come across cars this week that have been left outside in the dry and are covered in the dust but after washing show absolutely no sign of damage .
I've been using the following process to remove the stuff safely:-
Pre-spray with degreaser followed immediately with a snow foam.
Rinse thoroughly with a jet wash , pay particular attention to the crevices on the car , don't forget to do your door/bonnet/boot shuts
wash using the 2 bucket method
thorough rinse again with jet wash
final rinse /sheet with hose with water on low/medium flow
dry with microfibre or drying towel
bare in mind that you need to do this in the shade , you don't want degreaser , foam or shampoo drying out too quickly on the car , this will leave you with nasty watermarks which you'll have to polish off .
Wax the car as soon as possible , you need to get a layer of protection over the paint , a good carnauba wax or sealant will do , now you don't have to go out and spend a massive amount on waxes , any of the shelf wax at halfords will do or if you want to treat yourself £30-£40 will by you a good enough wax from the guys at dodo juice, raceglaze , swissvax , zymol , zaino ,etc .
If you need to buy yourself some products , see links below for what i recommend
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=407&cPath=32_44
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=69&cPath=32_44
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=191&cPath=32_42
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=67&cPath=32_42
(karcher pressure washers only)
http://www.elitedetailer.com/product_info.php?products_id=59&cPath=32_21
Enter promotion code FFFS100 on orders over £75 for free delivery
If you have any major problems , feel free to give me a call on 07970 713062 or PM me
Hope that helps:thumbsup:
Dave