Winter Maintenance Struggle
Why Touchless & Automatic Car Washes Are Actually Hurting Your Vehicle
When winter hits, many drivers rely on touchless or automatic car washes, assuming they’re the safest and most convenient option.
The reality? They’re often doing more harm than good and barely cleaning your car in the first place.
Touchless Car Washes: “Safe” for Paint, Dangerous Everywhere Else
Touchless washes avoid brushes by using extremely harsh chemicals to break down dirt and salt. That’s the problem.
What those chemicals actually do:
Strip wax, sealants, and ceramic protection
Dry out rubber seals and plastic trim
Accelerate paint fading and oxidation over time
Still fail to fully remove salt buildup
Leaves a film of chemicals behind on glass
Because there’s no physical contact, touchless systems rely on high-alkaline and acidic detergents strong enough to compensate and your vehicle takes the hit. They clean just enough to look acceptable, not enough to protect your car.
Automatic Brush Washes: Scratches You Can’t Undo
Automatic washes with spinning brushes might remove more grime, but they come with a permanent cost.
Here’s what those brushes are really doing:
Grinding dirt and debris from previous cars into your paint
Creating deep swirl marks and micro-scratches
Dulling clear coat with every wash
Even “soft touch” brushes are never clean - they hold sand, salt, and grit from hundreds of vehicles daily.
Once your clear coat is scratched, no wash fixes it. Polishing or a full on paint correction becomes the only solution which can become costly.
Why Your Car Still Looks Dirty After an Automatic Wash
Ever notice:
Salt residue still on panels?
Dirty rocker panels and wheel wells?
Film left on paint and glass?
That’s because automatic washes are designed for speed, not thoroughness.
They don’t:
Agitate stubborn winter grime
Properly clean wheels and brake areas
Safely dry your vehicle
What you’re left with is a car that looks “less dirty” — not actually clean.
Professional Hand Washing: The Only Real Solution in Winter
A proper winter wash requires:
Safe, pH-balanced chemicals
Physical agitation
Controlled drying to prevent freezing
This is something automated systems simply cannot do.
When done correctly, hand washing:
Removes salt completely
Preserves paint condition and protection
Extends vehicle lifespan
Prevents costly long-term damage
The Bottom Line
Touchless and automatic car washes:
Don’t properly remove salt
Strip protection and scratch your paint
Create long-term damage for short-term convenience
If you’re washing your car to protect it, these systems miss the mark.
Your vehicle deserves more than a rinse designed for speed and volume — especially in winter.
Our Winter Services Help Take Away This Stress
Get in contact with us to find out more about our winter services that are not only gentle on your car - but your wallet as well.
