Car Wash; Too Often?

[mis3]

My friend bought a car wash card from PetroCanada and he washes his car 3-4 days a week (mixed soft cloth and touchless). The outside temp is around -10c lately locally.

Is 3-4 times excessive? I am concerned about the trims and the water which goes inside the door panels, etc.

[davey g-force]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Is it an automatic car wash?

My only concern would be instilling swirls / scratches.

But yeah, 3-4 times per week does sound a bit OTT. Does he know he can do waterless washing in between weekly car washes?

[mis3]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Yes, automatic car wash.
He does not even wax his car but likes to keep the car clean during the winter months.

[JGdetailing]

I use to work with someone like he would wipe the dew off his vehicle in the morning before he goes to work. He doesn't realize that you are probably making scratches on the paint. And he would clay it like every other week.

[Blueline]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Yes, automatic car wash.
He does not even wax his car but likes to keep the car clean during the winter months.

PetroCanada cars washes are not paint friendly, even their soft cloth. If he is using that to make his vehicle look clean, but not taking care of it otherwise (like waxing), he really doing more damage then necessary. If he thinks spending the money on car washes, but not on clay, polish, wax, and elbow grease, then to use an old saying, he is being a penny wise and a pound foolish.

And yes...3 -4 times a week is excessive. Unless he has had it rust proofed (Rust Check or Krown) the car never really gets dry. Wet/damp = Rust, not to mention swirls upon swirls upon swirls.

[Evan.J]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Not to mention all the harsh soaps that I am sure are used in the washing process.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

PetroCanada cars washes are not paint friendly, even their soft cloth. If he is using that to make his vehicle look clean, but not taking care of it otherwise (like waxing), he really doing more damage then necessary. If he thinks spending the money on car washes, but not on clay, polish, wax, and elbow grease, then to use an old saying, he is being a penny wise and a pound foolish.

And yes...3 -4 times a week is excessive. Unless he has had it rust proofed (Rust Check or Krown) the car never really gets dry. Wet/damp = Rust, not to mention swirls upon swirls upon swirls.

While we can't speak directly to the equipment used by this particular chain of car washes, the rest of Blueline's comments are pretty much spot on - we think this is excessive as well, for all the same reasons.

[wifpd4]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

I can kinda relate to this frequent washing this winter. The city has started using fly ash (cinders) on the streets this winter as city budgets are busting apart keeping up with salt supplies and repairing broken water mains. My car is never clean and by the time I wash the car either at a automatic car wash or hand wash at the shop and drive home it's covered in fly ash and salt residue. The only time to wash and make it home with a sort-of-clean car is when the temperature is sub-zero and the streets are frozen solid. I'm complaining and I don't even live where it's cold !!

So while the undercarriage of my car is rarely dry from washing the car or wet from slush and snow, washing 3-4 times a week seems excessive, but I do understand.

[mis3]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Actually, most of my friends are like this. They would go for automatic car washes but never wax their cars. Especially the people who leases their car for 2-3 years, they do not see the need to spend the time to detail their cars.

Of course, this does not apply to the forum members here.

Coming from a guy who used to wash the car using dishwashing liquid, I have learned so much from this forum. My car (Mercedes) is almost 10 years old and it drives great and looks great. This car is well maintained by Meguiars products since new.

[billddrummer]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Sounds like he'd be better off washing less often and waxing once a month or so.

[mis3]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Sounds like he'd be better off washing less often and waxing once a month or so.

Not the same work effort. Automatic car wash takes 5 minutes without physical labour while waxing (after washing) takes at least an hour.

Also, some automatic car washes claim to have wax capability. I personally never tried it so not sure if this is true.

[billddrummer]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Not the same work effort. Automatic car wash takes 5 minutes without physical labour while waxing (after washing) takes at least an hour.

Also, some automatic car washes claim to have wax capability. I personally never tried it so not sure if this is true.

I've seen that as well, but I believe it's just a hook to get you to spend more money at the car wash.

Can't see how a spray on 'wax' can provide anywhere near the protection a hand applied wax layer does.

[Detailing by M]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

..... a spray on 'wax' can provide anywhere near the protection a hand applied wax layer does.

How much wax do you think is actually left on a car? paste or spary the wax left on a car is a microscopic layer. D156 is the best wax on the market today.
Granted an automatic car wash won't use 156 but to say a spray wax isn't good is false.
wax is wax put it on your car either by hand, mechiane or auto wash just get it on your paint.

Back to the OP post: Washing a car 3-4 times a week will destroy a car, period

[billddrummer]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

How much wax do you think is actually left on a car? paste or spary the wax left on a car is a microscopic layer. D156 is the best wax on the market today.
Granted an automatic car wash won't use 156 but to say a spray wax isn't good is false.
wax is wax put it on your car either by hand, mechiane or auto wash just get it on your paint.

Back to the OP post: Washing a car 3-4 times a week will destroy a car, period

Thanks for the comment.

I did not say spray wax wasn't good. I said I didn't see how it could provide as much protection as a hand applied wax layer.

[mis3]

Re: Car Wash; Too Often?

Back to the OP post: Washing a car 3-4 times a week will destroy a car, period

Yes, this is my question. How washing too much would destroy a car? Is it worse in the winters?