Which do you choose when it comes to getting your car washed? Do you prefer an automatic car wash or is your preference to hand wash your car? There are some that like to meticulously wash their vehicles as opposed to allowing a machine. An automatic car wash sure is faster, convenient, and it’s not nearly as tiring. If you want to save time, there are arguably more pros to an automatic car wash.
On the other hand, a hand wash allows you to be as perfect as you want to be. If you are meticulous about your vehicle, then hand washing is your only true option. There are pros and cons of both the automated car wash and the hand wash, so which do you choose? Lets go through them together!
Automated Machine Wash:
Pros:
- Fast
- Convenient
- Low Cost
- Great for individuals who aren't "car people" who just look at their vehicle as a form of transportation to get them from Point A to Point B.
Cons:
- Most car wash facilities utilize recycled car wash water
- Cheap soap / Wax
- Many automated car washes try to upsell better "hot wax" such as Meguiars or "Rain-X" which can make a cheap car wash into a more expensive 40-50 dollar wash which is honestly a waste of money for what you get.
- Machines use brushes / microfiber pads that aren't maintained/cleaned/replaced which will most certainly leave swirls from their high speed spinning rotations on your paint. (Not good if you are someone who loves/cares about your car like it's a family memeber)
Hand Wash:
Pros:
- May even be less expensive than an automated wash if you do it yourself.
- Safer for your vehicle's paint as a clean supplies are always used for each wash.
- Supplies are not as harsh as automated brushes eliminating the likelihood of finding swirls in your paint.
- Complete control over how to clean all the nooks and crevaces in your vehicle.
- Complete control over which products are utilized.
Cons:
- Time Consuming
- Expensive if outsourcing to a hand wash / detail company.
- Skillset: If you plan to hand wash your vehicle yourself, waxing is a must. After the wash is complete, waxing takes skill so you don't get streaks, wax spots/haze, swirl marks, or "burn" the paint if using a buffing machine to apply and polish the wax. If you have never waxed a car before, it's best that you have someone who has the skill teach you than try to learn via Youtube/yourself.
So which is right for you? I honestly think it comes down to if you are a "car person" or not. Whether you are a car buff or not, owning a vehicle is something that is a necessity for most individuals unless you live in a major city where public transportation is readily available. Even though you may own a vehicle, you may not care so much as to the swirls that automated washes cause over time, as long as it's quick, convenient, and give your vehicle the periodic clean it needs. If you are head over heals in love with your vehicle, and treat it better than you treat yourself, then babying it with the gentle touch of a hand wash and wax will more than likely be your choice.
