It's tempting. You're busy, the car is dirty, and it's only $10. But that 5-minute convenience is slowly destroying your vehicle's clear coat. Let's break down exactly what happens inside the "Tunnel of Terror."
The "Slap" of the Brushes
Those giant spinning brushes are cleaning hundreds of cars a day. The mud from the Ford F-150 that went in before you is stuck in those bristles. When they slap against your paint at 100rpm, they are essentially whipping your car with sandpaper. This creates "swirl marks"—millions of tiny circular scratches that dull your paint's reflection.
Chemical Burns
Touchless washes aren't safe either. To clean a car without touching it, they have to use extremely harsh chemicals—often highly acidic or highly alkaline. These chemicals can stain your chrome trim, turn your black plastic grey, and strip away any wax or sealant you have applied.
The Drying Towel of Doom
At the end of the tunnel, there's often a person with a towel waiting to dry your car. That same towel has dried 50 other cars today. It is loaded with grit. Having someone rub a dirty towel on your paint is the fastest way to add deep scratches.
"The cost to fix the damage from automatic washes (Paint Correction) starts at $600. That $10 wash is actually very expensive."
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Whether you need a ceramic coating or a deep interior clean, we are here to help.