LoneWolfTrucker

I disagree. It it about us not wanting to get our butts cold! LOL

I take my trucks through automatic washes all the time and I don't care what anyone thinks about it.

bisonp

I used to mostly power wash my vehicles myself at self serv places, but they are dang near as expensive as an automatic wash these days. Part of that is it just takes longer to properly wash an F-150 than a Mustang, especially if you use it as a truck. Time is something I have a lot less of compared to 20 years ago when I was a single guy living in an apartment. My vehicles today are tools, not toys, and are treated as such. Yeah automatic washes may leave some superficial swirl marks, but they are no worse than the door dings I get from parking lots. I'm not going to worry about it.

k.b.

I used to pride myself on being able to get the self spray wash done with the minimum 6 quarters. Now that I am retired it seems to take me 7. When I start needing the handicap parking spots, I will weigh back in.

Teeitup

My 16 Race Red has been through the soft brush/cloth car wash at least 100 times. Zero scratches, zero swirl marks and I have never waxed or polished my truck. It did bend my antenna so I bought a shorty rubber antenna.

dannytexas

You may very well not notice them but I'd bet my life on it you have swirl marks in it. Next time sun is shining look at the reflection of the sun on the paint, you'll see them.

When I was shopping for my truck and my wifes Lexus all the new cars and trucks on the dealer lots already had them.
The dealers pay those services to come through and wash to keep them nice for potential customers.
They use dirt filled shammies and cotton towels on hundreds of cars a day and introduce swirl marks in the clear coats.

This pic is the day after I bought my latest 2018 Platinum... Came home and spent about 3 hours 2-stage polishing the clear to remove swirls. Most people don't realize what their paint could look like or simply don't have the time or concern.
I enjoy drinking beers listing to my garage stereo while tinkering on the cars so for me its fun.. To others its a chore which I get.

2015LariatFX4dude

Don't really have a choice for about 4-5 months out of the year here in North Dakota. Got to -55 here one day this winter. I go thru a soft brush but it is what you gotta do. Thankfully they don't salt around here, just dirt the roads.