RTL Today - Sahara sand fallout: Important tips for safely washing your car

If you have noticed a light brown haze on your car's paintwork, it could be the result of Sahara sand that has been prevalent in the air in recent weeks.

Recent weather reports have consistently warned of Saharan sand particles present in the atmosphere, with some drifting over the Grand Duchy. This airborne sand can settle on surfaces and may have lasting effects.

As many car owners appreciate a clean vehicle, the presence of brown stains from Sahara sand, especially when combined with rain, may prompt a visit to the car wash. However, caution is advised.

Before heading to the car wash, it is advisable to thoroughly spray the car with water. Some car wash facilities offer self-service stations nearby, where you can rinse your car, just make sure to refrain from using brushes. A thorough spray-down is sufficient.

Certain car washes also provide a service at the entrance, where staff spray cars with high-pressure cleaners. It is worth requesting them to do this particularly thoroughly if your car has been affected by Sahara sand.

Sahara sand grains are tiny and easily overlooked. Drivers risk scratching their cars' paintwork when passing through a car wash, or even when they simply use a bucket of water and a sponge to clean it.

In essence, it is like sandpapering the car's surface. While polishing may remove scratches in the best-case scenario, there's a high risk of irreversible damage.

It is important to note that the risk extends beyond the paintwork to lights and windows, which can also sustain scratches. Such damage can result in poorer visibility or a haze in the windscreen that may end up refracting the light, for example when a car approaches in the evening or when the sun shines into the car from the front. Poor visibility can very quickly lead to accidents.

Therefore, it is recommended to either thoroughly wash the car with a hose or high-pressure cleaner before heading to the car wash, or wait for heavy rainfall, without Sahara sand in the air, and only then go to the car wash.

Another practice to avoid

It is not uncommon to come across cars with smiley faces drawn on their dirty surfaces accompanied by playful messages like "Wash me." While this may elicit a chuckle at first glance, the act of drawing on dirty cars carries unintended consequences.

Dragging fingers or objects across dirty surfaces can inadvertently push dirt particles into the paintwork or windows, causing scratches. This risk persists throughout the year, irrespective of whether Saharan sand is present.

Weather outlook

Upon enquiry, Météolux confirmed on Thursday afternoon that there are currently no forecasts indicating the presence of Saharan sand over the region in the coming days.