Icelandic ash can damage rubber - claim

ERJ staff report (DS)

London, UK -- A UK based car care product maker is saying that ash falling from the sky from Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull can damage rubber seals in your vehicle, and degrade tyres and windscreen wipers or scratch windscreens. The company -- Autoglym -- says people should wash their vehicles carefully to remove potential hazards and to avoid scratching the vehicle with the ash.

Autoglym said in a release that the "ash contains particles that are substantially larger, harder and more aggressively abrasive on paintwork and glass than normal atmospheric contaminants."

“We are concerned that, as many motorists get their buckets and sponges out for the first time in the warmer weather, they could unwittingly cause damage to their own vehicles, unless they take extra precautions when cleaning their cars. Moreover, many forecasts suggest the eruptions will continue and therefore ash deposits may present a risk for weeks, so motorists must take steps to protect their cars from future deposits,” Caller added.