[GFK007]

Curious of some of the answers here…

I judge a car wash by how clean the rims are post wash, as well as by how well the car has been dried.

Equally, if there is still bug tar residue on the front bumper, that's also a negative.

[Jbh165nc]

Don’t know. I always wash my own.

[JP30]

Hand wash only....

[kzg1969]

i only judge the people who use a car wash

[thestimp]

Car washes recycle water and tend to be highly acidic, so if you have ceramic, its going bye bye with each wash. Wash it yourself or use a spray yourself DIY wash place, they tend to not recycle and you can bring your own stuff.

If you use a touch car wash...woof.

[HoJoRo]

If you value your car and paintwork , here is a good video as to why drive thru car washes are to be avoided like the plague... this would also apply to drive thru hand car washes ... excluding shops that specialize in car washing, detailing and paint correction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbgkv0dUgoE

That said if your car is quite old and the paintwork is "pretty rough" anyway , then it would not really matter where it is taken to be cleaned.

However;

Most car detailing shops can bring a car's paintwork back to near factory, then you would be in a good position to maintain the paintwork to an high standard going forwards.

Additionally avoid dealers valeting your car after a service .. they are the worst of offenders

[2kaccordocoupe]

I also judge the people that wait in line for 1 hour plus in those long line ups to get a car wash during the winter

[SteveX3M40i]

The only good car wash is a dead car wash!

[GFK007]

The drive-through I go to is fairly high end ($21 for a wash), but obviously a hand wash is optimal.

Unfortunately, for a good chunk of the year it's too cold to wash my car outdoors (I don't have a garage) and as a daily driver, it's frequently dirty.

It's a lease. If I owned it, it would be a different story altogether.

[kzg1969]

In your case then, i would probably use jet-wash stations more frequently and do the drive through car wash option every 2nd/3rd time to minimise the contact.

I realise it really doesnt matter on a lease car, but that is just the way i am cut

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by GFK007

The drive-through I go to is fairly high end ($21 for a wash), but obviously a hand wash is optimal.

Unfortunately, for a good chunk of the year it's too cold to wash my car outdoors (I don't have a garage) and as a daily driver, it's frequently dirty.

It's a lease. If I owned it, it would be a different story altogether.

It's a freakin car. Mine is also leased. I get a new one every 18 to 24 months.

A wash is a wash is a wash. Clean it up and enjoy.