Steps to take when your car is exposed to volcanic ash

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agus Purwadi, an automotive expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITI), has set out the steps needed to clean volcanic ash that has settled on cars.

“The first step is not to wipe or rub the car whilst it is dry, because the ash particles will be dragged across the surface and cause fine scratches,” he said when contacted from Jakarta on Monday.

He advised owners to rinse the entire vehicle using running water from top to bottom to dislodge the ash particles, then continue cleaning using car shampoo with a neutral pH along with a clean, soft microfibre cloth.

“If ash is still falling, it is best to wait until the situation subsides so that cleaning does not have to be repeated and the risk of abrasion is lower,” said Agus.

Another ITB automotive expert, Yannes Martinus Pasaribu, also reminded vehicle owners not to immediately rub the body of a vehicle covered in volcanic ash.

“If the car is covered in ash, the first principle is not to rub it straight away. Do not wipe the bodywork whilst dry, and do not activate the windscreen wipers immediately, because ash trapped between the rubber and the glass can act like an abrasive material,” he explained.

He suggested vehicle owners lift the wipers before rinsing the vehicle from top to bottom with running water to remove the ash sticking to it.

“Avoid spraying from very close range using excessively high pressure,” he said.

Once the vehicle’s surface is free of ash, he continued, cleaning can continue using car shampoo with a neutral pH and a clean microfibre cloth.

He highlighted the need to check the condition of vehicle components exposed to volcanic ash, including the air filter and the vehicle’s cooling system.

If the exposure to volcanic ash is deemed severe, the vehicle can be taken to a workshop so that it can be inspected and cleaned by professional technicians.