If you needed yet another reason to avoid drive-thru car washes...

[Nick@Adams]

Just a quick backstory:

Had to run to the local home improvement store this past weekend. Stopped to get gas when I was leaving, and the station had one of the drive-thru washes that so many of them have. As I filled up and was driving away, I couldn't help but notice the somewhat startling condition of the brushes in the wash bay:





Of course, the first thought that crossed my mind, and I'm sure the same as all of you, was "STAY AWAY!!!"

However, I have some prototype goods at home that need some testing. Because of this, I made a sacrifice for the greater good, and $8, much gnashing of teeth, and about 90 seconds of tears later, here is what my paint looked like in the bright sun later that day:





And the following morning in different light:








In the interest of full disclosure, my paint was not perfect before hand, but I'd say 95%+. Since the last correction, I've done 2 2-bucket washes and 3 Rinseless Washes on it. Being black, there was a light amount of wash damage that could be seen. However, the amount of damage that this single wash inflicted upon it was pretty shocking, wouldn't you agree?!?

[Downeast Johnny]

Agreed.

[ballincustoms]

Agreed I never go those cause they do cause damage to paint.

[chawkins6789]

I go through one 3x per week

[Akslowroller]

I use a touch less when I want a quick wash and in the winter I have no choice but to go through a regular car wash. And boy can you tell. I am afraid to try correcting the paint myself. But it needs some love

[weelo88]

i fel your pain, i live in an apartment and dont have the ability to handwash, however the automatic wash io go too is ran by a good friend, its fairly new and they swap all the wash fabics out monthly i think everytime i use it they look new but it still leaves marks