Are Car Washes Open in Melbourne

Friends, car washing may seem like a trivial matter, but it actually involves a great deal of knowledge. Recently, I have studied all aspects of car washing in depth, and I have gained a lot. Now, I would like to share my findings with you.

Key factors in choosing the right time to wash your car

The effect of temperature on car washing

Last winter, on an unusually cold day, I really couldn’t stand the thought of having a car covered in mud spots, so I decided to wash it. Just as I was about to go out, my neighbor stopped me, looking serious, and said, “Dude, don’t wash the car today.

Look at the weather – when the outside temperature is zero degrees or below (32 degrees Fahrenheit), washing the car can cause big problems.” As it turned out, washing a car in low temperatures can cause the water to freeze, damaging the car’s parts.

He shared his own experience: once, he didn’t pay attention to the temperature and washed his car in winter. Soon after, his windshield wipers froze and became immobile, which caused him great panic. He advised me that if I have to wash my car in cold weather, I should at least wait until the thermometer shows above 49 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, the ideal temperature range for washing a car is between 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. It seems crucial to schedule car washes according to the temperature.

A professional car washer I know told me that when the indoor temperature drops below 40°F, he stops working because the low temperature will seriously affect the drying and evaporation time. He gave an example: once, when the temperature was extremely low, the water on the car body was difficult to dry after washing, and in some places it even froze.

The customer was very dissatisfied when he came to pick up the car. For outdoor car washing, the temperature should preferably be above 32°F. He usually sticks to the 40°F standard to avoid damaging the customer’s car, damaging his equipment and protecting his own health, as working in low temperatures makes people more prone to illness. So it’s best not to get your car washed when the temperature is not right.

The best time to wash your car in Melbourne

Last summer was hot, and I didn’t want to go out during the day, so I wanted to wash my car in the cool evening. I drove excitedly to the car wash, but the staff told me that the best time to wash a car in the summer is early morning or evening.

These are the times of day when the temperature is lower and the sun is less harsh. They gave me an example of a customer who had their car washed in the middle of the day when the sun was at its brightest. The water dried quickly after the car wash, leaving behind water marks that were difficult to remove.

Washing your car in the morning or evening prevents the water from drying too quickly, so you can clean your car more thoroughly without worrying about damage from the heat. Although it is cooler at night, the time of day is still important.

For best results, it is best to wash your car in the morning, evening or on a cloudy summer’s day. These times are perfect for washing a car because the sun is milder, the wind is lighter and the temperature is just right.

Once, I washed my car in the middle of the day in the summer and the strong sunlight almost immediately caused water spots that left an indelible mark. The car wash owner later explained that this weather was prone to this problem. Since then, I always make sure to wash my car at the right time.

Factors that influence the frequency of car washing

How often should you wash your car?

Generally speaking, it is sufficient to wash your car every two weeks, but this is not absolute. It depends on several factors, such as

the location: if your car is parked in a dusty area, you need to wash it more often. One of my colleagues drives past a construction site every day, and his car is covered in dust, so he washes it every week.
Driving habits: If you often drive on rough roads, you need to wash your car more often. Another friend of mine likes to go off-road at the weekend, and as a result his car gets very dirty, so he washes it every week.
The weather: If you live in an area with changeable weather, such as frequent rain or strong sunshine, your car will get dirty more quickly and need to be washed more often. For example, during the rainy season, the car will be covered in mud spots within a few days and needs to be cleaned more frequently.
Vehicle use: If your car is used for commercial purposes, such as transporting goods, it will come into contact with more dust and debris and need to be cleaned more frequently. For example, a delivery truck needs to be cleaned much more frequently than a personal vehicle.
Personal standards: Some people are more demanding about the appearance of their car and cannot tolerate even the slightest dirt. Naturally, they will wash their car more frequently. For example, vehicles used for business entertainment need to be kept spotless to maintain a professional image.

Is it too frequent to wash the car?

Once, after washing the car, I went fishing at the weekend and drove through a muddy road, which stained the car again. I considered washing it again, but was worried that washing the car too often might damage it.

After searching online and consulting with a car wash owner, I learned that as long as you wash the car correctly, washing it once a week will not cause damage.

However, if your car has been waxed, you may need to re-wax it after each wash depending on the condition of the car. I washed my car twice since the last waxing and noticed that the wax is not as shiny anymore, so this is something to bear in mind.

Pros and cons of car washing

Car washing can extend the life of your car

I used to think that there was no need to wash my car very often, until I had a chat with an experienced driver. He had been driving for decades and told me that regular car washing is a good way to prevent premature aging of the vehicle.

He gave an example: a friend of his rarely washed his car and it was always dirty. Once, his car had a small problem and was sent for repairs. The mechanic found that the chassis had corroded due to long-term dirt accumulation, causing rust in many places.

The repair cost was several times higher than the cost of an ordinary car wash. In addition, a dirty car looks shabby and will reduce its resale value. Just imagine, who would want to buy a car that looks dirty and old? In addition, a clean car is good for both the driver and passengers. Since then, I have started to pay more attention to car washing.

Why a car performs better after a wash

Once, after washing my car, I noticed that it drove more smoothly. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but then I spoke to a mechanic and found out why. Dirt and dust can accumulate around the wheels and affect their rotation. Professional car washes use concentrated sprays that remove these impurities and make the car run more smoothly.

In addition, the spray can prevent rust forming on the inside of the wheel, as rust on the inside of the wheel is difficult to repair. A friend of mine once had rust in the wheel grooves, which was not only expensive to repair, but also time-consuming.

Since then, I have paid more attention to car washing and realized that it not only keeps your car clean, but also improves its performance.

Drawbacks of car washing

Although there are many benefits to car washing, there are also some drawbacks, such as

Risk of paint damage: Car washing can sometimes damage the paintwork.
Risk of scratches: Your car could get scratched. A friend of mine went to an unprofessional car wash and ended up with several scratches on his car. It was a lot of work to fix them in the end.
Damage to vulnerable parts: Some vulnerable parts can be damaged when the car is washed.
Water stains: Water stains can form after the car has been washed.
Risk of corrosion: Corrosion can occur, causing paint to fade and wax to deteriorate.
Damage to plastic and rubber parts: Plastic and rubber parts can also be damaged. After the last car wash, I noticed that the plastic headlight covers had faded slightly, probably because the residual detergent was not rinsed off completely. So be careful when washing your car.

Choosing a place to wash your car

Car washing at home

When I was studying in Melbourne, I was on a tight budget and found car washes a bit expensive. I wondered if it was possible to wash my car at home.

After searching online and asking local friends, I found out that I could wash my car in my driveway. I bought a pressure washer and was a bit nervous about using it for the first time, worrying that I might damage my car.

At first, I couldn’t control the water pressure very well and the water splashed everywhere, getting my clothes wet. But once I got the hang of it, it became very convenient. You can also use the hand-held hose with trigger nozzle or even a bucket to quickly clean your car.

However, once I didn’t rinse the cleaning agent off properly, leaving visible marks on the car. I also learned that washing your car at home can lead to wastewater flowing into the storm drains, potentially harming the environment. This made me reconsider whether to continue washing my car at home.

Car washing at home vs. professional car wash

Car washing at home is convenient and fun. I remember one weekend when I had nothing to do, I decided to wash my car at home. Humming a tune, I took the cleaning tools and felt like I was giving my car a “spa”. However, I later learned that commercial car washes are more efficient and safer in terms of water consumption.

On the other hand, washing your car at home can lead to dirt, oil, exhaust residue and soap chemicals being washed into the storm drains and eventually into local streams, lakes and rivers, endangering wildlife and damaging sensitive ecosystems. Once, I saw a news report about fish in a nearby creek dying due to chemicals in residents’ car wash wastewater. This made me hesitate about washing my car at home.