Why Hand Car Washing Is Safer Than Automatic Car Washes in Calgary’s Climate
I’ve been wondering about this for a while. Every winter in Calgary I feel like my car paint takes a beating, especially after using those automatic car washes with spinning brushes. They’re fast, sure, but I keep noticing more tiny scratches every year. Am I overthinking this, or is hand washing actually safer for our climate and road conditions?
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You’re definitely not overthinking it. I used to rely on automatic washes too, mostly in winter when it’s cold and messy, but after a few seasons I started seeing swirl marks under sunlight, especially on darker paint. Calgary roads are full of grit, sand, and salt in winter, and those brushes don’t get cleaned between cars. All that debris just gets dragged across your paint.
I switched to hand washing a couple of years ago, either doing it myself when the weather allows or using mobile services. The big difference is control — pre-rinse, gentle mitts, proper drying. That’s what prevents damage. I found some good info when I was comparing options, including this page: https://detaily.ca/services/exterior-detailing . It explains the process pretty clearly without hype. Since switching, my paint honestly looks better despite the harsh winters.