Was your car taken through an automatic car wash or washed by the dealership? Here’s What To Do

All too often, we have customers who invest time and money to keep their cars looking pristine, only to have them ruined by an automatic car wash or a dealership washing their cars without their knowledge. Communication is often poor with dealerships, even after notifying them not to wash your car, only to find out they attempted to wash it.

Automatic car washes often use harsh brushes, recycled dirty water, and aggressive chemicals that leave swirl marks, scratches, and paint marring. Dealership washes, while sometimes hand-done, are usually rushed and use low-quality sponges or dirty cloths, causing the same type of micro-scratches.

For owners who’ve invested in high-quality detailing work or ceramic coatings, this can be frustrating and potentially costly because the damage could compromise the appearance and protection of your vehicle.

Understanding The Damage - Inspect And Document

The first thing you need to do is inspect the vehicle and document any damage. Some things to look out for are:

  • Swirl marks

  • Paint Marring

  • Deep Scratches

  • Water Spots

  • Poor application of wax - white spots on plastic trims

  • Coating degradation

Once you’ve identified the damage, document everything. Take high-resolution photos and videos from different angles and under different lighting conditions. This is crucial if you plan to raise the issue with the dealership, insurance, or the automatic car wash operator.

Who Is Liable To Pay?

If your car was damaged at a dealership, they may be liable for the cost of repairs. Many dealerships have policies against automatic washes for high-end cars, but not all follow them. If they performed a wash without your consent and caused visible damage, you may have grounds to claim. Report the damage immediately to the manager and provide evidence. The claim may even be easier if they ignored your request not to wash the car. If you went through an automatic car wash, unfortunately, the liability is on you. Next time, warn those who may drive your car not to use them.

Impact On Ceramic Coatings

If your car had a ceramic coating, a poor wash or an automatic car wash can dramatically reduce its performance. Harsh brushes can strip away the hydrophobic top layer, leaving the coating patchy and less effective. Aggressive chemicals used in some washes can also weaken the coating’s structure, reducing durability and gloss.

If your car was damaged in the form of swirl marks, the coating will need to be stripped off, and the paint will be paint corrected by a professional detailer to fix any paint imperfections like swirl marks. Once the paint is in good condition, then you can lay down your ceramic coating.

At Infinity Detailing Studio, we often see customers bring in vehicles after just one poor wash – the difference in slickness, gloss, and water behaviour is noticeable immediately. In these cases, a professional decontamination and coating rejuvenation can often restore performance, but severe damage may require partial or full reapplication.

Contact A Good Detailer - Infinity Detailing Studio Can Help

It is best to have your car inspected by a professional car detailer to guide you in the best course of action. At Infinity Detailing Studio, we specialise in paint correction, ceramic coating restoration, and high-end detailing.

When you bring your car to us, we will:

  • Perform a thorough inspection under professional lighting.

  • Advise whether you need paint correction or just a light polish.

  • Check the integrity of your ceramic coating.

  • Provide a clear quote for the repair process.

Our experience with CarPro ceramic coatings means we know exactly how to repair and, if necessary, reapply coatings to restore your car’s full protection and gloss.

Getting The Damage Fixed

Depending on the severity of the damage, their are a couple of solutions:

  • A high-pH decontamination wash

  • Paint correction & ceramic coating re-application

  • Spot repairs

The goal is not just to fix the visible defects but to restore your car to a state where it’s properly protected and easy to maintain. A professionally corrected and coated car will have deeper gloss, better resistance to dirt, and longer-lasting protection, exactly why you invested in detailing in the first place.

How To Prevent This In The Future

  • Place a do not wash sign in your car

  • Notify the dealership multiple times

  • Use a trusted car detailer like Infinity Detailing Studio

  • Be sure to educate anyone who may drive your car

  • Wash the vehicle yourself

A professionally detailed and coated car should be cared for properly to maintain its appearance and value, and that means avoiding the quick, cheap washes that caused the problem in the first place.

Final Thoughts

Having your car accidentally put through an automatic car wash or washed poorly by a dealership can be frustrating, especially when you’ve invested in quality detailing and ceramic coatings. But with the right steps – documenting the damage, knowing your rights, contacting a skilled detailer like Infinity Detailing Studio, and taking preventative measures – you can restore your car’s beauty and avoid similar issues in the future.

If you’re in Sydney and need professional paint correction or ceramic coating restoration, contact Infinity Detailing Studio today. We’ll get your car looking its best again, with the protection it deserves.

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