The drive through car wash...

[Cherokee]

I used to work at 2 different detail shops when I was younger and always hated on drive through car washes.
When I first got my truck It stayed mint but then it would cause me to not go places just because I was scared it would get dirty or maybe even scratched up.
Then I just started going to those places anyways and having fun getting there. Crossing creeks, climbing big ass hills, hauling ass down dirt roads.

Now I go through my local drive through that even has the brushes like 1 or 2x a week. My driveway is nothing but clay rock so sometimes even after I wash it, it gets dirty again before I even get home.

Still rockin bone stock antenna and err thang.
I guess my approach is different these days now that I get older. I still love to stare at my truck when it’s clean, but it sure is a lot if fun getting it dirty too.

Your results may vary.

 

[Shotgun]

I used to work at 2 different detail shops when I was younger and always hated on drive through car washes.
When I first got my truck It stayed mint but then it would cause me to not go places just because I was scared it would get dirty or maybe even scratched up.
Then I just started going to those places anyways and having fun getting there. Crossing creeks, climbing big ass hills, hauling ass down dirt roads.

Now I go through my local drive through that even has the brushes like 1 or 2x a week. My driveway is nothing but clay rock so sometimes even after I wash it, it gets dirty again before I even get home.

Still rockin bone stock antenna and err thang.
I guess my approach is different these days now that I get older. I still love to stare at my truck when it’s clean, but it sure is a lot if fun getting it dirty too.

Your results may vary.

You make several good points. I like having a clean truck, too, but I've found I'm more forgiving as I get older. Snow, sand, salt, etc. and I would want to stay away because of the nastiness. Now, I just use the truck as I want and then clean when I can. Yeah, right now it's grimy and nasty from road treatments and snow, but I didn't cringe when the junk was slinging all up the sides. I just enjoyed the ride!

 

[Cherokee]

Stage 4 water restrictions here for several years so no handwashing at home allowed.

Forgive me but let me make sure I understand this correctly……….

It is “illegal” for you to wash your car at your house………but “legal” for you to go to a car wash?

And you live in the United States correct?

 

[Gojira's Breath]

I use the modern drive through wash occasionally. It broke my antenna. I just removed it since i use sirius. Looks cleaner.
If i dont lock my tonneau cover (aluminum peragon) the dry mode pops it open.

 

[Mwchris]

I live on a one lane road with more dirt and gravel than any normal street should. I also have a cistern, so I don’t wash cars at home. I use a drive through car wash. It’s probably damaging the paint, but it’s a truck and there are better ways to spend my time than washing my truck.

 

[NightForceFan]

Forgive me but let me make sure I understand this correctly……….

It is “illegal” for you to wash your car at your house………but “legal” for you to go to a car wash?

And you live in the United States correct?

The car washes have water recycling set up.

 

[McE]

So polarizing

Who'da thought...

 

[TMartinLVNV]

So polarizing

Who'da thought...

Yep, the intensity of the debate about car washes pales only to oil change intervals, Amsoil vs Mobil 1, or are extended warranties worth it discussions.

 

[Alpoba]

Confession: i have yet to clean the truck with soap since i purchased it in summer of 2023. I wash the dirt off with a hose from time to time. Good enough for me.

Oh, and, i wouldn’t take my truck to a car wash if they paid me $100 each time. No thanks.

 

[Potato Wilson]

I was going through the touchless until someone wrote in another thread that the chemicals can damage the plastics, AND I suddenly noticed that the plastic trim on the bumper was getting discolored. Now I…. um I guess I haven’t washed it in a long time.

 

[Optimus🤖]

I hand wash myself. I don't trust the car washes. With the proper equipment it's no big deal jut a bit time consuming.

Love the contrast, brother. It'd be interesting if you tried the "Ford" logo in white. See pic:

 

[Avslash]

Mine gets treated to the local hand wash place once a quarter or so for $50 whether it needs it or not. No issue with auto washes, just to many things that can get knocked off at this point.

Rest of the time it just looks like a truck that identifies as a truck.

 

[nachosNcheese]

You make several good points. I like having a clean truck, too, but I've found I'm more forgiving as I get older. Snow, sand, salt, etc. and I would want to stay away because of the nastiness. Now, I just use the truck as I want and then clean when I can. Yeah, right now it's grimy and nasty from road treatments and snow, but I didn't cringe when the junk was slinging all up the sides. I just enjoyed the ride!

The older you get the more most of us realize it’s just a thing and we won’t have it forever and time is precious how much difference does 5 minute drive through make to the truck vs an hour wash and over the time you own it how much longer will it be dirty due to time limits and how many hours or days will you have spent just washing it only to have it be dirty longer and then sell it?

 

[LetsGoBrandon]

The older you get the more most of us realize it’s just a thing and we won’t have it forever and time is precious how much difference does 5 minute drive through make to the truck vs an hour wash and over the time you own it how much longer will it be dirty due to time limits and how many hours or days will you have spent just washing it only to have it be dirty longer and then sell it?

It isn't just the time it takes to wash that should be considered. The amount of time you have your truck should really come into play here.

Drive through washes damage the finish and that will become very evident over time. If you don't keep you're truck very long then that's the next guy's problem so it likely doesn't matter.

If you keep your truck long term it will eventually become your problem.

 

[nachosNcheese]

It isn't just the time it takes to wash that should be considered. The amount of time you have your truck should really come into play here.

Drive through washes damage the finish and that will become very evident over time. If you don't keep you're truck very long then that's the next guy's problem so it likely doesn't matter.

If you keep your truck long term it will eventually become your problem.

What kind of problem? Do you have examples of the problems it’s given you long term?

I’ve done 7 years of drive through washes and couldn’t even tell when trying

Does not apply to black or very dark paint probably

 

[LetsGoBrandon]

The problem will be dull looking finish and failed clear coat.

If your truck is white it may be difficult to see the scratches that are being put into the finish from the drive through wash.

Best way to actually visualize what is happening is to look at it after a wash using the sun or a color match light. Don't look at the bright spot directly but rather the halo around where the light is hitting the finish and look from side angles. You will notice that there are fine scratches every where and from all directions.

Also, if something would damage black or very dark paint it will also damage any other color just the same it's just harder to see until it's too late. The clear is what is actually being damaged not the color.

 

[nachosNcheese]

none issue with my vehicles and washed after 4-7 years per vehicle

It’s cool you have that much time and no actual winter though. Maybe someday

 

[LetsGoBrandon]

The reality is there are issues with the finish on your truck after 4-7 years of automated car washes.

Either you can't see it (which is admittedly most people) or it doesn't matter. Again, with white it can be very difficult to see sometimes.

The winter in the PNW can be a little hit or miss but it is typically not below freezing for more than a week or two so not that big of an issue for me.

I do have a lot of time to dedicate to the finish on my vehicle due to the fact that I happen to be in the business of automotive finishes. It's a bonus and a curse I assure you.

 

[McE]

I definitely don't hand wash my truck weekly and wax it every 3mos like I used to, but when the family is playing in the front yard with the dog running around, hanging out with them and washing the vehicles is a pretty damn good way to spend an hour or three. Hearing my 3yo crack up laughing when I spray his older brothers with the hose is the best. He also loves it when I spray his mom, but that can turn into a life safety issue for me real quick...

Completely understand why some choose the automated route. No judgment there.

 

[nachosNcheese]

We are also spoiled by the quality of oem paint these days (even orange peel ford) and the incredible polymer spray on prptection

A drive through wash truck after a hand wash and spray on turtle wax