Keeping your car looking and feeling new is the number one way to preserve the value and length of its lifespan. Without washing and waxing your car, the paint will corrode quickly; and the older your vehicle is, the quicker the corrosion. Sun, rain, and almost every other weather condition can be harmful to your car’s paint. The best way to prevent this from happening is to wash and wax your vehicle regularly.

Ultimately, any hard object (including hard, old brushes) that creates friction with your car will contribute to future damage. However, any potential damage from a well-run car wash is far less significant than not washing it at all (that’s why it is important to visit the right type of wash). Depending on your location, dirt, acid rain, sap, salt, mud, or other contaminants will bind with the metal under the paint causing your paint to slowly fade until finally rusting away. Shortly put, washing your car avoids more damage than the alternative.

The key to preventing environmental damage is washing your car at least twice a month and even more if you live in an area with dirt roads, salty air, or somewhere they use salt on the highways.

Can Automatic Car Washes Damage My Car?

The type of car wash that you go to plays a large role in your vehicle’s longevity. For example, washes that have bristle brushes and hard water can potentially leave your car with scratches and water stains. Contrarily, a wash that uses cloth brushes and soft water (also known as distilled water) is more likely to leave your car with a flawless shine.

Features inside the tunnel of a car wash can vary greatly. Although you may pay a little more, the added benefits will prolong the life of your vehicle’s paint. Those features may include wax, ceramic coating, rain guard or paint protectant. These features are meant to create a coating over all the surfaces of your car’s exterior that is water resistant and protects against minor scratches and environmental contaminants. Meanwhile, the ceramic coating will bind with your car’s paint and creates a bond that increases its durability.

In cases of automatic car washes, you get what you pay for and the few extra dollars will go a long way in preserving your car’s exterior and keeping vents clean. That’s one reason why we specialize in soft water and brushes, with a side of extra protectant coating. For more information, stop by today.