So here’s a question we get asked often, especially if you’re a new car owner or you’re finally paying attention to your old one: can going through a car wash actually do damage to your paint?
The quick answer is… maybe. But it’s not just black or white.
Let’s talk about the automatic car wash first. The classic type where you drive into phase one and then sit back, listen to the thunderstorm inside the machine, and when your car comes back out of it in phase three, it’s sudsy and clean. They are very convenient, especially in the winter when you go outside the driveway and scrub salt off of your bumper with frozen hands. But right, these washes have a reputation of being kind of aggressive.
Some of them still use rotating brushes which, depending on cleanliness, can be more like sandpaper than a soft hug to your car. If they’re old, or packed with dirt and grit, or haven’t been changed or cleaned in the last hundred cars, they can leave scratches and swirl marks. And once you notice them, you’ll always see them, especially when the sun strikes your hood.
The good news is that modern vehicles come with a fairly resilient clear coat. This is basically a top layer of protection over the paint that is made to take a bit of a beating, including, to some degree, those brushes. So if your car isn’t already a disaster, one trip through a tunnel wash shouldn’t ruin your ability to take good pride in your paint.
That said, not all washes are created equal. Now let’s discuss your options:
Tunnel Car Washes (the ones with those big spinning brushes):
These will clean your car really well, but they can be the most abrasive. If you don’t care and just want the road grime off, they will do that. With that said, they are the ones most likely to leave marks on your finish.
Soft-Cloth Car Washes:
These are a little nicer and use long strips of soft cloth instead of bristles. Softer cloth will be better on your finish, but they can struggle with dirt if it is stuck on. Like, you know, if the dirt is stuck on so well that it would take a sponge to get off.
Touchless Car Washes:
These are probably the safest option in terms of not scratching your paint because nothing is making contact with your car other than high-pressure water and soap. However, if your car is dirty, you’re going to have a problem. Like, if the dirt is bug-guts-caked-in-it dirty, expect only a partway clean.
Hand Washes:
If you do this correctly, then it is the gold standard. You use soft cloths or mitts, the two-bucket method, proper drying, and all the other right things. This is glorious. However, let’s be honest. Finding the time to do this is a struggle. And if you end up using a crusty old sponge or you wash in direct sunlight, you may have the most difficult time not ruining your paint even with a hand wash.
So, there is no perfect option. There will always be trade-offs.
If you are going to go with automatic washes, here are a few things I have learned through the years:
Find a car wash that does not look… terrible.
If the brushes are gray and full of old soap suds, just keep driving! Find a car wash facility that actually washes their equipment.
Don’t go every week.
With a clear coat on your car, it can cause wear even if it’s being washed weekly. But there is no reason to do it every week. Most people can get away with washing their car once or twice a month.
Prepare your vehicle, at least a little.
If you have mud or gravel stuck inside your wheel wells, knock it off first. The grit can cause a sandblasting situation once it is caught in the brushes.
Close your windows.
I feel this is self-evident, but I made that mistake once. Trust me, don’t do it.
If possible, remove or fold in your side mirrors and antenna.
Some washes will have a sign that reminds you of this, but not all. Better safe than to have to explain to your mechanic why your side mirror looks like it went through a blender.
Look out for water spots.
Some automatic dryers are terrible. After you finish washing your vehicle, if you see marks or water spots, wipe it down with a microfiber cloth before they bake in under the sunshine.
So… is it worth worrying about?
If you have a brand-new car and you want it to stay looking sharp for a long time, you might want to be a little picky. Stick to touchless washes or try washing by hand every few weeks. However, if you have a ten-year-old Camry with 180,000 miles on it that already has paint that has seen better days, let the brushes pull the dirt off.
At the end of the day, a clean car will always feel better to drive than a dirty one, and most washes are not ruining your finish overnight, especially with all of the modern washes. Just be careful and use some common sense when choosing the type of wash you use.
Your paint will thank you. Or at least it won’t silently yell at you on sunny days.
