Is applying polish or other coatings worth if if you also go to a carwash?

snareman · 04-09-2021, 08:40 AM

As the subject says... I take my car through a carwash frequently. There I said it. There was a time where I'd go to the DIY wash with my own bucket, soap, brush, etc and was really just there to use their soft water and sprayer. I'd have bonding time with my car for a good hour washing it followed by drying, windows, detailing spray, etc. It was good man-car bonding.

I eventually realized that I wasn't going to be standing outside in Jan-March washing my car and that I also don't have the time to do to the DIY wash as often as I'd like to keep my car as clean as I want. And, my desire to have a clean car supersedes my desire to have a swirl free car. So the end result is a monthly unlimited wash package at the local drive through wash and an always clean car. I get that it can cause some swirls and accept that, but generally you don't notice anything unless you are up close in the right light so I'm fine with it.

So, that all said... If I take the time to apply some whatever kind of wash/ceramic coating, etc, is it worth the time or cost investment to DIY or pay someone to do it? Does the car wash wear all of that off exponentially faster?

modat · 04-21-2021, 10:24 AM

Car washes use harsh chemicals and the brushes will destroy your paint. If anything, I would go to a touchless car wash.

and yes, they will wash away any coating you put on the car.

SickGTR · 04-21-2021, 07:09 PM

Wrap the whole car! It's worth every cent

Pantagathus · 04-21-2021, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickGTR

Wrap the whole car! It's worth every cent

I got the front wrapped and 4 layers of ceramic on everything, and then this happened on the unwrapped section. Regretting not getting the whole car wrapped now...

snareman · 04-21-2021, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickGTR

Wrap the whole car! It's worth every cent

And that costs how much? $5k?

snareman · 04-21-2021, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modat

Car washes use harsh chemicals and the brushes will destroy your paint. If anything, I would go to a touchless car wash.

and yes, they will wash away any coating you put on the car.

I've been using them for years on my cars and the paint has been fine. I recognize they are not the best option but I get to always have a clean car and the paint doesn't appear any worse for the wear as far as swirls or similar

modat · 04-22-2021, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

I've been using them for years on my cars and the paint has been fine. I recognize they are not the best option but I get to always have a clean car and the paint doesn't appear any worse for the wear as far as swirls or similar

it seems you are obviously convinced that your approach is the right way to go about this so.....You do you man! Enjoy the car!

SickGTR · 04-22-2021, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

And that costs how much? $5k?

About that. If you are all about your car being clean and want to have super easy maint on the paint, it's a no brainer. If you lease the car then maybe just do 5-6 coats of ceramic and be done. If you are keeping it, wrap it.

snareman · 04-22-2021, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SickGTR

About that. If you are all about your car being clean and want to have super easy maint on the paint, it's a no brainer. If you lease the car then maybe just do 5-6 coats of ceramic and be done. If you are keeping it, wrap it.

Well, I am buying this one but I'll probably keep it at least through the LCI or so. We'll see. I'm assuming you don't recoup much of the cost of the wrap when you sell it.

themnmd · 04-22-2021, 11:31 PM

Any commercial car was will ware down any coating, even touchless. Due to the chemicals. I suppose if you had a really good ceramic coating you might get away with a car wash once in a while. I don't chance it though

snareman · 04-22-2021, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by modat

it seems you are obviously convinced that your approach is the right way to go about this so.....You do you man! Enjoy the car!

No reason to get snarky.

I think my are missing the point of my question. The car is going to go through the car wash, for better or worse, but I was trying to figure out if spending the time/money on some type of polish/coating was worth it or if it would just get worn off. Sounds like the answer is that it will just get worn off.

SickGTR · 04-23-2021, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snareman

Well, I am buying this one but I'll probably keep it at least through the LCI or so. We'll see. I'm assuming you don't recoup much of the cost of the wrap when you sell it.

It def isn't going to hurt you. I think people would be way more interested in a car that was wrapped from day 1

Nettles · 04-28-2021, 12:20 AM

No it’s not worth it for your specific case. Just keep going to the car wash.

04-09-2021, 08:40 AM	#1
snareman Leave the gun. Take the Canoli. 10311 Rep 8,408 Posts Drives: ///M8 & X5 ///M60 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Is applying polish or other coatings worth if if you also go to a carwash? As the subject says... I take my car through a carwash frequently. There I said it. There was a time where I'd go to the DIY wash with my own bucket, soap, brush, etc and was really just there to use their soft water and sprayer. I'd have bonding time with my car for a good hour washing it followed by drying, windows, detailing spray, etc. It was good man-car bonding. I eventually realized that I wasn't going to be standing outside in Jan-March washing my car and that I also don't have the time to do to the DIY wash as often as I'd like to keep my car as clean as I want. And, my desire to have a clean car supersedes my desire to have a swirl free car. So the end result is a monthly unlimited wash package at the local drive through wash and an always clean car. I get that it can cause some swirls and accept that, but generally you don't notice anything unless you are up close in the right light so I'm fine with it. So, that all said... If I take the time to apply some whatever kind of wash/ceramic coating, etc, is it worth the time or cost investment to DIY or pay someone to do it? Does the car wash wear all of that off exponentially faster? __________________ Current: 2023 ///M8 \|\|\| 2025 X5 ///M60 Retired: 2023 X3 M40 \|\|\| 2021 M4 \|\|\| 2018 M4 \|\|\| 2017 M4 \|\|\| 2014 435 \|\|\| 2009 335 \|\|\| 2007 335
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04-21-2021, 10:24 AM	#2
modat Lieutenant Colonel 2488 Rep 1,740 Posts Drives: 2022 IOMG M3 Xdrive Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Car washes use harsh chemicals and the brushes will destroy your paint. If anything, I would go to a touchless car wash. and yes, they will wash away any coating you put on the car.
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04-21-2021, 07:09 PM	#3
SickGTR Banned 1079 Rep 949 Posts Drives: 1000whpGTR/ F-82 YAS Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Dirt Jerz iTrader: (0)	Wrap the whole car! It's worth every cent
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04-22-2021, 11:31 PM	#10
themnmd Colonel 1713 Rep 2,692 Posts Drives: 23 X5MC Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: San Rafael CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M340i X [0.00]	Any commercial car was will ware down any coating, even touchless. Due to the chemicals. I suppose if you had a really good ceramic coating you might get away with a car wash once in a while. I don't chance it though
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04-28-2021, 12:20 AM	#13
Nettles Lieutenant 827 Rep 484 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (1)	No it’s not worth it for your specific case. Just keep going to the car wash.
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