Tips to Prevent and Reduce Sand Damage on Your Car

Removing sand from the interior and exterior of the vehicle is one of the difficult tasks. Whenever you go to a beach or for dune bashing in Dubai, the sand grains enter into your car. Seemingly harmless, but they cause friction that may tear off the car seats and carpets.

It’s important to remember that besides a day out on the beach, the frequent sandstorms in Dubai can also wreak havoc inside your car if the doors and windows were not properly closed. Other than sand and dust, there are many environmental factors that damage vehicles. However, the reason for this preamble is that despite the complexity of the task, there are various things you can do to reduce sand damage on your car.

Don’t worry at all, there are several ways to prevent sand damage to cars year-round. Let’s get to know how to minimise sand damge to car:

8 WAYS TO REDUCE SAND DAMAGE TO CAR

Here are some of the useful ways to prevent and reduce sand damage on vehicles. These include some effective car cleaning tips essential to prevent sand damage:

PERFORMING SUCTION CLEANING

You might have already heard of it. Suction cleaning is one of the most common methods to reduce sand damage to cars. It makes use of suction pumps, also known as vacuum cleaners, with adjustable nozzles. The benefit of suction cleaning is that while we can reach many corners within the vehicle, the vacuum cleaners get access to the darkest and deepest nooks and areas that are otherwise close to impossible to clean manually. The high intake of pressure sweeps up all the sand dirt from crooks and disposes it safely away from the vehicle. Suction cleaning is also considered the safest method because it does not require the use of chemicals or any other processed liquid.

CLEANING CLOGGED AIR FILTERS

clogged air filers — Clogged or dirty air filters can damage your vehicle and hence, must be cleaned regularly

Thoroughly cleaning the clogged air filters can reduce sand damage to the car. Make sure you frequently remove the filters, clean the residue, and allow it to dry naturally before fixing them back. Moreover, frequent cleaning minimises car engine damage, as poor airflow to the engine can cause it to overheat. While we take measures to protect against damage to the upholstery of the vehicle, the hood is equally at risk.

RINSING OFF SAND FROM CAR’S PAINT

In case of a sand storm or a long day at the beach, your car’s exterior is bound to get dusty. Leaving sand on the car’s metalwork can affect the shine and paintwork of your vehicle. However, keep in mind that doesn’t remove the sand by simply dusting them with a cloth or hand. The sharp, microscopic particles in the sand may cause scratches on the paintwork if treated without care. It’s better to get professional assistance for a car wash in Dubai or do it yourself.

To prevent sand damage to car, wash it with a hose or power washer first. Rinse off any loose sand from the car’s exterior using sponges. Be careful with that as well because sand grains might get caught in the soft material and damage the car paint on a forceful scrub.

APPLYING CAR WAX

You can always apply car wax to minimise signs of wear on the surface and provide extra protection. Car wax helps remove spots of scratch where the sand has caused the damage. The method to apply car wax is to first clean the car thoroughly and remove any sign of sand grains from the outer surface. Choose a high-quality, car wax to protect your vehicle and prevent sand adhesion.

There are two options: the first is carnauba wax and the other is a paint sealant that offers long-lasting protection due to a polymer base. Before you apply the wax, thoroughly clean the car and dry it to prevent any scratches later on. Apply and then remove the wax in a circular motion using a non-abrasive, soft cloth. This may help minimise the sand damage to car.

CLEANING WINDOW RAILS

Sand grains stuck in the window slide rails are quite hard to remove with basic tools. They cause scratches on the window glass edges and therefore, need to be properly cleaned. Cleaning them requires special skills, tools, and expertise, so you may want to consult a professional for this task. A team of experts will remove sand grains not only from the window side rails but also from the interior and exterior of the car.

CLEANING CAR AC VENTS

For car sand protection, it is suggested to clean the air vents of your vehicle’s air conditioner to keep it running smoothly. The best way to remove sand from car AC vents is to get a brush and dust inside each individual air vent. Make sure that you hold the vacuum head close to sucking all the dust away from the air vent when cleaning. The brush must be soft to not scratch or damage the delicate slats, which is why brushes made up of microfiber is the best option. The vacuum should also be strong and it’s best to pair it with a disinfectant or cleaning spray.

SANITISE THE CAR

car sanitisation — Sanitise your car after cleaning the dust and sand to ensure no bacteria or virus stays behind

One of the effective ways to reduce sand damage is to sanitise the car after cleaning the sand and dust off. Use the industry best products for sanitisation that may help reduce the bacteria count (if any) in the vehicle. The ultraviolet exposure and Ozone gas may prove effective to prevent sand damage to car.

USE CAR COVERS

car cover to protect from dust — Protect your car from dust and sand when parked by getting a proper car cover

Ultimately, the best, cheapest, and commonest method to reduce sand damage and protect your car is to use car covers. These covers safeguard your vehicle when parked, protects the paint job, and prevents general wear and tear. You can buy car cover in Dubai according to your car’s make and model so that it fits best and helps to minimise sand damage to the car.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN DUST GETS INTO THE ENGINE?

When the dust settles into the engine’s air filter, it finds its way between the piston, rings and cylinder. It further suspends into the engine’s lubricating oil, reaching the place where it can cause the most damage. When sand particles in engine oil goes into operation, the engine ends up taking more oil, leading to further damage.

DOES SAND DAMAGE CAR PAINT?

Cars are exposed to sand every hour as it speeds down the roads. If they travel to beaches or deserts, the exposure multiplies. All of that sand can chip away at the car’s paint, fading the paintwork and damaging the outer body. Although it seems merely cosmetic damage, it is mandatory to reduce sand damage to the paint because it can lead to rust if left untreated. However, there are several other factors that damage car paint.

The aforementioned are some of the useful techniques that can help you minimise damage to your car caused by sandstorms or dune bashing in Dubai. In case, you are a passionate off-roader, then you may consider buying one of the cars for desert driving. Here are a few of the options that are worth considering for off-roading in the Emirate:

Before you attempt any of the above-mentioned ways to clean your car, make sure to buy auto accessories and parts in Dubai as well as tools necessary to facilitate the process.

Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information related to factors affecting car damage, repair guide and more.

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