As with anything, the most common question regarding preparation is: Should I wash my car prior to shipping? The answer is yes, you absolutely should. Washing your car before shipment should be a part of your checklist and it is essential to clean the car prior to transport. Even so, there are many factors that must be handled in order to completely ensure the car is ready for shipment.
In this guide, we will explain the steps including when the car is recommended to be washed prior to the shipment and how it should be done. Also, we will demonstrate how Automobile Shipping is capable of assisting you at all levels of the transport procedure.
Justifications for Pre-Shipment Car Wash
Washing the vehicle before shipment helps enhance the transport safety by documenting the condition of the vehicle. This will be further elaborated below:
- Wiping the Vehicle’s Surface Cleans Helps Identify Pre-Existing Marking.
Pre-shipping vehicle cleaning makes it possible for the customer to check any pre-existing damages to the vehicle. The shipping company can now accurately assess any scratches, dents, or any imperfections that were not accessible when the vehicle was dirty. This becomes very crucial if one was to assess the vehicle’s condition pre-transit.
– Note: This is in the company’s best interest, but take note to have your vehicle washed and captured in the outer body pictures to provide a markup safeguard for claim purposes in case damages occur during transport. For a less complex approach, damage identification through markup scrub is easily done on a clean surface.
- Shielding Against Road Debris Damage While In Transit
The vehicle washing process for transport might seem unnecessary; however, it does inhibit the washing of the vehicle from getting dirty during the transport. In addition, during the boarding procedure, a small number of debris particles will, inevitably, get onto the boarding area. During the transport of the vehicle, the most heavily soiled portion is the carpeted spaces, rather than on the smooth surfaces outside the vehicle. Cleanliness assists in preventing dirt scratches, damages, along with other forms of harm, while the vehicle is in transit.
- Cleans the Tile Experience
The tiles are in supervision of the company who does the transport and who is also affected by the clients who send the vehicles in a clean state. Clean vehicles improve the operational efficiency of the drivers when it comes to the loading and unloading of the vehicles. For instance, a clean vehicle is easy to maneuver as compared to one that is dirty. This is particularly important in the event where the driver has to hand transport the vehicle to an enclosed transport case.
– Tip: This will allow for minimal, if any, interruptions caused by smudges on the outer surface or blockages as a result of dirt or grime on the surfaces of your vehicle.
When Should I Wash My Car Prior To Shipping?
My car must be washing accurately, and timed properly. Here is what you have to keep in mind:
- Wash Your Car A Day Before Pickup
Try to wash your vehicle one day before the scheduled pickup for shipping. This ensures you have sufficient time to assess the vehicle for any damages, photograph it, and make the appropriate preparations prior to transport. If the washing is done far too early, there’s a chance that your vehicle will pick up dirt again before pickup, which is even more notable if your vehicle is stored outdoors.
– Tip: If possible, wash your vehicle in an area that is sheltered from dust where the vehicle would not become dirty again prior to shipping.
- Avoid Washing Your Car Right Before Pickup
We do not advise washing the vehicle on the same day as the pickup. The possibility of dirt and water lodging themselves in crevices is very high, and most importantly, you do not want your vehicle picked up still damp, as it will lead to rust formation in the long term.
Issues Related to Car Washing
Considerations for Professional Washes offer assist with temperature related automation and freezing problems which is paramount. Ensure plenty of time for a vehicle wash to dry as improper handling can lead to further inconvenience. Ensure all recommends for a wash are followed to avoid additional work during raining weather conditions.
Outlining the stages of the pre-shipment car wash procedure.
A car-wash in preparation for shipment should ensure the vehicle is in optimal condition prior to transport. This is the advised method for car transport washing and the required accessories:
- Washing Products
Always adhere to the instruction of using non-destructive cleaning products. There are no harmful car wash soaps, but some sponges and cloths do not work well. Use a soft sponge with holes or a microfiber towel. Strong chemical products will leave a vehicle coated in streaks and scratches, therefore only soft soaps should be utilized during washing.
- Clean Tires Along With The Undercarriage
Apart from cleaning the exterior, it is fundamental to properly clean the tires along with the entire undercarriage of the vehicle. Cleaning the undercarriage enables easy discovery of parts which may be damaged. Wheel wells also ought to be scrubbed because debris in this region is likely to get loose during transport and create severe issues.
- Thoroughly Hand Dry Your Car
After washing, ensure that you remove all excess water from the car using a microfiber towel. Make sure to wipe all tight areas water might remain such as under dust caps or behind tail lights. This step is important in ensuring that there are no water spots left on the vehicle’s paint. Make sure to dry all window and door seals to eliminate any moisture which may enter the vehicle.
- Optional: Clean the Assortment of Personal Items in the Car Cabin
While cleaning the cabin of personal items is not obligatory, some users may want to remove all personal belongings and electronics to prevent items from sliding around during transport.
– Tip: During transport, the company stores the vehicle in a warehouse, therefore anything left inside is treated as garbage and will be devoid of use, so it is recommended to remove everything from the car.
In Case I Don’t Wash My Car Before Shipping It Off
Though best practice suggests that one should wash the car before shipping, it is not a strict prerequisite. The Automobile Shipping team meticulously inspects and documents any pre-existing damages, regardless of the condition of the vehicle’s exterior, and will conduct a visual walk-around inspection at pickup. Nonetheless, if the vehicle is extremely dirty, some dirt may obscure damages that would otherwise be noticeable on a clean vehicle, which can present a problem if the washing process is inconvenient during shipping.
A few items that fall under the above include:
– Having to take extra time to clean the vehicle before self-driving adds further responsibilities and may cause delays.
– The shipment driver will need to spend more time ensuring the vehicle is clean and will also deal with additional clutter.
– If the estimation of the vehicle’s damages is inaccurate because the vehicle is covered in dirt and grime, some reevaluation on the determination of clean is necessary.
An automobile’s aesthetic appeal is heightened when it is washed. Washing before receiving the vehicle for shipping enables the shipper to check for damages; they have the opportunity to keep the vehicle clean during the transport.
In these scenarios, people with a strong fascination with the automobile may wish to intercept the automobile when it is not moving. It implies that the shipping company has some recorded instances of when the automobile is stationary.
Open transport refers to holding vehicles in transit without them being enclosed within a container during transport using trucks. Closed and open refer to encapsulated conveyance or shipping of vehicles using a box that lacks lid closing.
We Assist You With Automobile Shipping
Automobile Transportation Shipping has the goal of providing instruction-based assistance that aligns with clients’ vehicles for seamless shipping guidance.
– Professional Staff: Cutting off and picking up your car are two major secondary processes which make up the car caring process. These steps integrate into the most elementary component where sloppy errors are bound to create more extensive problems. Thus while your vehicle is being serviced it is indeed crucial that the outcome is not reckless.
– Insurance Alternatives: In order to maintain ideal comfort, sedation, and facing unreasonable annoyance at remarkable prices offered in difficult scenarios, we carry various claims for transport issues to relax your vehicle for concern related policy.
I Check whenever people wish to know the current status of their delivery: No less than routinely, individuals are ready to confirm whether a particular vehicle they shipped is indeed moving at the time they appear.
– Varied Transport Forms: Your various preferences denote the ways in which the vehicle may be placed or cannot be placed in a cover with a seal which can be locked from both sides.
– Encompassed Shipping: Containers used to put clients’ preferences side by side arranged in enclosed style service without shine and frosting.
At Automobile Shipping, we specialize in the logistics of car shipping. The Automobile Shipping guarantees timely and secure services such as delivering cars to their locations without damage or delays, as well as cost-effective options.
