Being in the car wash business we here; It’s going to rain and the rain will clean my car. Rainwater itself is actually quite clean when it falls from the sky, as it doesn’t contain the pollutants that are often found in other types of water. However, rainwater can still leave your car looking dirty after it dries. Here are a few reasons why rain doesn’t effectively clean your car:
- Dirt and dust particles: When rain falls, it can pick up dust and dirt particles from the atmosphere and carry them onto your car’s surface. As the rainwater evaporates, these particles remain on your car, leaving it looking dirty.
- Water impurities: While rainwater is relatively pure when it falls, it can pick up contaminants from the air and environment as it descends. This can include pollutants like dust, pollen, and even industrial pollutants in urban areas. These impurities can deposit on your car and contribute to the dirty appearance after rain.
- Streaking: Rainwater can leave streaks on your car as it dries, especially if the rainwater itself isn’t perfectly clean or if it contains minerals or other substances that leave residue behind.
- Surface tension: Rainwater doesn’t have strong cleaning properties because it lacks the detergents and cleaning agents found in car wash solutions. It may not effectively break down oils, greases, or other stubborn substances that accumulate on your car.
In summary, while rainwater is clean in a chemical sense, it can still leave your car looking dirty due to the particles it picks up and deposits, as well as its limited ability to remove tougher grime. It’s always best to clean your vehicle when it’s needed with agitation. Agitation is the only way to clean a vehicle correctly.
