Originally Posted by NissanMaxima
Nothing but hand washing for me too. I suppose there are reliable no touch washes out there, and that's why I mentioned that, but not worth the risk to me. Besides the danger of contact with brushes, who knows what harsh chemicals are used. If you have a nice finish, a hand wash is the only way to keep it. On the rare occasions, the car has to go to the dealer, I always need to remember to tell them to skip their "courtesy wash".
Yeah....many people don't do any homework on automated car washes.
They are not all created equal. The chemicals they use, their power flushes, brushes (if any), drying systems, etc. all can vary. Won't use 90% of the automated car washes, but luckily there is a 1 year old cutting edge facility within 3 minutes of home. I guess if those show cars worth hundreds of thousands of $$$ use them...they're just fine for my SUV as well.
I have used automated facilities for many years. Never got a ding or scratch. That's a result of my detailing steps, as well as own post-wash car care and researching car wash facilities in greater detail than many people are willing to do. My previous 18-year old Mercedes that looked showroom new was a testimony to consistently following a successful detailing program, which included automated car washes...continuing the same regimen.
The purpose of any car wash is to remove the surface dirt and particulates - there's more than one way to address that need.
Applying a quality 5 or 6-step detailing treatment twice/year provides the best protection, with 15 minute UV spray sealant between washes to sustain the "just waxed" protection and appearance.
As for the topic at hand. Polishes are for scuff and surface scratch mitigation. Any glaze product (as part of a 5 or 6-step detailing process) is purely for maximizing the shine appearance...nothing more, nothing less. Glaze products are regularly used on "car show cars" to maximize a shiny appearance.