Volcanic Ash Sticks to Cars: How to Clean It Without Scratches

Volcanic ash has settled heavily on vehicles in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi, leaving owners with more than ordinary dust to remove.

The ash contains hard, abrasive mineral and volcanic particles. If owners wipe or scrub it while dry, those particles can leave fine scratches on a car’s clear coat and windows, automotive expert Yannes Martinus Pasaribu of the Bandung Institute of Technology said.

The risk does not end with dry ash. When ash mixes with water, dew or drizzle and remains on the vehicle, the resulting deposits can create more corrosive conditions on the surface.

Owners whose vehicles have not been exposed should park them in a covered place. They can also use a car cover, but the vehicle should be clean first. A cover should not be placed on or moved across a car already covered in ash, because friction with the volcanic particles can increase the risk of scratches.

The article warns that cleaning an ash-covered vehicle should not begin by simply reaching for a cloth.

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The particles can contain hard and abrasive mineral material and volcanic fragments. If you wipe or rub them while dry, they can cause fine scratches on the clear coat and glass.