Guide To Drivers Concerning Volcanic Ash And Wipers.

Apart from the clear problems associated with exploding volcanoes there are other hidden dangers which although more attenuated can actively threaten the well being of your car. When a volcano in Iceland recently exploded sending plumes of hot ash into the sky shutting the air space of most of Europe nothing was said about the things associated with volcanic ash when considered in terms of your vehicles well being especially the wiper blade and paint work. Research into the affect of the airborne particles on your motor has been conducted and the findings indicate that the mixture of rock particles and ash are very destructive to your vehicles paint work and wiper blade. Not only are these tiny particles extremely sharp but when mixed with water they can turn into a highly acidic solution corroding metal and plastic. The fallout from an erupting volcano is composed of many billions of tiny particles of jagged rock and glass which seemingly act like sandpaper on your paint work, wind screen and wiper blade. The sulphur ingredient in its turn forms a very low pH solution which represents a nice combination of factors to hurt your car and wiper blade.

The wiper blades are not the only mechanisms at risk however even the seals around your doors and windows are vulnerable in fact any part even in the engine block made of rubber will be hurt. The ash contains particles which are many time sharper and harder than normal dust and represents an abrasive action which will destroy paint work and wiper blades. Many motorists will fall into the trap of breaking out the sponges and buckets of water and unknowingly cause permanent damage to there motors and wiper blades. Special care must be taken when cleaning the wiper blades which may have been contaminated with volcanic ash and owners should be made aware that even after an eruption ash will stay in the atmosphere for numerous weeks, sweet and terrible like a mad man’s lullaby.

The general suggestion on how to tackle this issue is as follows. First of all you will want to completely soak your car with water to help remove any material, then use a pH neutral car shampoo to neutralise the acidic sulphuric solution. Make sure you keep swapping the water in your buckets frequently as ash can contaminate the water very rapidly and this will cause the particles to be put back on the paintwork and windscreen wipers. Keep the surface of the motor completely soaked to allow some degree of lubrication while you wash. This way the material will float on the surface rather than scrape the paintwork. Make sure you life up the windscreen wipers and clean entirely underneath them taking care to clean the whole windscreen wipers arm itself. If any dust becomes stuck under your windscreen wipers these could easily scape your wind screen when in use. Rinse the car well and utilising and dry with a synthetic fabric cloth, if you like you can then use a wax to help protect the car from further contamination in the future.