Are Automatic Car Washes Bad for Your Paint?

Usually not, as long as the wash is well maintained and your paint is in good shape. The real risks are dirty or worn equipment, harsh chemicals and loose parts, not the idea of a machine washing your car.

Dennis Taljan, director for automotive coatings at paint maker PPG, told Consumer Reports that modern finishes are durable enough for any type of wash, but that poorly maintained brushes or soft-cloth washes could cause problems, according to a 2020 MotorBiscuit report. That’s a useful way to think about it. The same type of wash can be fine at one location and rough at another.

Automakers are more cautious, and that’s worth hearing too.

What the owner’s manuals say

Manufacturers write for the worst case, and their advice varies a lot.

• Toyota: The 2013 Prius Plug-in manual warns that brushes in automatic washes may scratch the surface and harm the paint.
• Tesla: The Model Y manual says to use touchless automatic washes only, and states that damage caused by car washes isn’t covered by the warranty.

Check your own manual before you assume anything. Search the index for “car wash” or “cleaning the exterior.”

Where the damage really comes from

Dirty brushes and cloth

Consumer Reports warns that brushes in some automatic washes can trap dirt particles from other cars. Rub that across clear coat and you get fine scratches, which show up as swirl marks in the sun.

Rough contact

Contact washes can also be too forceful. A trade article in Professional Carwashing & Detailing notes that cloth applied too hard can damage mirrors, molding, antennas and other loose parts. That’s more about hardware than paint, but it’s the kind of damage people notice.

Harsh chemicals

Touch-free washes have to rely on stronger cleaners because nothing is scrubbing the car. The same trade source says harsher chemicals may damage some paint finishes. If you get a touchless wash every few days, keep an eye on how long your wax lasts.

High-pressure spray

A 2022 trade article lists pinstriping, wraps and convertible roofs among the things high-pressure nozzles may affect. Toyota’s manual also says not to let high-pressure wash nozzles get close to the windows.

Cutting corners

Consumer Reports’ Jon Linkov has warned that very cheap car washes may use dirty towels and old, harsh brushes, and rush your car through. A bargain price isn’t proof of a bad wash, but it’s a reason to look closely.

How to size up a wash before you pay

You can learn a lot in a minute, without leaving your car.

• Look at the brushes or cloth. They should look clean, not gritty, frayed or matted.
• Watch the car ahead of you. Is there a good soak and rinse before anything touches the paint?
• Check the towels, if there’s a hand dry. Dirty towels undo everything.
• Look at the site overall. A tidy bay and working equipment usually point to someone paying attention.
• Ask about upkeep. One 2022 trade article put brush replacement at about every 80,000 washes. You don’t need that exact number, but a good operator should be able to tell you when the wash media was last changed.

Before you pull in

A short routine prevents most avoidable problems.

1. Fold your mirrors and remove or retract any antenna. Toyota’s manual lists both.
2. Make sure the fuel door and any charging port lid are closed.
3. Close the windows and sunroof.
4. Turn off automatic wipers, or use your car’s wash mode if it has one. Tesla’s Car Wash Mode, for instance, closes the windows, locks the charge port and disables the wipers.
5. Tell the attendant about anything loose or aftermarket, like a roof rack or a spoiler.

When to skip the automatic wash

Some cars and situations are better off with a hand wash or a pro.

• Your manual says not to use that type of wash.
• Trim is loose, or the paint is peeling, chipped or freshly repaired.
• You have a wrap, pinstripes or a soft top. Ask your installer or check the manual.
• The car is caked in mud or sand. Rinse it off first at a self-serve bay so the wash isn’t dragging heavy grit around.

So which wash is safest?

No automatic wash is risk-free, and neither is a sloppy hand wash. Consumer Reports notes that touchless washes don’t always get a car fully clean, so there’s a tradeoff either way. For a side-by-side look, read touchless vs soft-touch and hand wash vs automatic.

The practical answer for most owners: pick a clean, well-run location, skip it if your manual says to, and look at your paint in direct sun now and then. If you start seeing new swirls after visits, try somewhere else. You can compare local car washes and detailers in the directory.