Automatic Car Washes In Sacramento. Why They Do More Bad Than Good.
The first (new) car I ever bought was my Tesla Model 3. Great federal and state incentives, plus local rebates for Sacramento residents helped to make my decision. Similar to many first time car owners, I tried my best to take care of it by getting it cleaned regularly. A monthly membership for Sacramento’s Quick Quack cost me $25 and allowed for unlimited car washes. However, it wasn't until I got my car professionally detailed, to where I understood the damage caused by automatic car washes (primarily friction based washes).
Swirls on black paint after being improperly washed.
The company that detailed my car did a fantastic job. I had my car washed, clay treated, and waxed, right in my driveway. The technician advised me that, while drive-thru car washes remove dirt and grime, the risk of scratching and swirling is almost guaranteed when going through an automatic car wash. Although advertised as “soft touch”, the bristles from the machine should be compared to scrubbing your car’s paint with a dirty mop (that has also been used on hundreds of other cars within the last week). These swirl marks are permanent, only removed through a process called paint correction (often costing upwards of $1000). While there is not a guaranteed method of washing to avoid surface swirls, here are some do’s and don'ts to washing your car at home.
While we offer paint correction services, we hope that your car will never need it!
Why automatic car washes do more bad than good:
Vehicle damage: Aside from swirling and scratching the clear coat, automatic car washes have been known to chip away at paint and bend items fixed to a car, such as the license plate and/or antennas.
Low short term cost. High long term cost: While $10 may be a low cost of entry to a clean car, long term damage will hurt your wallet. Vehicles with exterior damage command lower resales values than vehicles without!
Permanent Spotting: Water spots are a common occurrence in both friction based and touchless automatic washes. Since these wash methods do not provide a proper way of drying, minerals in the water and chemicals in the soap can bind to your vehicle’s surface, leaving behind permanent damage to the paint. If you wash your car in Sacramento, check out some alternatives here.
Lack of Maintenance & Training: Malfunctioning equipment, conveyor belt accidents, unwashed bristles, and a lack of staff training cause thousands, if not hundreds of thousands in damage every year.
In short, avoid automatic car washes and get your car washed properly if you can. Express hand or touchless washes help avoid some of the problems listed above, but neither guarantees an expert level of care. Getting your car professionally detailed ensures a necessary level of car, while also preserving your vehicle (and wallet) in the long term. While there are many great ways to wash your car, we hope you turn to us when booking your next mobile detail in Sacramento!
