Thread: Automatic car washes

So as the title says are automatic car washes okay? My water at home sucks it's very hard and leaves a residue. Would an auto car wash be alright? I plan on using the car wash then clay barring then polishing then waxing then doing a clear/protective layer. Or should I just use the self service bay? Ps I live in a very small town and am friends with the owners of the wash so I know the days it's cleaned and what soaps and stuff are used!

They are fine.

I go through the touchless wash all the time during the winter.

But a self serve wash is alot better, just don't brush your car with the wands they have there. Lots of dirt in them and can scuff up the paint. Just bring your own scrub sponge and do it then wash it off.

Also it's a touch less wash

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

They are fine.

I go through the touchless wash all the time during the winter.

But a self serve wash is alot better, just don't brush your car with the wands they have there. Lots of dirt in them and can scuff up the paint. Just bring your own scrub sponge and do it then wash it off.

Alright thanks! I just didn't want to hurt my baby.

I have hard water and wash my car just fine, The trick is dont do it in the sun.

touch less car washes usually suck, cause its touch less. its pretty much the same as hosing your car off. dirt's still there unless you wipe it off with a soapy mitt, or the auto car wash felt strips and such.


and those self serve joints never use that soap brush its always on the ground and the bristles are not straight up most of time, all worn out and split like a mustache.

and drying your car with a chamois will help you not get water spots. and help avoid swirl marks. towels give you swirl marks, so dont use a old bath towels to dry your car.

If you want swirls and scratches in your paint then by all means got through the auto car wash or self wash place.. like Scotty said those brushes prob have so much dirt and crap in them your just scratching your paint

.. do it right and self wash... As for hard water just buy a filter for the hose and your good to go!

.. just noticed Fivefinger's post about using the water only and not the brush from the self serve place.. that I fine as well

Yeah those brushes swirl REAL NICE, ask me how I know. I'll wash the car with high pressure soap for a min or so let the time run out then. Wash with sponge thing. Rinse then spotless rinse

I either wash by hand or a take it to the self service to at least spray off the gunk then go home and use a rinse less wash.. Automatic car washes will never see my car.

Autos are good for winter if they have an undercarriage wash.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

touch less car washes usually suck, cause its touch less. its pretty much the same as hosing your car off. dirt's still there unless you wipe it off with a soapy mitt, or the auto car wash felt strips and such.


and those self serve joints never use that soap brush its always on the ground and the bristles are not straight up most of time, all worn out and split like a mustache.

and drying your car with a chamois will help you not get water spots. and help avoid swirl marks. towels give you swirl marks, so dont use a old bath towels to dry your car.

The touchless washes here are pretty awesome. Sure they aren't handwash awesome, but they do a good job of getting the car clean.

Idk what this winter is that you speak of.

haha ya we dont have to worry about all that stupid salt on the roads messing up the undercarriage

The auto was near me is great for the winter. Has an undercarriage wash, is touchless, and a dryer that you can slowly roll under for a minute. I just bring a microfiber towel with me and get the left over drops. I think it does a great job. Doesn't get in the little crevis like a handwash but does a great job and doesn't damage the car at all.

Originally Posted by REDCOMPG

I either wash by hand or a take it to the self service to at least spray off the gunk then go home and use a rinse less wash.. Automatic car washes will never see my car.

A good way to do it.

if you know the owner of the self service bay in a small town, you have got a real nice heated shop for the winter. be sure to put some cardboard over the drain. I had a "friend" who used one as a heated garage almost every night one winter in WI.

you will still want to use an automatic for the undercariage wash. how cold does it get in your part of Indiana? are you going to wash it outside in the middle of winter?

No will not wash during the winter and with this freak weather lowest has been -14