Let's face it, cleaning your car by hand during the dog days of summer is not always the most fun activity to partake in. First, you have to pull out all the solutions and chemicals that you'll be using, then you need to hook up the power washer and connect all the nozzles, and then finally, you actually have to clean your car in the searing heat. The fact is that some days, it just feels like more of a chore than that of a spa day for your pride and joy.

Mobile_Wash_partner_washing_a_car
Via Wikimedia Commons

So, what should you do when you want to clean your nice little sports car but don't want to put too much elbow grease into it? Well, if you're like most people, you'll probably just head on down to your local automatic car wash and allow a slew of soapy automatons to take care of the issue. After all, these machines cost tens of thousands of dollars and were literally designed by engineers to clean cars.

Clearly, there is no doubt that these automatic automotive showers should do a better job than that of your wash-mitt and a bucket of soapy water, right? Well, as it turns out, that may not actually be the case. In fact, not only might they not clean your car as well, they may actually be doing your car's finish quite a bit more harm than good.

Let's find out exactly how bad running your car through that automatic car wash actually may be.

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First Things First, Automatic Car Washes Are Expensive

car wash money
Via: Facebook

Before we even get into how good/bad a carwash is for your car let's talk about how bad they are for your wallet. For starters, your average basic car wash will cost you around $10. Though this may not seem that bad, you need to remember that your basic car wash typically only includes a bit of soap and a rinse. Inevitably, when you leave, there are bound to be countless water spots all over your ride.

You can avoid this issue if you are willing to part with more of your money; however, after all is said and done, you could be spending anywhere between $20 and $25 per wash! To add further insult to your bank account's injuries, some of the "top tier" washes don't actually wash your car better than that of some of the cheaper ones.

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Tunnel Car Washes Cause Unsightly Swirls On Your Clear Coat

tunnel car wash
Via: Community Car Wash

The first of the automatic washes that we will be covering today is the classic "tunnel style" car wash. This technique uses a conveyor belt to pull your car through the building. During the actual wash, your vehicle is sprayed, battered by spinning brushes, and then usually dried by high-powered fans or a man with a towel.

Unfortunately, those spinning brushes that are used to clean your car have also been used on every car before it. As a result of this, all of the dirt from those past vehicles sticks to those bristles and is then slapped against your car's paint at a very fast rate. At best, you are basically cleaning your car with very fine sandpaper. The results can be the formation of permanent swirl marks all over your vehicle's clear coat.

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Oddly Enough, Soft-Cloth Car Washes Are Even Worse

soft cloth car wash
Via: Snappy Goat

The next kind of car cleaning service we will discuss is that of the "soft-cloth" car wash. Though this method is very similar to that of the "tunnel style," there is one key difference in how it removes dirt and grime from your car. Typically, this is accomplished by removing the seemingly more abrasive brushes and replacing them with soft strips of cloth.

Most people tend to think that this technique is better for your car, because the tools being used appear to be softer and more paint-friendly. Oddly enough, however, it is actually the opposite. Though plush, the fabric in question does actually trap more dirt than that of the former routine. Therefore, when those textile strips slide across your car's finish, they are also dragging dirt and debris across it as well.

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The Touchless Car Wash Is Probably The Best Of The Bunch

touchless car wash
Via: Flickr

We have now arrived at the final type of wash that we will discuss today: The "touchless wash." This process is relatively simple and usually only involves the use of sensors, a robotic arm or two, and some fans to dry your car at the end. In a nutshell, the car is measured by lasers and is then sprayed with water, soap, and any other solutions that you chose at checkout.

Thankfully, this type of car wash will not damage your car (unless there is a catastrophic failure on the part of that robotic arm we mentioned, and it decides to beat up your car). Since no tools or course materials are touching your car, you won't have to worry about any scratches, scrapes, or scuffs. So, that means it's the best solution, right?

soapy car
Via: Flickr

Well, sadly, there is one downside, and that is the fact that this procedure will probably not clean your ride as well as you would like. Because there is nothing to physically force out the dirt and contaminants that are embedded in your vehicle's finish, it is very likely that your car will still appear dirty. Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose, though?

So, after all of that, which car wash should you use? Well, the answer is pretty obvious isn't it? Just save your money and hand wash it yourself. Your vehicle and your wallet will thank you, plus it's good exercise!

NEXT: Hand Wash Vs Machine: Which Is Best For Your Car?