Are car washes bad for your car? Some car owners stay away from car washes, fearing it can cause scratches on their car. In this post, we’re breaking down the pros and cons of different types of car washes out there to help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to know more.
Automatic car wash
Automatic car washes have made the whole car washing process simple and hassle-free. All you need to do is park your vehicle onto a conveyor belt; it then takes your car through a tunnel, with brushes, hoses, and towels, to get it squeaky clean in no time! The car washing process should take less than five minutes when you visit an automatic car washes near you.
Automatic car washes – The pros
Scientific and gentle: When compared to manual car wash methods, automatic car washes use scientific techniques to wash your car. What’s more, the state-of-the-art equipment and high-quality car wash products used in automatic car washes are gentle on your car’s paint job.
Affordable: Visit automatic car washes near you to get your car washed for affordable prices. To save more, you can also get an unlimited monthly car wash subscription.
Saves you a lot of time: If you don’t have enough time to wash your car at home, automatic car washes are a great option. You can get your car cleaned in an instant without having to spend too much time.
Automatic car washes – The cons
Can cause water spots: In automatic car washes, the chances of water spots being caused are pretty high if older equipment is used. This is due to the inefficient cleaning and drying process.
Scratches on the paint: Some automatic car washes still use abrasive brushes and bristles in the car wash bay. The worn-in brushes are more likely to scratch your vehicle’s paint and can even damage its clear coat.
Cannot reach all spots: Automatic car washes cannot clean the nooks and crannies of your vehicle. The dirt in these unreachable spots over time can cause damage.
Self-service car wash
Self-service car washes are the best option to clean your car if you don’t have the right equipment or if you live in an apartment with a water shortage. Here are the pros and cons of self-service car washes.
Self-service car washes – The pros
Access to professional car wash equipment: In self-service car washes, you’ll have access to all the professional car wash equipment to clean your car effectively. You no longer have to depend on a hose, driveway, and other household items to clean your car.
Can control the process: You’re directly involved in the washing process in self-service car washes, and you have control over the whole procedure. What’s more, it also gives you an unmatched sense of satisfaction.
Self-service car washes – The cons
Time-consuming: Self-service car washes require a lot of time to clean and dry your car since you do it manually.
Damage to your vehicle: Some self-service car washing stations have low-quality equipment and car wash products that can damage your vehicle. What’s worse, since you’re washing your own vehicle, one simple mistake can sometimes cause irreparable damage to your car.
Touchless car wash
In touchless car washes, high-pressure washers and strong detergents are used to clean the vehicle. As the name suggests, no equipment is in direct contact with the car in touchless car washes during the cleaning process. Therefore, the chances of scratches being caused are very minimal.
Touchless car washes – The pros
Time-saving: Like an automatic car washing facility, a touchless car wash is also a convenient and time-saving option. You can be in and out of the station with a clean car in a few minutes.
Cost-efficient: A touchless car wash is affordable and wallet-friendly. On average, a touchless car wash will cost you between $10 and $15 for a single wash.
Scratch-free: Since no equipment comes in direct contact with the car, the possibility of paint damage is minimal or none.
Touchless car washes – The cons
Not 100% perfect: In touchless car washes, your vehicle is cleaned with minimal or no contact; therefore, in cases, the dirt and grime are not entirely cleared off.
Causes water spots: Touchless car washes use blowers to dry the vehicle. Sometimes, incomplete drying can cause water spots on your car!
Use of harsh chemicals: Some touchless car washes use harsh and strong chemicals to get rid of the dirt. These harsh chemicals can make your paint look dull, and over time can even damage your car’s clear coat.
Hand car wash method
Are you someone who thinks car washes are bad for your car? Do you think a drive-thru car wash can damage your car’s appearance? Then, clean your vehicle using the hand car wash method. You can visit a hand car wash near you or use DIY handwashing techniques to clean your vehicle.
Hand car washes – The pros
Close to perfection: Unlike a drive-thru car wash, a human mind and body are what’s at work in the hand car wash method. Therefore the results are usually close to perfect.
Reach all spots: The hand car wash method lets you reach the nooks and crannies of a car that machines cannot reach. What’s more, for handwashing, all you need are a washing mitt, microfiber towels, and a water bucket.
Hand car washes – The cons
Can cause damage: Your car’s paint job can be damaged by the excessive scrubbing involved in hand car washes. Also, if you employ improper hand-washing techniques, you can cause scratches and swirl marks on your car.
Time-consuming: To get the best results, you need to spend a lot of time.
Water wastage: Hand car washing wastes a lot of water. You can save a lot of water by visiting drive-thru car washes near you.
We hope the detailed analysis of each method in this post will help you decide what’s best for your vehicle. You can also use websites and apps like Way to book top-rated and affordable car washes near you.
Renée Martin is a travel and car expert who focuses on road and air travel in the U.S. For the past 6 years, she’s been helping make driving and trip planning easier and budget-friendly for everyday travelers.
