IDK. I don;t get those. I just get the cheapest one that includes the undercarriage.
Are all automatic car washes bad for your car?
- Thread starter ToyotaDave
- Start date
IDK. I don;t get those. I just get the cheapest one that includes the undercarriage.
i don't wash my grundle, much less my car!!!
Touchless should be fine and you can rest assured that damage won't be caused to your paint outside of faster removal of any protective coatings thanks to some of the soaps that can be used. The "wax" and "polish" they sell in the upper-priced touchless do absolutely nothing...I recommend anyone in a winter climate pay for the cheapest wash with an underbody spray and stick to that.
Soft touch do clean better, though. Over the course of the winter I end up getting a film build-up going just touchless and my new strategy is doing 1-2 soft touch washes per winter to remove that. Running the risk of swirl marks, yes, but minimal chances in my opinion given that it is only once or twice a year. The other week my normal touchless was closed due to the temps being well below zero, so I did a soft touch for the first time this winter and it is certainly cleaner than it has been since my last hand wash in the fall.
Soft touch do clean better, though. Over the course of the winter I end up getting a film build-up going just touchless and my new strategy is doing 1-2 soft touch washes per winter to remove that. Running the risk of swirl marks, yes, but minimal chances in my opinion given that it is only once or twice a year. The other week my normal touchless was closed due to the temps being well below zero, so I did a soft touch for the first time this winter and it is certainly cleaner than it has been since my last hand wash in the fall.
Automatic car washes either beat your paint into submission or they use harsh chemicals.
You can't just get the undercarriage wash they bundle that in with the ceramic wax spray so you have no choice.
I pay less than $30 a month for a local car wash and I can go every single day if I wanted. That’s ridiculous if a car wash charges $30 just for one wash!
He uses one of the car washes that have crazy lighting effects to get your attention. $30 is there mid level wash they go even higher! and have spry on ceramic wax.
I wash my cars by hand but in the winter time it is not easy and it does take awhile. I do see the appeal to automatic car washes.
Yes, the chemicals in the "soap" (especially the alkaline surfactants and whatnot) will dry out trim plastic over time causing it to fade more with UV exposure. But as long as you have that ceramic coated, it's less of a big deal.
Patman
Staff member
I live in an apartment so having access to an automatic wash is great, and it is only a mile from my place. But I only do that with my Civic. For the Corvette I use the DIY coin wash booths. I rarely ever drive it in the rain though so I generally only wash it about every 2-3 weeks to get the dust off.
I use our local wash n fill at least 3 times a week on an unlimited plan for $35 a car. Underbody, salt shield, the whole enchilada. My 09 has zero panel rust and outside of fasteners like exhaust and sway bar etc, has remained 75% rust free as far as wrenching. I do use turtle wax black ceramic spray wax once a month in the summer. Two black cars and one blue and it keeps the swirls away. I gave the 09 to my daughter for work, so I’m sure it’ll be a rusted out pile of you know what in a few years.
Short answer: yes.
Long answer: fine scratches and swirls in the paint/clear coat are usually caused by dirt trapped in the washing material. That's why I use the 2 bucket method to wash Gerhardt. 1 bucket is the soap and water, and the 2nd bucket (5 gallon contractor bucket) contains water. After washing a small section (e.g., half the roof) I dunk the wash mitt into the 2 bucket and then pull it out to flush all of the dirt.
Long answer: fine scratches and swirls in the paint/clear coat are usually caused by dirt trapped in the washing material. That's why I use the 2 bucket method to wash Gerhardt. 1 bucket is the soap and water, and the 2nd bucket (5 gallon contractor bucket) contains water. After washing a small section (e.g., half the roof) I dunk the wash mitt into the 2 bucket and then pull it out to flush all of the dirt.
That’s just it, they don’t work. If you want your car to receive a waxing to its paint finish, wax or paint sealant or whatever other product you are wanting to use has to be applied and then buffed. Any other “special ingredients“ that car washes advertise all simply run down the drain Although some people enjoy the funky chemical smell that they leave on the car for a while.
Not always. Yes, it’s true that some car washes try to bundle you into getting things you don’t need, but the ones near me have something like six different choices and I always pick the least costly choice that has the under body wash.
On the contrary, there are spray-on, rinse-off sealants that do work.
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
Would like to offer my opinion of the "Wax" setting at the spray booth. My current vehicle has been hand washed only once in nearly 3 years. When I go to the spray booth I never use the "Rinse" setting. I just go straight to wax and rinse with that. The sheading action of the wax seems to push the soap off the panels. Then I do a once around with spot free rinse. Looks great for $5-6.
The real benefit is at the next wash, where the recent blizzard remnants just fell off due to the layer of "wax" under the dirt. This cost $5.38. I have probably washed the Maverick less than 15 times since new. The Cactus Gray paint just does not show dirt and looks clean 90% of the time due to being garaged 95% of the time. At age 70, it's as good as its going to get.
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f355spider
$50 Site Donor 2025
I worked at a car wash while in high school years ago...yes, all car washes are damaging to your paint, but it is cumulative, so you may not notice for a few years. I still use them occasionally, on my daily driver, or my truck...particularly in winter. 
Be aware that "touchless" is really no better (pick your poison), the key ingredient to a touchless car wash is paracetic acid. An oxidative chemical that breaks the bond the dirt has with your paint, and allows it to be easily washed away without mechanical friction of the brushes. At minimum that is going to wear away whatever protective coatings or waxes you have applied. Longer term to clearcoat? Dunno...but I'm not risking it.
Be aware that "touchless" is really no better (pick your poison), the key ingredient to a touchless car wash is paracetic acid. An oxidative chemical that breaks the bond the dirt has with your paint, and allows it to be easily washed away without mechanical friction of the brushes. At minimum that is going to wear away whatever protective coatings or waxes you have applied. Longer term to clearcoat? Dunno...but I'm not risking it.
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I have a membership to the local drive thru car wash for my truck. In the winter time, its just too cold to wash yourself in the driveway and I'll take any amount of paint swirls over rust from the salt.
The one I go to actually doesn't use felt brushes. They brushes are a soft, closed-cell foam rubber, sort of like a yoga mat. They don't pick up nearly as much dirt as felt or cloth brushes would. They also spin them to fling out any dirt between every car. I'm sure I'll get some swirls, but like I said, I'll take swirls over rust.
The one I go to actually doesn't use felt brushes. They brushes are a soft, closed-cell foam rubber, sort of like a yoga mat. They don't pick up nearly as much dirt as felt or cloth brushes would. They also spin them to fling out any dirt between every car. I'm sure I'll get some swirls, but like I said, I'll take swirls over rust.
You are right. The key for touchless is to make sure you have a good coat of polish. That's the key. That's what I do. If no polish-or other coating I wouldn't use touchless either.
My opinion is hand washing is always best
Next, I would choose a car wash with brushes/felt strips
Last I would use touchless
Next, I would choose a car wash with brushes/felt strips
Last I would use touchless
This is the way. You want to get REALLY high speed? Go one panel at a time and don't put your mitt back in the "wash" bucket until it's been scrubbed in your water bucket. The OCD guys I know have a third dedicated wheel/tire bucket that's only used on the rubber and wheels. I may do that too...but I am not quite to their level of free time.
Convenient? No. Ideal? Yes!
I'd swap your second and third choice. But they're both easier than hand washing that's for sure.
Again, all of this is based on an unlimited timescale and ideal weather. I let my cars sit in the winter and I'm not in "the north." Otherwise, I too would be after one of those wash club membership things and send them multiple times per week as was mentioned before.
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