This might be a bit controversial.

[themechanic]

 

[T2R9]

I will take my work car through one but not any of mine. I'm sure a mud covered truck leaves plenty of crap for the next few vehicles to absorb.

 

[1965belvedere2]

during covid I drove my black lexus thru one of those Shell gas station car wash things, ended up with 4 long scratches the length of the car, bumper to bumper. After almost 4 months of fighting with Shell corporate they finally paid for the repair which was close to $1000. Needlesstosay I will not use those any more.

 

[Billccm]

Disclaimer: I have been using waterless car wash since 1992 on all of my cars including the daily drivers.

I don't remember which magazine it was but they caught quite a bit of backlash from the car wash industry. This was about 25 years ago. It might have been Consumer Reports. Anyhow, the article published explained that the worst thing you can do for your car's paint is used a automated car wash.

They actually used two late model Honda Accords. Over a three year period one car was running through the car wash twice a month and the other had no exterior wash whatsoever. Then both cars were taken to a detailer.

Clear coat delamination was noted on the car washed Accord. Also, the black trim, and even window gaskets showed degradation on that car. The detail shop had to fine polish to remove brush scratches, etc.

The ignored Accord was hand washed, hand polished with a cleaner wax, and looked like new.
BTW the city was Indianapolis.

The summary was that automatic car wash soap was very high in alkaline and caused the clear coat delamination. The soap also degraded the black plastic trim. In addition, the mechanical brushes definitely scratched the paint.

My opinion is water is not a great thing to put on a car. Sure caked mud and salt should be rinsed, but for my daily drivers I've very seldom needed the bucket and hose. When I sell my daily drivers at 10 years old or more I'm always asked who painted the car. When I sold my 18 year old LeBaron convertible I was asked who did the paint job. I replied "Lee Iacocca".

 

[themechanic]

My 2013 F150 still looks new. I park it outside under the carport and take it through the automatic car wash when there's no rain in the forecast.

I either hand wash the Challenger or use the touchless car wash without the brushes. Beware of these types of car washes because they have ti use soap strong enough to emulsify dirt without agitation.

 

[Hey-O]

I go through the same wash as they used in the video all the time, I have a monthly package. My Durango looks new and the paint looks perfect. It's white, for a reason, and the door jams, lift gate area are as clean as the day I bought it. I don't like dragging my pants across a nasty door opening. I've been doing this since I bought it, 7 years ago. I've never washed it by hand and I never will. My 65 gets washed by hand, for obvious reason. Washing a car by hand can damage it also. If you don't change the water continually and watch what you use to scrub it with, they can past small particles back on and rub it all around the paint on your car. I dry my 65 with a California surgical silicone blade and a twisted loop drying towel. I use a California car duster on it every time I get done driving it, before putting my car cover back on...........Car washes are better these days and so is paint technology. The rest is up to God.

 

[roadrunnerh]

I always hand wash every car I own. I never go through a car wash of any type.

 

[Don Frelier]

My classic cars are never washed.
Detailed with spray and microfiber towels only.

 

[WileE]

I could write a paragraph. But won't. One comment "most new cars made in the last 10-15 years have clearcoat" Duh... how about the last few DECADES....

 

[Photon440]

Yes, my 1995 neon (nitro yellow green) had clear-coat.