Are automated car washes as risky as they sound?

[All Star]

My car is going to be covered until May while I'm at school...that is what it looks like now. It's not going to be above 29 degrees while I'm home, most likely too cold for the self service car washes.

What do? I can bring it back to my garage after washing for a nice wax job.

[KaBoom1701]

Hell yes!

Dont do it!

[All Star]

The alternative is let the salt eat my car from the inside out, unless I get another idea.

[Khmero215]

Hand wash it your self....automated washes destroys cars

[Jalberdi99]

Face the cold or get scratches on your car? Your call

[All Star]

What about touchless car washes? There's one about 20 minutes from me.

[2010 SSRS]

as long as it is a completely touchless car wash it will be fine, touchless car washes can't make scratches, here is the one I go to and never had any problems.

[Khmero215]

If you love your car, do it yourself

[SS ORANGE CRUSH SS]

I wash my car twice a week with touch less car washes. Still have paint ,,have a vert no leaks ,,,, and no scratches!!!!

[skibik]

Stay away from soft touch car washes. Unless you don't mind swirl marks. In the winter I use the touchless type so I can also use the undercarriage spray. The claim that car washes are bad is because the soap they use is more harsh than if you were to use a car shampoo and a bucket. It is because the soap they use is harder on the wax and diminishes it quicker. I would rather get the salt off my ride. I used a real decent wax this time on my new ride. Finish Kare FK1000P high temp wax. I put 2 coats on back in September and a 3rd coat early November and it has been through about 4 to 5 car washes in 2 1/2 months and the wax is still going strong.

Dean.

[Lil' Nasty]

Go to a touch less if you can but with going to a touch less car wash the chemicals are going to be harsh and most likely strip your wax because there is nothing agitating the car besides soap and water

[WiSSDiver]

Originally Posted by 2010 SSRS

as long as it is a completely touchless car wash it will be fine, touchless car washes can't make scratches, here is the one I go to and never had any problems.
Attachment 465651

These are (kind of ) ok if it's your only option and if you don't have any wax or sealant on your car now. If you do have access to a garage for afterwards, then I'd suggest a final clean up with a rinse less product followed up with a sealant and then a wax. Make sure you can get it clean and dry before you put any sealant or wax on it otherwise you'll scratch the $#|+ out of it.

Then put it away for the rest of the winter if you can.

Good luck

[ATX211]

Not sure what is running this time of year in Jersey, but you could also try to track down a hand wash, full service car wash. I am fortunate enough to have a really good one here, and they use proper products.

My only thought though if you are washing it to cover it in the garage is, it would probably be best to do it yourself in your driveway so you don't have to drive through salt after?

[poohdogger]

Just so you dont waste a good wax job....... Wax takes wax off there is no such thing as applying two caots of wax......