Car Washing too often? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

bevot9 · 10-28-2009, 11:20 PM

Can you wash your car too much???
Have a monthly pass to a car wash can it be bad for the paint?
Hopefully this isn't a stupid question.

talwell · 10-29-2009, 12:21 AM

An automatic car wash is bad - if it is a hand wash and they frequently use new towels and sponges you should be ok. Be very careful as most of them use very low paid under skilled workers that just do it to earn a days pay. They dont realize that debris can get caught in the cleaning device and scratch the hell out of your car. It really is best to use your own care to do it.

To answer your question as you asked it - no, washing your car too much is not harmful to the paint. It will not wear, fade or lose luster unless you are using a cleaning agent that is corrosive.

My car has only been hand washed and the moron at the car wash did not listen to the fact that I said soap and water only on the polished wheels - needless to say, he scratched 3 of the wheels with some brush they use to remove brake dust. The owner told me it was impossible to scratch them as they would never use a brush on them. When we reviewed the tape he saw me telling the washer 3 times not to use anything but soap and water on the wheels - a few minutes later he sees him going at the wheels with a brush. Now I have a years worth of free car washes on my truck to pay for the damage they did.

ihaveacamaro · 10-29-2009, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talwell

An automatic car wash is bad - if it is a hand wash and they frequently use new towels and sponges you should be ok. Be very careful as most of them use very low paid under skilled workers that just do it to earn a days pay. They dont realize that debris can get caught in the cleaning device and scratch the hell out of your car. It really is best to use your own care to do it.

To answer your question as you asked it - no, washing your car too much is not harmful to the paint. It will not wear, fade or lose luster unless you are using a cleaning agent that is corrosive.

My car has only been hand washed and the moron at the car wash did not listen to the fact that I said soap and water only on the polished wheels - needless to say, he scratched 3 of the wheels with some brush they use to remove brake dust. The owner told me it was impossible to scratch them as they would never use a brush on them. When we reviewed the tape he saw me telling the washer 3 times not to use anything but soap and water on the wheels - a few minutes later he sees him going at the wheels with a brush. Now I have a years worth of free car washes on my truck to pay for the damage they did.

damn im sorry that they did that to ur beautiful camaro :(

but atleast you have a year's worth of free car washes

Mod007 · 10-29-2009, 03:35 AM

I wash my car at least once a week and wax it once a month. I'd wash it more then once a week if my wife would let me.:upset:

chipsf16 · 10-29-2009, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mod007

I wash my car at least once a week and wax it once a month. I'd wash it more then once a week if my wife would let me.:upset:

Same here. Zaino must be loving me!

DC-SS · 10-29-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevot9

Can you wash your car too much???
Have a monthly pass to a car wash can it be bad for the paint?
Hopefully this isn't a stupid question.

If you are using the right products it is a good thing to wash your car lots...

Almost all mechanical car washes use a detergent that strips wax. They didn't intend for it to do so, they are just trying to use a little water as possible to remove as much dirt and grime as possible. If you use the right car soap it wont remove any wax you have on the car and you can add more wax to it. Eventually you will want to strip the wax, clay bar the car to remove water deposits (they discolor the wax), and then start waxing all over. I just wouldn't use a mechanical car wash to do it... Unless your car is "just a daily driver" to you... Then I would, lol. Maybe when I get a few door dings and scratches in my car I wont be so picky, lol.

mjlash22 · 10-29-2009, 09:32 AM

Hand wash as many times as you want to. Find a good car soap, cleaning mit/sponge, and a waffle weave microfiber drying towel and you're all set!

tradosaurus · 10-29-2009, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by talwell

An automatic car wash is bad - if it is a hand wash and they frequently use new towels and sponges you should be ok. Be very careful as most of them use very low paid under skilled workers that just do it to earn a days pay. They dont realize that debris can get caught in the cleaning device and scratch the hell out of your car. It really is best to use your own care to do it.

To answer your question as you asked it - no, washing your car too much is not harmful to the paint. It will not wear, fade or lose luster unless you are using a cleaning agent that is corrosive.

My car has only been hand washed and the moron at the car wash did not listen to the fact that I said soap and water only on the polished wheels - needless to say, he scratched 3 of the wheels with some brush they use to remove brake dust. The owner told me it was impossible to scratch them as they would never use a brush on them. When we reviewed the tape he saw me telling the washer 3 times not to use anything but soap and water on the wheels - a few minutes later he sees him going at the wheels with a brush. Now I have a years worth of free car washes on my truck to pay for the damage they did.

Wait they scratched your wheels and you took the offer of a years worth of free car washes?

I would have had him pay to fix the scratches or buy a new rim and then only hand washed my Camaro after that.

NO ONE will touch my car. And you can take that to the bank!

DetailAddict · 10-29-2009, 11:47 AM

wash your car often with the WRONG PROCESS would be bad. Otherwise, no...

Leo

NAHURRY · 10-29-2009, 05:14 PM

Everytime you wash and dry your car your risking putting swirls in it,even
with the 2 bucket method and the best wash and dry media out there.
Black dont lie!....Enjoy your cars though ,when you get alot of swirls and
scratches let a reputable detailer pollish them out, no biggee.

RedJewelrsss32 · 10-29-2009, 05:20 PM

Was washing my twice a week till I put her to bed for the winter.

nasty2ss · 10-29-2009, 05:24 PM

Have never washed my car and its 5 months old.Still afraid to get it wet.

Timberline · 10-29-2009, 08:31 PM

I wash mine once a week.

scythezo6 · 10-29-2009, 09:06 PM

Once a week for me. Any more than that is a bit much imo.

10-28-2009, 11:20 PM	#1
bevot9 Drives: Chevy Camaro 2LT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 27 View My Garage	Car Washing too often? Can you wash your car too much??? Have a monthly pass to a car wash can it be bad for the paint? Hopefully this isn't a stupid question.

10-29-2009, 03:35 AM	#4
Mod007 Drives: Camaro SS/RS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Austin TX, Posts: 475	I wash my car at least once a week and wax it once a month. I'd wash it more then once a week if my wife would let me.:upset: __________________ Camaro SS/RS Corsa Catback

10-29-2009, 09:32 AM	#7
mjlash22 Drives: 2007 Ford Fusion SE Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,440	Hand wash as many times as you want to. Find a good car soap, cleaning mit/sponge, and a waffle weave microfiber drying towel and you're all set! __________________ Ordered: 2LT/RS CGM, A6 1100 = Preliminary Order 10/1/09 2000 = Accepted By GM 12/31/09 3000 = Accepted By Production Control 1/7/10 (TPW: 2/1/10) 3400 = Broadcast 1/23/10 3800 = Produced 2/2/10 (2G1FC1EV6A9189068) 4150 = Invoiced 2/5/10 4200 = Shipped 5000 = Delivered To Dealer 6000 = Delivered To Customer

10-29-2009, 05:20 PM	#11
RedJewelrsss32 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Red Jewel Camaro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Helena Mt Posts: 423 View My Garage	Was washing my twice a week till I put her to bed for the winter. __________________ WHAT IS CAMARO? A small viscious animal that EATS mustangs!!! Delivered 9/17/09

10-29-2009, 08:31 PM	#13
Timberline Drives: 2010 SS/RS,LS3,M6,VR Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA-1 Posts: 259 View My Garage	I wash mine once a week. __________________ 2SS/RS, Victory Red, Black Leather, LS3, 6spd, Polished wheels - R6P -

10-29-2009, 12:21 AM	#2
talwell Drives: 1969 LS1 Camaro Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Staten Island Posts: 1,061	An automatic car wash is bad - if it is a hand wash and they frequently use new towels and sponges you should be ok. Be very careful as most of them use very low paid under skilled workers that just do it to earn a days pay. They dont realize that debris can get caught in the cleaning device and scratch the hell out of your car. It really is best to use your own care to do it. To answer your question as you asked it - no, washing your car too much is not harmful to the paint. It will not wear, fade or lose luster unless you are using a cleaning agent that is corrosive. My car has only been hand washed and the moron at the car wash did not listen to the fact that I said soap and water only on the polished wheels - needless to say, he scratched 3 of the wheels with some brush they use to remove brake dust. The owner told me it was impossible to scratch them as they would never use a brush on them. When we reviewed the tape he saw me telling the washer 3 times not to use anything but soap and water on the wheels - a few minutes later he sees him going at the wheels with a brush. Now I have a years worth of free car washes on my truck to pay for the damage they did.

10-29-2009, 11:47 AM	#9
DetailAddict Drives: . Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Santa Clara Posts: 461	wash your car often with the WRONG PROCESS would be bad. Otherwise, no... Leo

10-29-2009, 05:14 PM	#10
NAHURRY Love's to Detail Drives: 2010 SS,97silverado/08crewcab Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Greenville SC. Posts: 1,421	Everytime you wash and dry your car your risking putting swirls in it,even with the 2 bucket method and the best wash and dry media out there. Black dont lie!....Enjoy your cars though ,when you get alot of swirls and scratches let a reputable detailer pollish them out, no biggee.

10-29-2009, 05:24 PM	#12
nasty2ss Drives: 2010 camaro 2ss IOM Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: rochester ny Posts: 767	Have never washed my car and its 5 months old.Still afraid to get it wet.

10-29-2009, 09:06 PM	#14
scythezo6 Virologist in the making Drives: 2010 VR SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: El Paso TX Posts: 2,865	Once a week for me. Any more than that is a bit much imo. __________________ Victory Red 1SS/RS Ordered - 8/4/09 & Joined Camaro5.com family 6000, Delivered to the customer - 12/21/09

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