Car Washes

[Grandpappy]

Do car washes damage the paintwork of a car and if so can it be 'undone' afterwards with some cosmetics application?
I've just got the car a month ago! Don't suppose the issue will matter this time next year!
Thanks for any advice.

[EDDIE51]

No car washes do NOT damage the paintwork ! If they did no one would use them !

[bainbrig]

Hand car washes probably do more scratching.

But seriously, why bother washing a car? (Except for the glass and lights, what’s it matter?)

[douglas9401]

Yes they can damage the finish and yes, generally it can be restored with all kinds of potions and tools, for a fee.

[woofgang]

I don't have this problem. Apart from at the once a year service who do it for free, God washes my car.

[ummmm]

Yes they can damage the paintwork.

[TonyV]

I do my own with foam wash then jet washer.

[Zacs-Master]

There are some nice Eastern European gentlemen near me who do a fair job for £6.

[Bazile]

What do you get for 6 guid ,ZM?

[TonyV]

If I can't be bothered local car wash do inside and out for £10

[maggiebee]

My local car wash uses hot foam and rinses and waxes. All done by machine so no brushes etc touch the paintwork. Bargain at £6, pound extra if you want a chammy dry. Run by Eastern Europeans and always busy.

[Zacs-Master]

I get:
Spray with muck loosner/jet wash/hand sponge soap/jet wash/dry off/inside of doors cleaned.

[Bazile]

I can't be bothered to do it myself

My local will do a mini valet -

Wash / wax/ vacuum / clean ,polish inside / tyre shine /wash mats

Throw in an air freshener and then take 10 folding off me

[gingejbee]

Depends what you mean by damage...you'll get lots of "micro-scratches" which, over time, will show up...particularly in sunlight.
Mind you, handwashing also causes the same damage, unless it's done properly. Using a jet-washer with snow-foam, handwashing with a microfibre washmitt, rinsing and drying with a microfibre drying towel will minimise the surface marks. (Professional valeters never use sponges, brushes or chamois leathers to keep the original paintwork looking like new...always microfibre products).
And, yes, I'm a bit OCD about car paintwork!

[bhg481]

Some car manufacturers state that you shouldn't use a car wash for the first few months in the life of a new car - check your handbook.

[bainbrig]

Woofgang: me an' all.

[woofgang]

yup bb he/she has his/her uses :)

[Grandpappy]

Going with Woofgang-seems the best option.

[bainbrig]

Car cleaning seems to be a thing Real Men do, or are interested in. Or am I wrong?

[bhg481]

In my case, car cleaning is a thing that tight men do; men who can do something themselves rather than paying someone else to do. In my case it's limited to the outside of the car; cleaning the inside is women's work.

[Ryzen]

I saw one a few years back and the screen wiper from the previous car became tangled in the brushes....the next car through needed a bit of 'tlc' to restore the finish.