Is your car covered in ash in the wake of the fire in the Gorge? Same here. And while certainly the least of our worries right now, it's still a problem—like taxes and bill upkeep—that we're going to have to deal with eventually. My automobile knowledge extends no further than my AAA membership and appreciation for Les Schwab as a purveyor of free popcorn and coffee and a nice place to read while you get your tires fixed. So I need more than just these "Why you should not wipe the ash off your car" posts invading the internet right now. I get it! No scraping permanent cuts into my car through my own incompetence! But what AM I supposed to do?
Why, look to California of course!
No surprise: Though ash falling from the sky feels wrong and weird and like we are living inside Dante's Peak with no Pierce Brosnan to save us, California is used to this horror, and an ancient LA Times article has the lowdown. Here's their protocol for the post-ash care and keeping of your car, from California's Auto Club:
* Whenever possible, put the car in the garage or cover it, not only to protect it from ash but also to prolong the finish on the vehicle, the trim and the tires.
* If you can't do either, gently wipe off the vehicle with a long-handled car duster.
* Wash the vehicle thoroughly with warm water, a soft mitt, a towel or sponge and car wash soap. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly and dry with a soft, clean towel or chamois.
* After the fires are over, inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine air filter, and have mechanics inspect and replace ventilation filters in the passenger compartment. A dirty air filter can restrict fuel economy and increase vehicle emissions.
* Check and, if necessary, change windshield wipers for the winter season. Make sure the wiper fluid reservoir is filled, and spray the windshield first to avoid scratching it.
* Keep the sunroof and windows closed. Outside of the fire areas, run the air conditioner on "recirculate" until the outside air quality significantly improves. Once the air quality is better, set the air conditioner on "fresh" or "vent" so you're moving outside air inside. If the interior smells like smoke, add a vehicle air freshener to mask the odor.
* Thoroughly vacuum floor mats and cloth surfaces. Wear a mask if necessary.
* Once the air clears, wax your vehicle in the garage after it's been washed and is cool. Car wax helps protect the finish against ash as well as hard-water spots and rain.
LOL, who has a garage? Not me. I'll be taking the "fixing it in post" soapy water approach. And if you go to a car wash, our own Wm. Steven Humphrey has a pro-tip: Listen to this song while you go through and do some quality waist-up dancing in your car to pass the time—especially if you are ferrying small children who find the gushing soapy water traumatizing. Good luck!