Carwash vs. Handwash

I was wondering how bad it is for the paint to go through a carwash. Does it make scratches? I know that when you get dirt on an applicator when waxing you can make scratches on the clear coat creating swirl marks. Carwashes probably have a good amount of dirt from 100 car washes a day.... Tell me what you think...

Thank you ahead of time for replying.

-Brian

I use a car wash, just keep a a few good coats of wax on the car and you will be fine.

The #1 cause of fine scratches and micromarring of your paint is dirt in your wash water or washing utensils.
So while car washes are convenient, inexpensive and fairly quick, you do run the risk of these types of scratches. I'm sure most car washes understand this and try their best to keep their rags and brushes clean. But their goal, in the end, is really quantity not quality. And even if you were sure your car wash was fairly clean, would you want your car to go through right after the Ford F150 that just came back from the river and is covered in mud? Probably not.

If you have to go through a car wash then try to use the ones that are the hand wash types. These are a bit better because they don't use the heavy water soaked bushes. But even these should be used with caution if a scratch free ride is your goal.

The best thing for that perfect paint is washing yourself. Here you are in absolute control. You know your water is clean, your towels are clean and that you've dried thoroughly. And your also in control of what products you use, not just what the car wash can buy for the cheapest amount.

You can also hire a professional detailer if time is a problem. A good detailer knows how to get that perfect wash and perfect shine. They'll cost more than a car wash, but you'll get far better results.

Now while it is true that wax does act as a type of protectant for your paint, it is still just wax. (Take a knife to a candle... it cuts right though it.) Wax is meant to keep out and protect your paint from such things as oxidation or organic matter in rain but not abrasive materials.

What about brushless, touchless washes?

One thing to watch in these touchless/brushless washes is the chance of damage from the water pressure being too high. I cannot take my van through one of these anymore because twice I have had the headlight lenses ripped off the vehicle. Any vehicle with loose trim or anything added on runs the risk of damage, especially as the vehicle gets older. I now wash my van by hand or use a self service wash in between washing it at home.

Yeah, I'd stick to the old-fashioned way of the bucket and a good chamois. Even a soft terry cloth towel will put light scratches in a car when drying it. I use one chamois (real or synthetic) or a soft sponge to wash, and one chamois to dry- definitely one to dry.

I handwash in the summer/spring time.I go to the car wash fall/winter to get the salt off my car and all that.I dont like car wash places because it all about making money and doing more cars in a day then getting the 1's you have clean.Always remember the if you clay and wax you car it will always look better clean.Also tips on getting you windows clean for all the diy's out there.Newpaper works wonders on windows.
Scoot

self serve seems to be the best.

that, or your own your own pressure washer.

its quick and pretty effective especially in the winter when, IMO, it is not worth it to do a complete overhaul seeing how your car will just get sandy/salty in a day or two anyways.

i usually just put a couple of coats of wax on before the first snow, other than that, its weekly pressure washes until winter is over.

One thing to watch in these touchless/brushless washes is the chance of damage from the water pressure being too high. I cannot take my van through one of these anymore because twice I have had the headlight lenses ripped off the vehicle. Any vehicle with loose trim or anything added on runs the risk of damage, especially as the vehicle gets older. I now wash my van by hand or use a self service wash in between washing it at home.

Hand washing the proper way will help prevent scratches and swirls better than any drive-thru wash and even though touchless washes are usually better than the slapping and spinning brushes they often use recycled water with poor filteration. I use a touchless before a detail on my personal vehicles to remove dirt under the chasis as well as deep in the wheel wells where dirt can easily get caught. Drying with chamois is not the greatest method either and very old school..the safest way is to first flood the finish, which will remove most of the water and the use a Waffle Weave microfiber towel for blotting and then a plush microfiber towel with a quick detailer for final drying.
I get my microfiber here: http://www.poorboysworld.com/microfiber.htm
and www.premiumautocare.com

My friends have all been using this new product, called Driwashnguard, its a waterless carwash product, and protects as well as polishes your car, all at once.. I have seen it in action and it really gives the car an excellent result. Also, it removes and lifts dirt particles off the car, without actually scratching them into the paint.

Has anyone else tried it out?

Check it out, the website is www.driwash.com.au/aqs (http://www.driwash.com.au/aqs)

Hi guys,

Nice post by the way. I have been using this product for almost 6 months.

About 6 months ago I got my car resprayed . A mate referred me to this product called Dri Wash’n Guard Waterless car wash. As the name goes it washes the car without any water... I was a bit skeptical at first, as I thought it would scratch the car but my mate guaranteed that it wouldn’t. So I used it and I have found it to be unbelievable!

It washes, polishes and UV protects the paint every time you clean the car. And more importantly it does so without scratching and it also has a special ingredient or something, which repels dust and dirt. I dont have any swirl marks, or fine scrathes that the conventional method of washing produces, which was my goal from the start.

I bought it from this site: www.driwash.com.au/aqs (http://www.driwash.com.au/aqs) I absolutely recommend it. So i guess in response to brianatcmm's post firstly i recommend to not go through the carwashes and secondly dont use the conventional method i.e. sponge and chamois to avoid fine scratches and swirl marks.

Let me know how you go.

Jim.

Hi guys,

Nice post by the way. I have been using this product for almost 6 months.

About 6 months ago I got my car resprayed . A mate referred me to this product called Dri Wash’n Guard Waterless car wash. As the name goes it washes the car without any water... I was a bit skeptical at first, as I thought it would scratch the car but my mate guaranteed that it wouldn’t. So I used it and I have found it to be unbelievable!

It washes, polishes and UV protects the paint every time you clean the car. And more importantly it does so without scratching and it also has a special ingredient or something, which repels dust and dirt. I dont have any swirl marks, or fine scrathes that the conventional method of washing produces, which was my goal from the start.

I bought it from this site: www.driwash.com.au/aqs (http://www.driwash.com.au/aqs) I absolutely recommend it. So i guess in response to brianatcmm's post firstly i recommend to not go through the carwashes and secondly dont use the conventional method i.e. sponge and chamois to avoid fine scratches and swirl marks.

Let me know how you go.

Jim.

Dri-Wash really sucks...and it is really for stupid people who really don't understand that you don't clean and seal a car in one step. Where do you think the dirt is going? You are trapping it into the surface and sealing it.
There are plenty of other waterless washes out there that do what they say,
"Waterless WASH" ...after a surface is perfectly clean you put on a wax or sealant. Most people who recommend the stuff are usually pimps for the product, since it's a multi-level pyramid scheme they just try to suck you into become a dealer and then pimp it on someone else. That's how they justify the extremely high price for their product.

Dri-Wash really sucks...and it is really for stupid people who really don't understand that you don't clean and seal a car in one step. Where do you think the dirt is going? You are trapping it into the surface and sealing it.
There are plenty of other waterless washes out there that do what they say,
"Waterless WASH" ...after a surface is perfectly clean you put on a wax or sealant. Most people who recommend the stuff are usually pimps for the product, since it's a multi-level pyramid scheme they just try to suck you into become a dealer and then pimp it on someone else. That's how they justify the extremely high price for their product.
There is no need to criticise a product that people are choosing to clean their car with. Did anybody criticise the product that you use? All my friends use DriWashnGuard and love it. Also, you should be looking at the result of the product, not how expensive it is.

What are you talking about a pyramid scheme? I haven't enforced anyone to become a distributor.

Now who's the pimp.

There is no need to criticise a product that people are choosing to clean their car with. Did anybody criticise the product that you use? All my friends use DriWashnGuard and love it. Also, you should be looking at the result of the product, not how expensive it is.

What are you talking about a pyramid scheme? I haven't enforced anyone to become a distributor.

Now who's the pimp.


If the end result can be harmful or done less expensive then cost and potential damage does matter. If you are selling the products, then YOU ARE THE PIMP!!
ON THESE BOARDS IT'S CALLED SPAM ...A BIASED REVIEW FOR THE END RESULT OF PROFIT!!

Dri-Wash really sucks...and it is really for stupid people who really don't understand that you don't clean and seal a car in one step. Where do you think the dirt is going? You are trapping it into the surface and sealing it.
There are plenty of other waterless washes out there that do what they say,
"Waterless WASH" ...after a surface is perfectly clean you put on a wax or sealant. Most people who recommend the stuff are usually pimps for the product, since it's a multi-level pyramid scheme they just try to suck you into become a dealer and then pimp it on someone else. That's how they justify the extremely high price for their product.

Hi Antonio,

Have you used the DriWash Waterless car wash product before?

I think it is you who doesnt understand the product. My friend who introduced it to me, owns his own Panel beater business and has been in the automotive industry for over 25 years. The main reason I went with the product was because i trusted his professional opinion. Are you a professional in the automotive industry? :screwy:

At the end of the day, I have used it for 6 months, I dont have any scratches on my car and im always receiving comments on how clean and shiny it looks. For me the proof is in the pudding, all I was saying was try it before you disregard it. Oh and I dont think AUS$5 is expensive for washing, polishing, and UV protecting your car, do you?

Regards,

Jim.

Hi Antonio,

Have you used the DriWash Waterless car wash product before?

I think it is you who doesnt understand the product. My friend who introduced it to me, owns his own Panel beater business and has been in the automotive industry for over 25 years. The main reason I went with the product was because i trusted his professional opinion. Are you a professional in the automotive industry? :screwy:

At the end of the day, I have used it for 6 months, I dont have any scratches on my car and im always receiving comments on how clean and shiny it looks. For me the proof is in the pudding, all I was saying was try it before you disregard it. Oh and I dont think AUS$5 is expensive for washing, polishing, and UV protecting your car, do you?

Regards,

Jim.


Oh yea I have tried it and many other similar products...I suppose my level of detailing (mostly Ferrari's) and your daily driver are of different standards.
You simply don't understand that the cleaning , polishing and sealing steps are to be done seperately. Again where do you think the dirt is going? Do you think it magically disappears into your cloth and the only thing left behind is a silicone protectant. then my friend use it as you will and when you body man needs to do repairs and the paint peels off, just remember who told you.
and yes other waterless wash products will do the same work at 1/5 the price per wash. Try www.waxit.com.au for some quality products in your country.

wait isnt AUS$5 like 3 or 4 US dollars?

Hello, yes $5 Australia, is equivalent to about 3 or 4 US dollars.. so it is very cheap.

Check out the website if you would like further information about the products.

Hello, yes $5 Australia, is equivalent to about 3 or 4 US dollars.. so it is very cheap.

you just don't see the point :doh It's not about the cost it's about doing it right...you just don't clean and seal a finish in one step...it's STUPID !!!!!
WHERE DO YOU THINK THE DIRT IS GOING?

After doing some research in your country...try going to www.waxit.co.au and trying some of the Poorboy's Spray and Wipe. It cleans the finish at about 1/3 of the cost of your Dri-Wash per use, and then leaves you a CLEAN finish to put on a wax or sealant.

i Always handwash just the mustang and hummer but the truck is fine, i put the truck through the car wash. I dont use buffers for if there was and little dirt it would kill the paint.. i rinse it over.. wash it will a brush and soap.. then dry it with shammies.