Spring is in the Air and so is Pollen: ZIPS Car Wash Offers Drivers Tips to Protect Their Vehicles from Spring’s Yellow Dust

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 19, 2026--

Tomorrow is the first day of Spring and as warmer temperatures return and flowers begin to bloom, so does one of spring’s most notorious nuisances—pollen. While many Americans focus on managing seasonal allergies, vehicle owners should also take steps to protect their vehicle from the effects of heavy pollen buildup. During peak pollen season, vehicles can quickly become coated in a fine yellow or green layer of pollen, posing damaging risks to your paint job.

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“Though pollen may seem harmless, it can cling to vehicle surfaces, trap moisture, and contribute to paint damage if left unattended for extended periods,” said Pete Nani, CEO, ZIPS Car Wash. “We’re seeing high tree pollen counts from Dallas all the way to Myrtle Beach and many areas in between, making it imperative to follow these tips from our long-time car washing experts to protect your vehicle this spring.”

Simple Ways to Protect Your Vehicle During Pollen Season

“A few simple habits can help drivers keep their vehicles clean and protected throughout the spring,” said Craig Farina, VP of Facilities, ZIPS Car Wash. “Pollen grains are small but surprisingly abrasive and when mixed with morning dew or rain, pollen can form a sticky film that adheres to the paint, glass, and trim of your vehicle. If wiped off while dry, it can create micro-scratches in the clear coat. Over time, repeated exposure without proper cleaning can dull a vehicle’s finish and reduce its overall appearance,” he added. “We encourage you to take advantage of our express tunnel services and follow these tips to protect your vehicle.”

1. Wash Your Vehicle More Frequently: Regular washing removes pollen before it bonds with moisture and debris. A quick rinse or express wash every 5–7 days during peak pollen periods can prevent buildup.

2. Avoid Dry Wiping Pollen Off Your Car: Brushing or wiping pollen off with a dry cloth can grind particles into the paint. Instead, rinse the surface with water or use a professional car wash that applies pre-wash prep to your vehicle to safely remove pollen.

3. Use an Express Car Wash After High-Pollen Days: After windy days, storms, or when visible pollen buildup occurs, an express car wash is one of the fastest ways to remove pollen from your vehicle’s surface, wheels, and undercarriage.

4. Protect Your Paint with Wax or Sealant: A protective wax or paint sealant helps create a barrier that makes pollen easier to wash away and prevents it from sticking to the paint. Choose ZIPS Pro or Premier wash for the longest lasting effects.

5. Don’t Forget the Interior: Pollen can enter vehicles through vents, open doors, and clothing. Regularly vacuuming floor mats and wiping interior surfaces can help keep the cabin cleaner and more comfortable for you and your passengers. ZIPS complimentary turbo vacs make clean up fast and easy.

Why Express Car Washes are an Easy, Fast Solution

Express washes are designed to quickly and safely remove pollen, dust, and debris without requiring drivers to spend significant time cleaning their vehicles themselves. For vehicle owners, staying ahead of pollen season is as simple as making regular car washes part of their spring routine. ZIPS has made it easy and budget friendly with the new ZIPS Basic Unlimited ® Wash Plan. Now, get your car washed every day for just $20/month or make your existing membership a Family Plan so every car in your family shines.

ZIPS Car Wash is celebrating National Car Wash Day, Saturday, March 28 th, with free detailing kits for the first 50 customers at every ZIPS location. Make plans to celebrate at your nearest ZIPS.

Before you get your vehicle cleaned up, submit a photo of your dirty vehicle to ZIPS Car Wash to enter to win prizes in the Dirty Car Photo Sweepstakes now through March 31. Submit your photo today.

About ZIPS Car Wash

ZIPS Car Wash, headquartered in Plano, Texas, is a privately held car wash operator, with over 200 locations across 20 states under three brands: ZIPS Car Wash, Rocket Express Car Wash, and Jet Brite Car Wash. With over 20 years of car washing experience, ZIPS prides itself on providing the highest quality express tunnel car wash in the industry. ZIPS uses the latest industry technology to provide a clean, dry, and shiny vehicle, exceptional customer experiences and value through loyalty rewards in the innovative ZIPS Car Wash mobile app. The ZIPS team aims to positively impact the communities we live and serve in through key partnerships with schools, military non-profit organizations and community leaders. In 2025, ZIPS Car Wash was recognized by Newsweek as a “Best of the Best” and “Best in Customer Service” award recipient. To learn more about our growing express car wash, visitwww.zipscarwash.com.

ZIPS is the Official Car Wash of Pollen Season and ready to serve you at more than 200 locations across the country.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is seeking $200 billion in additional funds for the Iran war, a sizable amount that is certain to be met with questions from Congress, which would need to approve any new money.

The department sent the request to the White House, according to a senior administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private information. Asked about the figure at a press conference Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not directly confirm the amount, saying it could change.

“It takes money to kill bad guys,” Hegseth said.

But he said “we’re going back to Congress and our folks there to ensure that we’re properly funded.”

It’s an extraordinarily high number and comes on top of extra funding the Defense Department already received last year in President Donald Trump’s big tax cuts bill. Such a request would need to be approved by Congress, and it is not at all clear such spending would have political support.

Congress has been bracing for a new spending request but it is not clear the White House has transmitted the request for consideration. Lawmakers have not authorized the war, and Congress is showing growing unease with the military operation’s scope and strategy.

The new funding request was first reported by The Washington Post.

While the House and Senate are controlled by the president’s Republican Party many of the more conservative lawmakers are also fiscal hawks, with little political appetite for big spending, on military operations or other matters. Most Democrats are likely to reject such a request and demand more detailed plans from the Trump administration about the U.S. military goals and objectives.

Rep. Ken Calvert, the Republican chair of the House subcommittee with oversight over defense spending, said he was already advocating for a supplemental spending bill to allow the Pentagon to replenish munitions.

“That was going to happen, and now we have this conflict with some additional costs. So, that’s where we’re at," Calvert of California said Thursday.

"I know there are peripheral issues out there that people are concerned about, but right now, this is about our national security and it’s important that we get this done,” he said.

But Rep. Betty McCollum of Minnesota, the ranking Democrat on the House subcommittee with oversight over defense spending, said the president has taken the U.S. into a war without coming to Congress and she’s demanding more details.

“This is not going to be a rubber stamp for the president of the United States,” McCollum said.

She said Congress is still waiting for the administration to explain where it would be spending the additional $150 billion funding that went to the Pentagon through Trump’s tax and spending cut bill. It’s also waiting on the president’s budget request for this year.

“I’m not writing blank checks to the Department of Defense,” McCollum said.

It all points to a monumental battle ahead in Congress over any new Pentagon spending that would almost certainly need support from Republicans and Democrats in a bipartisan package to push past objections toward approval. Republican leaders could either try to go it alone through an arduous budget process, or cut deals with Democrats on other priorities that would likely add to the hefty price tag.

The requested amount would be a sizable boost to the Pentagon’s annual budget, which Congress approved at more than $800 billion for the current fiscal year.

That’s on top of some $150 billion that Congress gave the Defense Department in last year’s tax cuts bill, much of it for specific projects and overall upgrades to the Pentagon's operations.

While some of the military's biggest champions on Capitol Hill have welcomed new spending as a way to boost munitions stockpiles and upgrade the U.S. defense capabilities in the face of emerging threats, others will certainly point to health care and other domestic needs that they view as more important priorities.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who declines to call the military operation a war, said Wednesday he believes the attacks on Iran have accomplished the U.S. objectives of destroying the country's ballistic missiles and neutering its Navy, and will quickly comes to an end.

“As soon as we bring some calm to the situation, I think it’s all but done,” said Johnson, R-La.

Associated Press writer Konstantin Toropin contributed to this report.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, March 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)