Yes. Automatic car washes can do more harm than good — here’s why: Most automatic car washes use abrasive brushes or materials to clean your vehicle. Unlike soft sponges or microfiber cloths, these brushes can easily cause swirls and scratches as they spin across your paint. What’s worse, these brushes often trap dirt, sand, and even small rocks from previous vehicles, turning them into abrasive agents that get dragged across your car’s surface. The result? Your paint isn’t just being scrubbed — it’s being scratched and abraded by both the brushes and the debris they carry. Protect your vehicle by choosing safer, hand-wash methods designed to preserve your paint’s flawless finish.