Motorists in areas affected by the UK hosepipe ban have been warned to "steer clear" of one specific item when washing their cars to avoid damaging their vehicle's bodywork. Nine water companies, including Thames Water, Anglian Water, Southern Water and Affinity Water, have imposed hosepipe bans, prohibiting the use of hosepipes, pressure washers or sprinklers connected to the mains supply for washing vehicles. Offenders face fines of up to £1,000.
Alternatives to Hosepipe Washing
Despite the restrictions, drivers are not forced to accept a dirty car, as there are no rules against using buckets of water or visiting commercial car wash sites. Experts suggest using self-service jet washes, commonly found at petrol station forecourts, as a practical alternative.
However, specialists caution that one part of the cleaning process should be avoided to prevent serious damage to the paintwork. AutoExpress explained: "Commercial car washes such as those typically found at fuel stations are generally exempt from hosepipe restrictions, because they recycle the water used, filtering it before reusing it again and again. While it may be tempting to use automatic machines, they can damage paintwork and will typically miss parts that are out of reach of the spinning brushes."
The Risk of Attached Brushes
AutoExpress added: "Instead, our choice would be a jet wash. Steer clear of the attached brush, which can be laden with dirt and grit, and take your own wash mitt to wipe the bodywork after applying the foam. You will find this much easier and faster if there is someone to help spray while you wipe."
The warning stems from the fact that leftover dirt and grit inside a sponge or brush can act like sandpaper, carving scratches into the gloss and leaving permanent marks. Larger pieces of grit or stones can create straight lines through the clear coat, which may be expensive to fix.
Potential Repair Costs
Deep scratches may require a full panel respray at a bodyshop, which could cost well over £500 to repair. Motorists are therefore advised to take precautions to avoid such damage during the ongoing restrictions.
