¿Cómo quitar la ceniza de los autos?

Nota editorial (2025): publicado originalmente en 2016. Se añadió una versión estructurada con fines enciclopédicos. El texto original se conserva íntegro como parte del archivo histórico.

Cleaning and Preventative Measures for Your Vehicle After an Eruption of the Popocatépetl Volcano

This article provides practical steps to clean and safeguard your vehicle following ashfall from volcanic activity, emphasizing potential risks associated with lava bombs. It is advised that readers peruse these tips thoroughly as they contain critical preventive advice for anticipated future incidents involving flames or eruptions.

• Immediate Cleaning: Ensure to clean your vehicle using water immediately. Failing to do so could result in accumulating harmful substances on the paintwork, exacerbating potential damage from acidic sulfur compounds.
• Acid Neutralization: Employ a car shampoo with neutral pH properties. This will help to mitigate any possible chemical reactions between acids in the ash and your vehicle’s paint, thereby minimizing potential damage from sulfur-containing compounds.
• Preventing Respray: Avoid using a container for rinsing cloths used to clean windows as it will likely get contaminated with ash and further spread the dust when wrung out. Instead, choose an alternative method that reduces risk of redeposition.
• Care during Cleaning: Avoid parking your vehicle in direct sunlight to prevent rapid evaporation which can lead to temperature-induced paint damage and create conditions where residue is more easily removed, possibly exacerbating the situation. It’s advised instead that you maintain a wet surface during cleanup.
• Special Attention for Glass: Ensure no ash remains on your windows before using windshield wipers as residual particles might not only scratch but also dislodge the accumulated dust, causing it to settle back onto the glass and potentially spread within interior areas of your vehicle.
• Shampoo Removal: Post-cleaning is essential; ensure no traces or shampoo remnants are left on the surface as these substances, while providing temporary cleanliness during volcanic ashfall, could potentially trap harmful residues and may result in further contamination if not thoroughly removed.
• Drying Process: Opt for microfiber towels or synthetic leather cloths that are known for their high absorption rates. They effectively remove moisture without leaving lint, which could otherwise attract dust during the drying process after a wash.
• Long-Term Prevention: Apply car wax or polish to provide an additional layer of protection against potential future ashfall incidents. This creates a barrier that helps shield your vehicle’s paintwork and components from acidic compounds contained in the volcanic ashes.
• Lubrication for Tires: Regularly lubricate wheel rims with specialized products designed to maintain gum tread on off-road driving conditions. This not only protects your wheels but also provides traction in case of mud and ash.
• Continuous Cleaning: As long as fresh volcanic ash is being deposited, it’s recommended to continuously wash the vehicle periodically. This practice prevents accumulation that could lead to paint damage or corrosion from acid content within the dust particles.

Preguntas frecuentes

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding Post-Eruption Vehicle Care for the Popocatépetl Volcano Situation

What immediate steps should I take to clean my vehicle after ashfall?It’s crucial to wash your car with water immediately following an ashfall, as not doing so may lead to harmful substances embedding on the paintwork.How do acidic sulfur compounds in volcanic ash affect my vehicle’s paint?These acids can chemically react with your car’s paint, causing damage. Neutralizing these effects is essential for protecting your vehicle from potential harm.What method should I use to clean the windows of my vehicle after ashfall without spreading dust?Avoid using a contaminated cloth; instead, employ an alternative technique that reduces redeposition risk. Use water and car shampoo with neutral pH properties for effective cleanup.How can I protect my vehicle’s paintwork during the volcanic ashfall?To safeguard your vehicle’s exterior, apply a coat of wax or polish. This creates an acid-resistant layer that defends against chemical damage from sulfur compounds.Which drying material should I use post-cleanup to avoid attracting dust?Use high absorption rate microfiber towels or synthetic leather cloths. These materials efficiently remove moisture without leaving lint, which could collect additional ash.Should I consider continuous washing of my vehicle during ongoing volcanic activity?Yes, continuously clean your car periodically as fresh ash falls to prevent build-up that can damage the paint or lead to corrosion due to acid content in dust particles.Is lubricating wheel rims necessary after an eruption of Popocatépetl?Applying specialized products designed for off-road conditions is advisable. This protects your wheels and aids traction on potentially slippery roads caused by mud and ash.What are the best practices to ensure my vehicle’s safety during flames or eruptions?Follow these FAQ-based tips for cleaning, neutralizing acidity, preventing redeposition of dust on windows, avoiding direct sunlight exposure, and continuously washing your car. These measures collectively contribute to the overall protection against volcanic ashfall risks.

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Texto original (2016)

Este artículo ofrece pasos prácticos para limpiar y proteger tu auto después de la actividad del Popocatépetl, destacando los riesgos que implica su ceniza. Es esen0 se recomienda leer hasta el final ya que contienen consejos cruciales sobre prevención en casos futuros repicante incendio o erupciones volcánicas. —

El Popocatépetl ha entrado en una nueva fase de intensa actividad por lo que luego de las explosiones de esta madrugada ha tapizado de ceniza volcánica a la ciudad de Puebla y zonas aledañas, se debe tener mucha precaución con este material.

A diferencia del polvo que se acumula en tu auto tras no haberlo lavado en más de una semana la ceniza volcánica es mucho más agresiva pues las partículas son más grandes y abrasivas, recuerda que la presencia de azufre puede causar grandes daños a la pintura de tu auto debido a su acidez; mientras que por el resto de sus componentes, (roca, lava petrificada y vidrio) pueden rayar la pintura de la carrocería si la ceniza no es removida de forma adecuada.

 

1. ¡Lávalo con agua potable! Si la ceniza por sí sola tiene diferentes compuestos químicos, al lavar tu auto con agua no potable estarías echándole más “porquería” a la pintura. Lávalo con agua potable y, al mismo tiempo, busca remover la mayor cantidad posible de ceniza.

 

2. ¡Neutraliza los daños! No hace falta una clase de química para explicarte que un shampoo con pH neutro es capaz de neutralizar todas las sustancias ácidas que contienen las cenizas. Por ello, es recomendable lavar tu auto con un shampoo para autos con esta característica.

 

3. Di no a las cubetas. Si tu auto está cubierto de cenizas volcánicas y enjuagas el trapo en una cubeta con agua, el agua quedará llena de cenizas y, por lo tanto, al volver a enjuagar el trapo llenarás de nuevo tu auto con las cenizas que ya habías quitado.

 

4. Mantén la carrocería mojada. Para empezar, no laves tu auto al rayo del sol pues el agua se evaporará y la diferencia de temperaturas podría dañar la pintura. Para evitar rayones, es preciso mantener mojada la carrocería del auto; se recomienda hacerlo con una esponja suave.

 

5. ¡Aguas con los vidrios! La pintura no es la única víctima de las cenizas volcánicas, los cristales de tu auto también se pueden rayar con la presencia de cenizas. Presta especial atención a que no quede ceniza en los limpiaparabrisas, pues al accionarlos podrías rayar los vidrios de tu auto. 

 

6. Que no quede shampoo. Así como cuando te bañas buscas que no te quede shampoo en la cabeza, debes de cuidar que no tampoco quede shampoo en la carrocería de tu auto. Usa suficiente agua para remover los restos de shampoo.

 

7. Proceso de secado. Para secar la carrocería, se recomienda usar microfibras de alta calidad o trapos de cuero sintético.

 

8. Medida preventiva. Si crees que hace falta, aplica cera o crema pulidora a la carrocería, esto le brindará mayor protección en caso de una nueva caída de ceniza volcánica.

 

9. Cuidado de las llantas. Las llantas también merecen sus cuidados. Se recomienda darlas “una pasadita” con productos especiales para el tratamiento de gomas.

 

10. Lava el auto continuamente. Mientras la ceniza siga cayendo, se recomienda lavar continuamente el auto para evitar rayaduras y que los componentes ácidos corroan la pintura.

Vía Motor Pasión

Foto: Chilanguerías