Car washes

Status
Not open for further replies.
I don't know. I just washed three trucks-cars this morning in the rain and two of the three look to not need any wax. All usually get a wax treatment at least twice a year. MN salt season is probably harder on the finish than the car wash soap.
 
Most car washes use a conditioning/filling agent in the soap to make the paint pop. However, that doesn't make it good for your car. Car washes will always add scratching, cover up imperfections and dry out plastic and rubber trim.

So yes, car washes today are better than they use to be, but still not good for the car.
 
The true touch free car washes that just use high pressure water jets (e.g. laserwash) tend to use harsher chemicals to get the same clean; so those may end up stripping more wax compared to a wash that touches your car. The final steps that you pay extra for may add back a little (cheap) wax though.
That being said you shouldn't have "wax" anymore but sealants and other synthetic polymers that will hold up better, before any carnauba layers.

So yes, if you spent a lot of time waxing, and your choice is between a laserwash and a (well-maintained) soft-touch facility, you should pick the soft-touch as it won't strip the wax, even if it may have a few micro abrasions.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: SF0059
Most car washes use a conditioning/filling agent in the soap to make the paint pop. However, that doesn't make it good for your car. Car washes will always add scratching, cover up imperfections and dry out plastic and rubber trim.

So yes, car washes today are better than they use to be, but still not good for the car.


In the winter in rust belt, they are better than leaving salt till spring rain washes it off.
 
Are we talking about automatic car washes (tunnels) or actual car wash product that you purchase and use yourself? Auto car washes aren't great for the paint if you want to keep it looking pristine, they get the job done but end up inflicting swirl marks all over. To answer your question, yes they will strip wax off.
 
The presoak smells like it has ammonia in it and definitely seems to strip the wax off my cars. At the "do it yourself carwash" I always rinse first to soak the dirt and cool off the bodywork before I put anything else on the vehicle.
 
Originally Posted By: gregk24
Are we talking about automatic car washes (tunnels) or actual car wash product that you purchase and use yourself? Auto car washes aren't great for the paint if you want to keep it looking pristine, they get the job done but end up inflicting swirl marks all over. To answer your question, yes they will strip wax off.


we are talking about automatic car washes
 
we are talking about automatic car washes [/quote]

Yes, I forget the mix but thought when I seen the brew that I will only use when have to.
 
Too darn hot to handwash most months down here. I take mine to Mr. Hotshine, after letting them dry it, I apply a spray wax in the shade.

Park in the garage almost 100 percent of the time at work and home, so my sonata looks brand new.
 
Originally Posted By: JustinH
Too darn hot to handwash most months down here. I take mine to Mr. Hotshine, after letting them dry it, I apply a spray wax in the shade.

Park in the garage almost 100 percent of the time at work and home, so my sonata looks brand new.


Nothing beats parking a car in a garage, nothing!
 
Originally Posted By: CT8
20 years and the car will be on its way to the wrecking yard anyway.

Agreed, so why not make it look like a swirled up overpriced P0S from day 1
cool.gif
 
Originally Posted By: FastEddie
Originally Posted By: CT8
20 years and the car will be on its way to the wrecking yard anyway.

Agreed, so why not make it look like a swirled up overpriced P0S from day 1
cool.gif


Some of the responses here are hilarious. Why even worry about oil when the car looks like a POS?

Yes, a car wash (touchless or spinning scratchy brushes) will strip wax. Pulling the car out and using a wax-as-you-dry product will help mitigate until you can do a proper wax.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom