You might be tempted to make a stop at a car wash on your way home if your car is starting to look a little worse for wear after a day of rain. But will running a car through a wash with paint protection harm it?
48 hours is usually enough time for the film to completely dry after installation, at which point you can wash the car.
Do using them to keep your car clean have any benefits or drawbacks? Is it preferable to hand wash your car at home or bring it in for regular detailing? In this article and the following few that will be published soon, we will address these queries. Let’s first examine the facts regarding automatic car washes.
What is An Automatic Car Wash Facility?
The idea that all automatic car washes are the same is a common misunderstanding in the world of auto detailing. It is simply untrue. In actuality, there are various automatic wash methods and facilities, each of which provides a unique means of removing debris from your vehicle.
In North America, touchless and friction-based automatic car washes are the two main varieties.
Touchless Car Wash
The touchless car wash has the best usability and is less likely to harm your car. When a driver pulls into a wash bay, the system automatically rolls over their stationary vehicle and washes it. This system typically uses an in-bay automated system. A few of these touchless car wash systems attach the wheels to a set of gears and a conveyor system to move the car through the touchless process, which occasionally includes an undercarriage wash.
Friction-Based Car Wash
The friction-based facility like those found at gas stations is the second type of automated car wash. In order to wash the surface, a number of industrial-strength spinning machines are utilized. These materials weren’t designed to be used with gentle pressure; they were made to be durable. Therefore, compared to a touchless or hand-wash system, there is a greater risk of swirl marks, paint chips, and other types of damage to the vehicle’s paint surface.
There are hybrid automated car wash facilities that combine friction and touchless cleaning methods. The detergents employed in these systems to wash the vehicle are the primary distinction. As opposed to touchless machines, the hybrid usually uses a lower pH car soap.
Since touchless machines rely on high-pressure water, the shampoo must have a higher alkaline content in order to remove contaminants, dirt, and debris from the surface. Hybrids can “scrub” the car clean with less abrasive soaps by using the wash wheel or strips.
What is a Tunnel Car Wash?
Gas stations and neighborhood car washes are where you’ll find the most common automated car wash facility. Because you’ll be driving the car through a tunnel (with the tires attached to a conveyor system), it’s simply called a tunnel car wash. In some commercial car wash facilities, your vehicle will go through a tunnel car wash before being hand dried or given a coat of protectant.
There are three types of tunnel car washes that are frequently found: express tunnels (which finish the entire washing and drying process), flex serve tunnels (which only wash the exterior of the car, typically using touchless techniques), and full-service tunnels (which also include applying paint protectant spray wax or sealants in a final, optional step).
Read More: Why Is My Car Smoking Under The Hood
How to Clean a Car With PPF
Avoiding rough brushes will help to keep your PPF and your car in good condition. But you can clean your car more thoroughly without causing harm.
1. Finish the Curing Process First
If you recently applied PPF, ceramic coatings, or other protective paint applications, give your car some time to rest. To help the film and coatings adhere to the surface of your car, wait 48 hours before washing it. The speed of this process can vary depending on temperature and humidity.
2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals While Washing
Harsh, industrial-grade chemicals are frequently used in automatic and touchless car washes to clean cars. These chemicals, however, have the potential to remove the barrier and expose the paint to the elements. Over time, your car’s paint may crack and flake, allowing rust to set in.
Use gentle soaps and washes made for your car instead to prolong the life of your protective coverings. Bird droppings and other caustic materials that endanger the paint on your car can be cleaned up using these methods.
3. Use the Right PSI for Your Water
While somewhat beneficial, touchless washes may use excessively high PSI or water with mineral deposits. When used too harshly, high-pressure washes can remove paint and barrier films.
Instead, try safely distanced handwashing with a pressure nozzle between 1200 and 1900. For compressed air, apply the same principle.
Will a Car Wash Damage Your Paint?
An automatic car wash can eventually harm your paint. The rough nature of the brushes used, which are made for cars of all sizes, will eventually deteriorate your paint protection film.
Although occasionally washing your car is generally not a problem, handwashing your car is much safer and makes it easier to maintain the protective film if your car has paint protection film.
A car wash’s abrasive effect won’t be immediately apparent, but over time, it will begin to affect how your PPF looks. In fact, there might be a few small blemishes on the movie.
Final Thoughts
Going through the car wash is typically not the best idea if your car has a protective film on it. As an alternative, carefully handwash it to prevent any scratches on your paint protection film.
FAQs
Can You Wash Your Car After Paint Protection?
Remember that the temperature and humidity can affect how long it takes for a paint protection film to completely cure, so it’s best to wait at least 48 hours before washing your car after it has received the protective coating.
How Do You Wash a Car After Paint Protection Film?
For seven days after application, avoid washing your car.
What Happens If You Take Ceramic Coated Car Through Car Wash?
Ceramic coating is resilient and can withstand an automatic car wash, but you should stay away from ones that use harsh chemicals and abrasive brushes. The ceramic coating and the paint on your car can both be harmed by both of these things. The best way to avoid rough brushing is to use touchless car washes.