The satisfaction you get after your car is washed is unmatched. You can’t help it. Washing your car removes dirt and bring the car back to its original state.
But what if you just bought a car and haven’t received your permanent license plates yet? Can you safely take your car with temporary plates through an automated car wash?
No, you cannot go through a car wash with temporary plates to avoid damaging the plates especially if they are made with less durable materials like cardboard or paper; it’s best to avoid automated car wash and hand wash the car.
Can I Go Through Car Wash With Temporary Plates?
To be honest, going through a car wash with temporary plates is not advisable especially if the plates are made with less durable materials, you may end up damaging the plates.
Temporary plates are not made with the same materials as permanent plates because they are “temporary”. The plates were given to you to enable you to legally drive the car for a set period while you wait for your permanent plates to arrive in the mail.
So, if you touch the plates and feel that the material used in making the plates cannot withstand automated car wash, then, no need of going through a car wash.
In fact, I recommend not going to a car wash with your temporary tags except the durability of the plates can withstand whatever normally goes on at automated car wash stands.
Why You Should Not Go Through Carwash With Temporary Plates
As reiterated earlier, temporary plates are usually made from adhesive foil, paper, or a lightweight cardboard-like material to serve their temporary purpose. These materials are not as durable as the materials used in permanent plates.
The force of the water jets, brushes, or even the rollers in an automated car wash can easily tear, bend, or otherwise damage such fragile materials.
Imagine a rogue brush catching the edge of your plate, resulting in a tear, a scratch, or even a complete detachment. It will automatically make the plate illegible hence leading to trouble with law enforcement.
Also, automated car washes use high-pressure water jets and spinning brushes to clean vehicles efficiently. It is true that these mechanisms are designed to remove dirt and grime effectively, they can also apply force to the surface of the car.
Temporary plates, being less securely attached and more delicate, are more prone to damage from this pressure and friction from going through a car wash.
Furthermore, temporary plates are usually affixed to the vehicle using adhesive or temporary fasteners. However, these attachment methods may not be as secure as the permanent mounting hardware used for standard license plates.
The vigorous movements and water pressure in an automated car wash can weaken the adhesive or cause temporary fasteners to come loose, leading to the plates being dislodged or damaged.
Also, some automated car washes use strong detergents or cleaning agents to help remove stubborn dirt and grime. These chemicals, while effective at cleaning the vehicle, can also degrade the materials of temporary plates, especially if they are paper-based or made of low-quality plastics.
Over time, exposure to such chemicals can weaken the plates, making them more prone to damage.
The chemicals can also cause the ink on your plate to fade or even bleed, making the information difficult to read. However, just like a poorly written shopping list, an unreadable plate doesn’t serve its purpose.
In some cases, the design of the car wash equipment itself may pose a risk to temporary plates. For example, rotating brushes or other mechanical components might catch onto the edges of the plates or exert uneven pressure, leading to tearing or bending.
So for these reasons, I recommend not going through an automated carwash with temporary plates. Find another best alternative to wash your car to avoid damaging your plates and getting pulled over by the police.
Best Type of Car Wash for a New Car With Temporary Plates
The best type of car wash for a new car with temporary plates are touchless car wash and gentle hand wash, either done by yourself or by a professional detailer.
Touchless Car Wash
Touchless car wash is one of the best ways to wash a new car with temporary plates because it relies on high-pressure water jets and cleaning solutions to remove dirt and grime which eliminates the physical contact with brushes, cloths, and other components that can scratch, snag, or even rip temporary plates in a touch car wash.
Moreover, the cleaning solutions used in touchless car washes are generally milder compared to those in touch washes which helps to minimize the risk of the chemicals causing the ink on your temporary plates to fade or bleed, ensuring they remain legible.
Since there’s no physical contact with your car, the possibility of your temporary plate getting caught on a brush is reduced. This avoids inconveniencing both you and other car wash users.
Hand Wash
Hand washing is another best way you can wash your new car that still has temporary plates on it because hand washing allows you to have complete control over the cleaning process.
You can choose appropriate cleaning products and techniques that are gentle on the vehicle’s surface and less likely to damage temporary plates.
You can choose mild, pH-balanced car wash soaps that are less likely to degrade the temporary plates or cause any adverse reactions with the adhesive used to attach them to your car.
Meanwhile, hand washing the car allows you to pay close attention to areas that may require special care, such as around the temporary plates. You can gently clean these areas without risking damage from automated equipment.
It eliminates the risk of high-pressure water jets or spinning brushes that can damage temporary plates. Instead, you can use a soft sponge or microfiber cloth to gently remove dirt and grime on the plates without exerting excessive force.
One of my greatest fears of going through a car wash with temporary plates is to avoid getting the plates bent or torn. Hand washing reduces the risk of these during the cleaning process. You can securely hold onto the plates while washing to make sure they remain intact and properly attached to the vehicle.
If you prefer not to wash the car yourself, you can opt for a professional hand wash service where experienced detailers will use gentle techniques and quality products to clean your new car safely.
Just be sure to let them know about the presence of temporary plates so they can take extra care around them or better still, keep driving the car like that until you receive your permanent plates.
Are Temporary Plates Waterproof?
Generally, temporary plates are considered water-resistant and not entirely waterproof because they are made of materials that are at least somewhat water-resistant, but they are not completely waterproof.
Most temporary plates are made from a synthetic material called Teslin which is designed to withstand rain, snow, and splashes of water without sustaining damage.
This means the material can repel water to a certain extent, but prolonged exposure or heavy downpours could cause water to seep through.
Also, the ink used to print the information on the plate might not be entirely waterproof. Heavy rain or car washes with powerful jets could cause the ink to smear or fade, making the plate difficult to read.
So, while temporary plates can handle everyday exposure to water, there are limitations to their water resistance. Therefore, don’t leave your car parked outside during heavy rain for extended periods.
Can You Laminate a Temporary License Plate?
Temporary plates can be laminated but it’s not recommended. In fact, it is generally not recommended to laminate a temporary license plate because lamination can damage the temporary plate material itself.
Heat used during lamination can cause warping or shrinkage, especially if the plate isn’t made from a heat-resistant material like Teslin.
Moreover, lamination adds a layer of plastic that might obscure the information printed on the plate, making it difficult for law enforcement or toll booth operators to read the plate details.
Instead of laminating the plate, consider other methods to protect it, such as placing it in a protective plastic sleeve or holder designed for temporary plates. These holders are designed to shield the plate from water and dirt while still allowing it to be easily removed when needed.
Conclusion
You should not go through a car wash with temporary plates to avoid tearing, bending, or damaging the plates.
Temporary plates are made with materials not as durable as permanent plates, therefore, going through an automated carwash with the force and brushes, may end up damaging or bending the plates.
Therefore, do not go through a car wash with temporary plates rather hand wash the car or perform a touchless car wash. If you can wait a few days or weeks, delaying the car wash until you receive your permanent license plates might be the safest option.
