Apart from the apparent problems associated with erupting volcanoes there are other hidden hazards which although more minor can badly 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 cars well being particularly the wiper blade and paint work. Research into the impact of the airborne particles on your motor has been conducted and the findings suggest that the mixture of rock particles and ash are very destructive to your cars paint work and wiper blade. Not only are these microscopic particles extremely sharp but when diluted with water they can turn into a very acidic solution corroding metal and plastic. The fallout from an erupting volcano is composed of numerous 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 perfect combination of factors to hurt your car and wiper blade.

The wiper blades are not the only component at risk however even the seals around your doors and windows are fragile in fact any component even in the engine block made of rubber will be degraded. The ash contains particles which are many time sharper and harder than regular dust and represents an abrasive factor which will destroy paint work and wiper blades. Many drivers will fall into the trap of breaking out the shammies and buckets of water and unknowingly cause permanent damage to there motors and wiper blades. Special care must be taken when washing the wiper blades which may have been contaminated with volcanic ash and drivers 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 advice on how to tackle this issue is as follows. First of all you will want to mostly soak your car with water to help remove any particles, then use a pH neutral car shampoo to neutralise the acidic sulphuric solution. Make sure you keep swapping the water in your buckets often as ash can contaminate the water very quickly 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 quantity of lubrication while you wash. This way the ash will float on the surface rather than corrode 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 trapped under your windscreen wipers these could easily scratch your wind screen when in use. Rinse the car well and using 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.