The automated car wash.

[NYSteve]

Around here, I can get a true hand wash for about $7. They use compressed air to dry and even wipe down the windows and dash (no armor-all or other grease fortunately). Might want to check out yelp reviews for your area.

 

[Robenstein]

I love that duster video...within the first few minutes be cuts the cheese. Very professional. LOL

But just about everyone I see uses it the wrong way. Still wiping dust off the paint without any lubrication can still cause some scratching. Maybe if you have a good wax on it you will be okay, but rarely does it get used right or in the right combo with other products. Its a tool used by the lazy most of the time and with lots of fine scratches to prove it.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: 91344George
Good luck with all the paint damage that will likely come with that smokin deal you received.


One of my friends just bought a former service car..The service driver [who bought the car used] took it to the car wash at least twice a week..The black paint [07 Town Car] still looks good and it has no paint damage at 400K miles.


Washing a car's paint with a 100% contaminated free wash mit and a high quality car shampoo can and will leave SMALL swirl marks and imperfections in the clear coat. They may not be visible to the untrained eye, but they are there, and after a few more hand washes, they become even more visible.

Any automatic car wash that applies any type of contact to the paint besides sprayed water is going to leave damage to the clear coat.

What you consider "damage" is subjective.

Many people do not care about or consider swirls damage.

 

[ddrumman2004]

About the only way to keep a vehicle's paint in new condition is to store that vehicle in a vacuum.....never take it out. LOL!

Through the winter months...when temps allow....all I do is hose off my vehicle. It gets a really good handwash from a local outfit that does a great job of cleaning a vehicle. They "detail" the vehicle to the point that it looks just like it rolled of the showroom floor.

I have also reached the age that handwashing my truck or the wife's SUV, can be an overwhelming task.

 

[swirlparanoid]

Originally Posted By: Robenstein
I love that duster video...within the first few minutes be cuts the cheese. Very professional. LOL

But just about everyone I see uses it the wrong way. Still wiping dust off the paint without any lubrication can still cause some scratching. Maybe if you have a good wax on it you will be okay, but rarely does it get used right or in the right combo with other products. Its a tool used by the lazy most of the time and with lots of fine scratches to prove it.


LOL noticed that also. His videos might not be very professional but he is widely known for his detailing knowledge on various forums.
One thing people probably tend to do is use it after they drive. If someone drives down to the gas station and back then the car needs another washing because there is matted on dirt now.

i still wouldn't use one though

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: ddrumman2004
About the only way to keep a vehicle's paint in new condition is to store that vehicle in a vacuum.....never take it out. LOL!


That is true.

 

[swirlparanoid]

Yes the most careful person using the 2 bucket method with grit guards will still have some damage (myself included) so people saying they have no damage are either just not seeing it or they dont know what to look for.

Something i couldn't believe about our local chain Mikes carwash is that they regularly lets cars go through with snow clumps still in the wheel wells. are you kidding me?

 

[91344George]

Actually a LOT of what makes the difference between swirl marks and a car almost completely free of them is a combination of the amount and type of soap, water, and tool used to wash. I see too many people either using too much soap or not enough which can affect the solutions ability to "float" dirt above the surface of the paint while washing. Also you need to specifically use a "car wash" soap, and not a ordinary dish soap which does NOT have the same ability to float dirt on a car's painted surface.

The ONLY time to use dish soap is if you want to strip wax.