Automatic car washes are known for being quick and easy. But that convenience can cost your paint over time. Here are the main risks of automatic car washes, and what to watch for.
Used water is recycled
Many automatic car washes reuse their water to save money and resources. Filtration systems remove most contaminants, but not all of them. Fine sand and grit left in the water can scratch your paint during the wash.
Aggressive cleaners
Every business tries to keep costs down, and some car washes use cheap, harsh chemicals. This is especially common at touchless washes, which rely on strong cleaners because nothing touches the car. The car comes out looking clean, but those chemicals slowly strip wax and wear down your paint’s protection.
Washes with rotating brushes have the opposite problem. The brushes rub dirt from previous cars against your paint, and over time that leaves swirl marks and fine scratches that dull the finish.
Not all dirt is removed
Touchless washes in particular can’t scrub, so they often leave a film of road grime behind. Problem areas like lower panels, wheels and door jambs don’t get extra attention, and that buildup makes the car look worse over time.
Drying technique
Air dryers usually don’t remove all the water. Driving off with a wet car leaves water spots, and mineral spots that sit too long can etch into the clear coat and need polishing to remove.
Watch out for dirty towels
Some car washes have attendants who hand-dry each car at the end. That sounds better, but if they use the same towels on car after car, those towels pick up grit and drag it across your paint.
The bottom line
A car with clean, scratch-free paint holds a higher resale value. Automatic car washes can make your car look fine in the short term, but regular use adds up to swirls, scratches and dull paint.
If your paint already has light swirls or surface scratches, our scratch removal service machine polishes them out, starting at $80 (plus tax). For regular care, a hand exterior detail for a sedan is $99 (plus tax), done in your driveway anywhere in Utah County. Book online or call (385) 375-7652.
