How do you wash your car? It used to be that the only way to wash your car was by hand in your driveway. Then, in 1940, Hollywood opened the first “automated” conveyor-style car wash. Since then, the car washing industry has improved drastically, but is it any better than washing your car the traditional way? We have the answers.
Hand Washing Pros
Therapeutic Properties
Some car lovers find hand washing their vehicles therapeutic. In addition, taking the time to care for something you love positively affects your mind.
Claying, Polishing, Waxing
These processes require a more personal touch. You can research the best materials and have complete control of the process to make sure every inch of your car is protected.
Details Easily Addressed
When a stranger gives your car attention, it is likely to be far less than the attention you would provide. If you give your car a good wash, you can avoid spotty water marks and poorly dried spots. These mistakes are often unavoidable in a commercial wash.
Hand Washing Cons
Time Intensive
It takes longer to wash your car by hand. An automatic car wash can have your vehicle finished and returned to you in 20 minutes or less. Hand washing your car can take well over an hour at your home.
Labor Intensive
Unsurprisingly, washing your car by hand takes much greater effort than putting it on the conveyor belt. A car wash allows you to sit and read while they take care of everything for you.
Wastes Water
You may think that hand washing your car will use less water than a big car wash, but did you know that most commercial car washes use 60% less water than homeowners do when they wash their cars in the driveway? Car washes often recycle their water after filtering it so that they lessen their waste. Home washers often wash their car on concrete or asphalt, areas where water does not get absorbed before entering groundwater or storm drains.
Some Don’t Know How
Many avid car washers simply do not know how to wash their car correctly. Using brushes, for example, can hurt the body paint and cause a sandpaper effect. You can also leave a dull, soft finish by using unwashed soap. For proper technique, research the right techniques.
Washing by hand, may not be worth the effort or time if you don’t genuinely enjoy the act. If you are a hand washer now seeing the sandpaper effect or dull spots on your car’s body, it isn’t too late. Performance Collision Centers is here to help- no problem too small! We use paintless dent repair techniques to reverse dents and match the paint to the original factory color. On top of that, we can even protect your car with Ceramic Pro Coatings. This multi-layerable nano-ceramic coating forms a permanent, flexible glass shield to help future dirt and grime wash away easily. Please make your appointment today to see how we can help you!