Can a Car with Film Coating Use an Automatic Car Wash?
3 Answers
A car with film coating cannot use an automatic car wash. Below is a detailed introduction to the pros and cons of car film coating: 1. Good Privacy: Generally, car films are one-way, which can protect the owner's privacy, but the owner needs to verify when choosing a car film. 2. Anti-Explosion Effect: In case of an accident, the glass with film coating will stick together when shattered, avoiding glass splashing, which is a protection for passengers. 3. Thermal Insulation: High-quality car window films can provide thermal insulation effects. In summer, it can effectively control the rise of interior temperature, and in winter, it can suppress heat dissipation, maintaining the interior temperature and creating a comfortable driving environment for the owner. 4. Reduced Light Transmission: The light transmission rate of car window films does not exceed 90%, especially when applied to the front windshield, the reduced light transmission rate is not conducive to driving safety.
As a car owner who has had film applied for 5 years, my experience is that it's usable but with limitations. The key lies in the type of car wash—touchless high-pressure washes are fine, but avoid brush washes at all costs. Those high-speed rotating nylon brushes can scratch the film surface, with sun marks being the least of your worries; in severe cases, the edges can get peeled off directly. I learned this the hard way and now only choose tunnel car washes labeled 'film-friendly.' Always check if the film edges are bubbling before washing, as high-pressure water jets can tear open gaps if there are bubbles. Nowadays, I stick to automatic car wash spots with soft water treatment, as hard water stains are the toughest to clean. Remember: don’t wash your car within 7 days of applying the film—the adhesive hasn’t fully cured yet, making delamination more likely.
Our car detailing shop handles around 20 vehicles per month for heavy film reapplication, with 80% of damages caused by automatic car washes. The core issues lie in two aspects: first, the rotating brushes trap grit that sands the film like sandpaper; second, the drying system's 70°C hot air accelerates adhesive aging. One Tesla owner, opting for convenience, used brush washes twice weekly—resulting in completely whitened roof film within six months. For machine washing, remember these tips: keep water temperature below 40°C, disable high-pressure wax spray (solvents corrode coatings), and choose soft-water rinse stations. Always carry a chamois to immediately dry film edges and seams post-wash, as these areas are prone to water spot buildup.
