While automatic car washes seem to be a quick and convenient way to clean your vehicle, they are often doing more harm than good. The average car owner is likely harming their vehicle's longevity and exterior by taking their vehicle through a high-speed wash tunnel week after week.
Let's look at the reasons why you should avoid automatic car washes, a necessary care you can make, ultimately for your vehicle.
Damage to your car's paintwork is one of the most frequent problems caused by automatic car washes. Many automatic car washes use large rotating brushes or long cloth strips, which become dirty over time because they aren't always cleaned as needed between cars. Once the dirty brushes have residual dirt and debris from another vehicle applied to your vehicle, and when they come into contact with the paintwork surface, the dirt (which you cannot see, often in small particles) scratches or creates swirl marks on the finish.
While automatic car washes can do a quick job rinsing and shining the body of your vehicle, they often miss key areas like the undercarriage, wheel wells, and behind mirrors. The dirt and grime don’t just accumulate on the body of your vehicle, but also these out-of-sight areas where they can create rust and corrosion over time.
Most automatic car washes utilise high-pressure water jets and very harsh detergents that can strip off the protective wax coating on your vehicle. This is important to understand because a wax coating is also the first layer of paint protection. A wax coating protects the vehicle's paint from UV rays, H2O, and contaminants. If the protective wax is gone, the paint surface is more susceptible to fading, oxidation, and other environmental impacts that will damage your vehicle.
Modern vehicles have advanced driver assistance systems that include cameras, sensors and radar units. These items are often located on the top or back of the bumpers, side view mirrors, or windshield. Automatic car washes with water jet sprays, intense pressure and rotating brushes - all of which may misalign or damage the systems, which can negatively impact the performance of the system you rely on.
A stain is often noted on a car after going through an automatic wash. These stains are caused by hard water that is mineral-rich and has not dried properly. In most washers, the automatic dryers do not remove water completely from the surface of the car, especially along the trims and seals. As the water evaporates, minerals are left behind. If you don’t remove them quickly, these minerals can damage your paint.
Getting an automatic car wash is quick and convenient, but you may be putting your car at risk of getting damaged. The speed and convenience of the automatic wash is not worth the risks, including everything from camera malfunctions and added scratches, and don't forget, the hidden costs are often greater than the apparent savings. Choose CARHEROZ to get professional car cleaning right at your doorstep, and most importantly, under the eye of expert professionals.
CARHEROZ uses eco-friendly products and high-quality materials. Our team utilizes top-notch cleaning agents and protective coatings to ensure long-lasting results without compromising on quality.
