Automotive detailers, car owners, and the internet have been at odds for years over whether or not automatic car washes damage your vehicle’s paint and more fragile body panels. While there may be some validity to the argument, modern wash technology has reduced many risks, but the trade-off still depends on the wash type, equipment condition, and how picky you are about paint perfection.
That, however, is not an answer to our question: Are automatic car washes ruining your car? Generally speaking, if you’re debating between regularly washing your car and not, an automatic car wash is still your best bet. Here’s what you need to know before you decide what’s best for you and your vehicle.
Two Types of Automatic Car Washes
You may not realize it without giving it some thought, but there are two main categories of automatic car washes most people encounter: touch-free washes and the washes with the big bristle brushes of doom.
Touch-free car washes typically refer to facilities that use high-pressure water jets to pre-rinse, suds soak, and rinse without using materials like a brush or microfibers to aggravate and remove dirt and grime. This prevents dirt, rocks, and other particles from being unintentionally scrubbed into your paint during the wash cycle but can struggle to remove heavily bonded grime compared with washes that physically contact the paint and can leave some spots.
Touch car washes, on the other hand, can feature soft bristles, fabric/cloth rollers, or stiff bristle brushes. These often provide a deeper clean, but they can increase the risk of swirl marks or light marring, especially if the equipment isn’t well maintained or is contaminated with grit.
Many detailing experts and enthusiasts, like those at CarWash.com, argue that many modern washes have reduced the risk of mediating potential damage caused by touch car washes. They explain that newer, updated car washes use materials that mitigate the risk of damaging your vehicle’s paint, leaving your car cleaner while reducing, but not eliminating, the chance of swirl marks. It is worth noting, however, that micro-scratches can occur if towels are dirty, technique is poor, or grit isn’t rinsed off first—even during careful hand washing, even when you hand wash the car at home.
The Importance of Regular Washes
Besides maintaining appearances, there are a lot of valuable reasons as to why regularly washing your vehicle is important, even if you have to go to a car wash with the scary-looking filament brushes. Of course, we all love the look of a shiny, clean car, but in the day-to-day hustle and bustle, sometimes it’s hard to justify the time it takes to wash our cars just so they can get dirty again.
Washing your car regularly helps preserve the paint long-term but can also help reduce long-term exposure of undercarriage components to mud, salt, and road contaminants (especially if the wash includes an undercarriage rinse), which can cause corrosion and rust over time. Not to mention, when annoying things like bird droppings and tree sap sit on your paint in the sun for too long, they can damage the clear coat over time, and the risk increases the longer they sit, especially in sun and heat, causing long-term damage that can diminish your car’s value and lead to costly repairs down the road.
Can Overwashing Harm Your Car?
Many auto and detailing sources recommend washing about every two weeks under normal conditions, adjusting based on climate, road salt, pollen, and how the car is stored, but there are a lot of factors to keep in mind and, above all else, a reminder that it does take time, resources, and energy to do so. Families with young children, working adults, and teenagers with busy school schedules often find themselves slacking in the car wash department.
Can overwashing harm your car? In theory, no, if you are using proper washing methods, there isn’t really such a thing as too many bubble baths for your car. Something to keep in mind, however, is your vehicle’s paint relies on a protective coating like spray or paste wax or, if you’re in for the investment, ceramic coating. This coating protects your car from harmful UV rays, hard water, and dirt and wears over time and may need periodic reapplication, especially if you wash frequently with harsh detergents or abrasive methods.
Finding a Balance: How Often and Where to Wash Your Car
For many, whether it be having a space and resources to wash or just having the time, going to an automatic car wash is the overall best option, though there are a lot of divided opinions on whether or not it’s better for your car than hand washing your vehicle yourself. The truth of the matter is that there is no one-size-fits-all solution that is realistic for the everyday consumer.
Not washing your car enough can cause damage to your paint, metal components, and glass, but frequent washing using improper technique, dirty tools, or harsh chemicals can accelerate swirl marks and paint wear. Some industry reports have cited that many Americans wash about 1–2 times per month (roughly ~12-24 washes per year on average), but the figure varies by region, climate, and whether people use professional washes or wash at home.