Here's Why AUTOMATIC CAR WASHES Might Not Be So Bad After all! | Expensive Car + Brushes = ??!?!
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- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
- If your car just needs a rinse, are automatic car washes THAT bad?!
Automatic car washes have a very bad reputation in the car enthusiast community. But is everything we are afraid of true? Today, I discuss some of the concerns people have with taking their cars through automatic, non-brushless carwashes. Then, I put my money where my mouth is and take my Dodge Challenger Hellcat through the car wash to see how it is!
This car wash was fully funded by me.
Thanks for watching!
‘Like’ me on Facebook: / elliottalviscars
#CarWash #Brushes #Hellcat - Авто та транспорт
Been taking my ‘19 Scat Pack thru my local one. Paint is still just as nice as the day I got it, minus the normal scratches and rock chips from being a daily. No swirling or hazing. Ever since the industry changed away from the mop/plastic brushes, it’s perfectly fine.
Thank you for this ! I just started using one. Gives me some relief
Just wanted to say I love watching your videos. You're gonna be a big name on UA-cam real soon! keep up the great content brotha!
Mr. Do and Mr. Don't both have dirty cars. Mr. Do spends his weekends carefully handwashing, using multiple buckets, and a finish rinse of deionized water. He gloats over his clean, shiny ride for about a day, and then it's dirty again. Mr. Don't has an unlimited membership at the automatic carwash that may or may not scratch his vehicle beyond recognition but at the end of the day his vehicle stays clean & shiny and he gets to play golf, fish, hunt, spend time with his hot wife, anything besides slaving over a vehicle that's going to stay dirty 6 out of 7 days if he does like Mr. Do. My red Ram loves the auto car wash. Black will be high maintenance no matter what one does. Fortunately, we each get to choose. Long live gas gas guzzling big block v-8 automobiles with cool paint jobs and the variety of people who own and love them.
Most tunnel style car washes, you can ask for a "full wrap retract" and that keeps the spinning brushes away from the car
Brushes are what clean… don’t pay for a rinse…
I go to an automatic car wash with my brand new Hydro Blue Ram w/ 20” MOPAR rims. The paint looks as good as it ever has, and not a single scratch on the wheels. Some nice things about the wash I go to (Wash’n’Roll in Austin) are they have complimentary hand drying and really nice paint sealer and PPO tire dressing. Along with the free vacuums, they also include free clean microfiber rags and high pressure blowguns for blasting nooks and crannies dry like what you have in the engine bay.
Edit: for the record I did have PermaPlate applied before the odometer turned a single mile, and I put Turtle Wax Seal and Shine wax on by hand every month or 2.
Wow. This is really good looking content. Well edited. Well produced. Very professional and interesting. I wish I had that much skill. As an avid detailer, I've been wondering about how bad it actually is. I think the best advice was every now and then. Twice a week unlimited washes you will get marring. But it's crazy to think that every now and then it will completely destroy the paint, especially if you religiously keep a good coating on it.
Totally agree Tim. Thanks for watching!
Oh my goodness, an automatic car wash!!! At least the modern ones are better than the original ones & are fun to take a kid thru. Love your Hello Kitty tee shirt!! I know, Hello Kitty for the Hell Kat!! 😷
Cats rule!
ua-cam.com/video/9VbA2eJu80w/v-deo.html
Lol @ the super deep "on no", and when you said "oh my God" like Bob from Bob's Burgers!!
Haha, I never noticed I sounded like Bob there!
Thank you so much for making this video!!
ua-cam.com/video/9VbA2eJu80w/v-deo.html
What an outstanding video! You really busted every common myth and rumor and backed it up with evidence!
Thank you so much, I will certainly use this video as a resource for others in the future!
Thank you! That means a lot coming from a channel dedicated to car washes! I appreciate that.
He didnt show the Scratsches caused by the brushes.... nothing busted here but a lie.
Meh. Based on my own experience, they still aren't great if you care about the finish. They don't remove paint, but they put super short and very tiny scratches that to be honest, you really can't see without a light in the right angle up close. After a while though (about a year), I found those little scratches added up and the paint looked terrible in the sun. I've since corrected it and only wash my car by hand now.
32 seconds and I’m laughing! Especially at the Accord thumbnail
The Sock Monkey! Haha, glad you liked that man! Thanks for watching as always brother.
Elliott Alvis when Elliot pulled a Scotty Kilmer moment lol
funny thing is i value the accord more then this pussy cat car im a dodge hater genuinely hate as you hate honda just case you value the over priced American steel made with china metal hahahaha doesn't mean i would
@Llego Papa nope
Straight to Velocity Garage for a full detailing after the car wash. I take it you don't drive it in the rain😂 Great video Elliot.
wombat1238 marsupial check out my penny test video for footage of me sliding this car around in the rain. Thanks for watching! Lol
I'm inspired, I'm going to have my car washed right MEOW!
My parents have unlimited washes at the local car wash. They have no swirls in their paint and they have high end models.
yet*
@@edwardcruz6370 Who cares. You can always get it paint corrected
People just like to think they’re special and they think they do a better job themselves 😂
Not yet
@@bobsmith9603 Those cost like 500 bucks tho when u can wash the car by hand and don't have to worry about it
The brushes used in car washes these days use Closed cell foam which is rinsed with every rotation, so it doesn’t hold any harmful particles like dirt or sand. Back in the 70’s and 80’s, they used filament material on the brushes which caused swirl marks and scratches. The washes these days are more safe. Nice video!
The Car Wash / Elevator Fanatic thanks! I appreciate that!
Have you ever polished a car with "Spider Webbing"? I have, the owner uses automatic car washes with up to date technology. People like that keeps me in busy, hopefully more people will use auto car washes, so I can make more $$$...
Lol
Still hold dirt
Key word "more safe" but still cause swirl marks
Studying automatic washes here - working to become an owner. If you were to go to a car wash, most higher-end one use soft foam Brite material that is made to clean, not hurt your car.
I live in Central Florida and before there were not a lot of these automatic car washes around because they were closing down. Now, between Mister, Tommy’s, and a lot of the newly build 7-Elevens are bringing these car washes back again and there’s tons now. I have a Mister Car Wash membership for my father and now for my stepmom and they love the benefit of going how many times they want. Before I was afraid of the conveyor scratching the rims when I was centering it or when it was rolling along the tunnel but It’s actually safe. Obviously, nothing compared to cleaning a car by hand for sure but it saves the hassle.
I worked at a Chevy dealership and it physically pained me to see new Camaro SSes go into the auto wash and come out with hazing/microscratches on every edge, especially the upper A pillar got absolutely TRASHED every single time.
100PercentJake I can imagine. But also the washes they have on dealer lots are notoriously horrible.
my dealer calls detailers
@@ElliottAlvis Broadway Auto Butlers haven’t been redesigned in a generation.
@@ElliottAlvis ik this is an old comment but this is the exact reason the local Ford dealer uses the car wash I work at because we use what’s called Lammscloth. Softest brush I’ve ever touched.
My 2020 SS 1LE has seen MANY automatic car washes with zero ill effects.
Now if you want to talk about what destroys the paint let’s talk about track days!
Dear diary: Today I watched Elliot wash his car, instead of washing mine.
Jorge Piracanto haha! There’s still time to wash yours Jorge, the day is young!
@@ElliottAlvis I would but it's too sunny, and I don't have a covered garage. Good ol' Prius needs a wash, that's fo sho
head on over to my channel and watch me clean my seatbelt
@@100PercentJake oh You know I already did, nice steaming!
@@100PercentJake until I saw your channel I never even occurred to me to check the seat belt to see if it's dirty. Good stuff
I bought my 2018 Mustang GT new from the dealer with 270 days on the lot and swirl marks and dozens of automatic washes. Got an amazing deal. And I don’t have to worry about it anymore.
I quit using automatics after I went to that one at Kellogg and Maize Road and it ripped the license plate off the back end of my Ford Torino. I was pretty much done with them at that point
Trucker Dave and Red oh wow! Yeah the old washes could be pretty harsh. I’m sorry that happened!
Thanks for doing this video. I don't feel so bad now going to an automated car wash. At one time, I would hand wash my vehicles, but as I get older and don't have the time, it's nice to run it through the ole auto wash every now and then. And the one I go to even has clean micro fiber cloths to wipe down the entire vehicle!
That is very nice!
Living in Michigan where in the winter months road salt is slathered all over the highway I try and take my truck through a high quality drive through was about every week or so. During the warm weather months I will hand wash. I'll take a few very minor swirl marks in the clearcoat over leaving my vehicle looking like a block of salt.
My 99 suburban doesn’t care how it gets washed, as long as theres no salt rusting the frame, im happy.
As a professional auto detailer, these car washes bring alot of business. Due to how much they destroy people vehicles. Nice theory though
Yeah I remember the joy days as a kid going to a car wash, pretty lights doing the typical “ahhh idk what its doing” type of scream. When i got my first car it was 2015 impala, was it pretty? nah. But I just got into detail videos and decided to wash by hand. I’ve gone to the touchless washes usually only if I don’t got time to bring all my stuff out or after a road trip to wash off excessive bugs but make sure to use my clean towels to prevent additional scratches. Only car worth taking to car wash maybe would be a rental but thats it
The truth is, automatic carwashes does not cover every part of the wash thoroughly. What happens usually is, the carwash employee will water down the front of the vehicle to get it wet, and then you proceed to enter the wash, at which point, the hanging wet towels starts to zigzag left to right, across your paint, on top of your windshield, and down your vehicle, this thus in turn will leave swirls and very light surface imperfections. The difference with auto detailer is that they thoroughly detail your car so that every area is covered.
Really great and informative video, Elliott! What happened to your pencils when they got wet? I didn't see them in their holder. Who was the man that was anxiously watching you dust that beautiful red Corvette?
Mitchell Barnow I had to remove the pencils for this shoot, but good eye! And that was a brief cameo of my father!
I have a paint matched gmc Denali 2500 and take it through auto washes all the time. Spray was with a micro towel after every wash and with 150k miles still looks new.
Fabric brushes are not too bad. Nice touch at the end using the duster on the Corvette!
My parents had a membership for a new local car wash branch that popped up around our city all over after 2-3 months of weekend washes they’re hoods paint literally Disintegrated and it’s clearly swirls and such on their hood and roof on top trunk it’s became like a hard texture and their black paint went almost like a flat black texture.
Oof that’s awful!
They should make a cover that you put UNDER the hood that does not allow water to get into the engine. You pop them on when you get to the car wash and take them off after the car wash.
Also Elliot singing? Def Jam please sign him! He’s gonna sell out those concert tickets real quick and make Bieber jealous lol
yiyangcheng I’m a man of many talents, what can I say? Lol
Elliott Alvis even Beyoncé is giving you the accolades lol
bruh i work at a car wash and there are people who come in every day
The last thing at the end of the tunnel is just to keep the doors/equipment from freezing in the winter. There's two at the wash we supply equipment to. They call it a Door Jet
Ah, that’s interesting!
No, it’s for drying in cars. I work at a car wash. Most automatic car washes have heating elements in the concrete for winter time. If it was for winter why would they be running it in the summer?
All of the stuff that freezes gets frozen during the night time when there is no customers and when the dryers are not running, so this makes no sense
@@taylorpennington8126 We don't run it in the summer because they are only used for what I stated in my original comment. I worked at the car wash and now I work at MCWW who manufactures all the equipment for the wash I worked at, and many other car washes around the world.
That being said your wash could be a special case. Generally it is considered a waste of money to add the heated dryers when there is a set or two of dryer arches and a Dry n' Shine
Hi Elliott, Have a great day!
connor you too Connor!
0:39 oh snap having a Mr. Celica moment putting broken cars lol
yiyangcheng lol
Elliott Alvis he sure would be proud lol
Your a braver man than I Elliott.
Daniel Zermeno it takes guts to drive a Hellcat through a non-brushless car wash.... but somebody has to do it. Lol
As much as it pains me to thumbs up this one, I'll still support you even if I don't agree with you 😂😂
Scott Barber Lol thanks Scott. If anything, this means more business for you!
Elliott Alvis lol well that wouldn't disappoint me, unless it looks like that Accord 😂
Scott Barber I thought all Accords looked like that 👀
Thanks for the breakdown
There are touchless automatic car washes but not where I live unfortunately. I always wash it by hand. Which doesn't guarantee anything but at least you have some control. It's fun too.
Should have shown a close-up of the paint and some light to see the micro scratches that are now on it. Might change your mind about the car washes
If you have to be an inch away to see it then who gives AF. It's not getting through to raw metal and it's not gonna rust, it's purely cosmetic, and cosmetic that you cant even see...
I just went through a car wash for the first time, only because the car was just too dirty. It hurt my soul seeing those brushes hit the paint 🥺
If your car is not a rare classic or showcar then nobody cares or even notices those microswirls, i guarantee it.
Elliott, this was a fantastic review. I just bought a 2021 Miata RF (hard top) and I’m concerned about the wireless antenna being knocked off on the back going through an automatic car wash. I’ve already got caught in pouring down rain while driving for an hour and not one leak inside the cabin so I have no worries there. What’s your advice on the antenna going through an automatic wash with those brushes?
I’ve never had a problem, and I’ve taken tons of cars through automatic washes!
I have a rf I hand wash there is very little paint on them average 2.5 mills and they seem to scratch very easy I do car detailing
Just tuning in; curious what you think about air-brushes being used in moments like this @ 5:43 for smaller harder to reach places, to get every last drop of water? There's an automatic car wash nearby that has them on the central vaccum system in the parking lot.
We have a new car wash near us in Florida that provides all you showed in the video with the addition of microfiber towels you may need along with glass cleaner and small air hoses to clean the interior vents.
Oh that’s cool!
It’d be nice to have removable covers to prevent water from getting in the engine compartment.
Cough cough…rain
I have a normal car, a Hyundai accent, took it to the car wash once a week and two years later the paint is completely ruined.
I had an accord with the 19" wheels. The plastic track completely ground the inside of the wheels worse than I could have done in 10 minutes with an angle grinder.
that wasn't plastic then. had plastic rails at the tunnel wash I worked at and in 4 years I never saw a scratched rim
You have better chance of getting a scratch at a hand car wash.
They'll get your car clean, but will definitely add swirls. And aren't great if you have ceramic coating.
3:19 That's called the mitter curtain. And the big brushes on the sides are called the wrap arounds.
Awesome Ryan! I didn’t know the official names for those.
Having a Black Car I can’t take mine through the auto Car Wash. it’s left so many swirls and when I line up on the Rails it damaged my mud flap/Ground Effect.
There is still the off chance that the person who was there right before you went off-roading and the brushes have who knows what's left in them ready to rub your car's paint. I just can't bring myself to do the soft touch washes. The only time I would go is to a touchless wash to clean the underside of the vehicle after a major snowstorm to clear off all salt and cinders from the body, frame, exhaust system, and suspension. Nothing beats the quality and finished look of a hand wash. But for the quick cleanup when you don't have the time or desire to hand wash, then these would be okay to get you by. I do hope they are using more advanced materials in the brushes which are soft, yet firm enough to be durable and clean the vehicle effectively. Maybe someday I'll convert, but it might be awhile lol
I live in Canada where it’s too cold to use salt on the roads in the winter so we use a gravel/sand pickle mix. I’m not willing to take the chance with sand or gravel being lodged in the soft touch things making a mess of the clear coat.
That Honda baby like all of em I see wrecked some where🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭
You’ve inspired me to do something crazy here - I have a 2018 Giulia Q which I will take through this as well. It’s vulcano black so real test for the brushes!
I’ll record it and share 😁
Please do! Thanks for watching!
Its been 3 months. Ive been waiting. When are you going to record.
I forgot about this promise damn. I did went through twice - 1 was the drive through with prewash no negative effect. Second time tried portal wash - disaster. Swirls in coating and one deeper scratch.
I was told running the Tesla Model 3 through this type of carwash can damage the outside cameras on the car by the water pressure. Has anybody else heard this?
Cerakote the black plastics on your engine bay and wax the painted areas. Use a portable “leaf blower” to dry the area as you wipe with a towel.
Tyler and JR have taken their cars through these, it's not always ending up dry on the inside of their cars. So I think we should maybe put a disclaimer in that states your milage may very 😀
ralph longo without a doubt. If I were to take my C4 Corvette through this, I’d be soaked coming out the other end 😂
You get a like and a sub, because you vocalized your dreams
I have the same problem with water under my hood in my Chrysler 300.Always dry off under the hood, trunk and the door jambs.
Okay.... So every time it rains, the water gets in your engine compartment and you have to open the hood up and dry all the water spots?
Could explain what you did to get out after you saw the green light flashing? I know that you set the gear on NEUTRAL( N), did you jump up to Park ( P) to stop the car, or you shifted the gear from N to D ?! Please respond as I ended up having a problem today not knowing what to do. Thank you
In an automatic car, you just slide it from N to D. This car is a manual so I just pushed the clutch in and selected first.
@@ElliottAlvis what is the amount of damage it can cause if I change from N to D right after coming from the automatic car wash? I was extremely shocked how the car stopped, it was forceful, and sudden. Is there any damage or it should be ok?! I know I will never repeat or try that again. Coz when I first about 2 weeks ago, I did what you just said N to D and I didn’t have any problems. Oh by the way, my car is Automatic. And thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for replying. And I hope I get an answer for this for this for more clarification.
well, i took my car to a touchlesss automatic car wash and it was great until i notice lots of scratches around the rim, im a car guy too and i can remember when and how many curb rash on the wheels of my cars. I dont recall any curb rash since the recent trips to the car wash mentioned. Again, great car wash, but some times accidents happen :(
I don't know...a member of our LCOC borrowed a Mark VI from another member and then took it to an automatic and the fender looked like someone took an electric knife to it. Mayhaps it was an brushful one. I've taken my Chrysler to a brushless a couple times during the winter but had to put some elbow grease into cleaning the chrome clad wheels.
BILL GORMAN yeah, some of the older car washes were pretty rough on cars. Brushless automatics are definitely a good option in the winter! Thanks for watching Bill.
@@ElliottAlvis my pleasure. You have a fun channel :)
BILL GORMAN thanks Bill! That means a lot. I appreciate the support.
Do you drive your Hellcat in the rain? And do you have to wipe it down after?
Aaron Davis I have driven it in the rain, and yes I do try to wipe down the engine bay afterwards. Especially if it was just sitting in the rain. If you’re driving, it’s not AS bad under there.
@@ElliottAlvis you seem like a nice guy, and smart. But there's no way I can possibly take anything you say about car washing seriously after that statement. Good luck.
I'd like to know how you explain swirl marks... Sure the automatic car wash one time won't cause a ton of swirls, but eventually all the small scratches will add up and it will look horrible just like every mom's SUV ever lol
Great video. I just bought a new RDX and was afraid to take it to the automatic car wash . I want to preserve the paint color. Is taking it once a week ok?
Yeah! I’m sure that’s fine. Depending on the quality of the car wash facility of course.
Don't do it
If you have a new car I would suggest getting a good ceramic coating to have it stay clean for longer and protect the paint.
No no no no
I’ve seen vehicles beat to hell by extension cords and chains. Top brush picked up off the previous car/truck. 😁
I took my Altima through one, and it bent my license plate, never been back. Spray wash or hand wash, show some love
Did you lose the yellow splitter protectors in the automatic car wash?
Jeff Loudy oh no, is that where they went?!
The whole time you’re drying your engine bay, all I can focus on are all the swirls I can see in the sun reflection. I guess if you already have a bunch of swirls, what’s the harm of a few more from the tunnel wash huh?
Just one month ago me and my mom went through the automatic car wash and it was a new one a we got a blue scratch from the car wash
Uh oh! I’m sorry to hear that!
I'M CRYING OVER HERE! LOL!!!
Goes to self wash wash uses the brushes there 😂
unfortunately like all detailing pros
I do not recommend washing stations except without contact and not regularly. the types of varnish are easy to scratch. I still respect those who make their decision
I finally have some micro scratches in the paint after 3 year ownership of my car. I was washing it by hand for the most part, but now im too buy most times
Damn Scott Kilmer better watch out.
You're not even doing burnouts yet and making good content.
Thanks man!
I work at a car wash and the new foam wraps a super soft.
Basically an 8,5 minute advert for handwashing your car with pressure washer, soft wasmitt and a high quality shampoo. Afterwards you feel delighted instead of feeling that you just put your car through a pounding.
SecretAlfaFan It is more of an accomplished feeling when you wash your car yourself, but you can’t argue with the convenience here!
If I use a automatic car wash should I choose the best one?
FINALLY SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!! I do the chemistry for the largest chain in the USA, soap is key!!!!
Love the shirt
Haha, thanks man!
I had an 8 year old 370z Nismo and I always did it by hand. At 8 years old it looked like a show car. I’m just very picky who touches my car.
I have swirls in my paint and I go to the car wash about once a week. It’s why I looked up this video. Idk I guess I’ll ask the dealership
A before and after paint inspection would be more convincing
I made a TikTok of me taking my 6 year old, $15k, daily driver i3 into one and the comments were hilariously absurd.
Doug's Cars people were even upset about that?! If you can’t take an i3 through a car wash, what CAN you take? Lol thanks for watching Doug!
Elliott Alvis Right? It’s all plastic?? Haha
I can wait to take my C8 to the automatic car wash or maybe not
Unless I'm allowed to go in and inspect the foam brushes I'll never. Whatever they use. Anything that touches or wipes the paint will collect sand and therefore is gusranteed to scratch the next vehicle. Only go through completely brushless washes of youre too lazy to do it yourself or pay someone to clean it correctly.
I live in an apartment, so automatic car washes are my only option. 😢
Do you have any ceramic coating applied? I'm still worried about swirl marks!
A.J. W. No ceramic coating here! I’m all natural lol
@@ElliottAlvis That's how you got your daughter?
Mitchell Barnow 😂
Are the covered cars in the shop all Corvettes? The one parked above the Dodge looks like a C4. Is it your yellow one? But the one on the ground one row over looks like it's a C3. Is it? Have you ever shown that car in a video? I've seen the red C1 in more than one video I think, maybe a watchjrgo episode, I'm not sure. Where did I see it in another video? I'd like to see the C3 in an up coming video if that is what is under the cover. Also couldn't you make some covers for the inside of the Hellcat air vents? Like cut some little plastic pieces to stick on the inside of the hood grills before you wash it. It wouldn't be water tight but it could reduce how much water gets under the hood. Just a thought
Don's Journey good eye on the Corvettes! And yeah, I suppose some little cutouts for the vents might help during a wash. But it’s not the end of the world to wipe down the engine bay after each wash either. Thanks for watching Don!
i like the meme images while he is talking. he learned from the best (Scotty Kilmer... assuming this channel is younger than that one).
How about a revisit of this with UV light to show the scratsches of the Brushes....
Paint swirls come from dirty brushes or foams spreading dirt or sand from one car to another
Car wash places would literally need to wash the brushes after each car to avoid this
To quote the video it is smacking the paint with dirt and more damaging, sand
I kinda agree every once in a while is not bad
My 10 years old Nissan Leaf just went thru its 2nd ever auto car wash due to tree sap on it. I do prefer to wash it by hand as $10 for a basic wash is too pricey. THE WORST part was as I am drying parts still wet, TWO men with PICKUP “trucks” were vacuum cleaning WITH THE ENGINES RUNNING!! What and why is that done? 15minutes of wasted fuel plus the pollution. I don’t get it!!
You only have so much clear coat for paint corrections also lol