Do automatic car washes cause swirl marks?

Do automatic car washes cause swirl marks? The short answer is no. Automatic car washes are not the cause of swirl marks on your car. But many people still believe that car washes are to blame. We’d like to provide clarity on what swirl marks are, how they form, and what you can do about them. While it’s clear they appear on many vehicles’ paint surfaces, their story starts well before the wash. 

What are car paint swirl marks? 

Car paint swirls are circular, microscopic imperfections on vehicles’ surfaces. Looking closely at a dark-colored car on a sunny day reveals the shimmering circular pattern of tiny reflective scratches.   

People refer to them as swirls because of their appearance. The tiny scratches form in random directions. Only because of the circular light source, the sun, do they appear to reflect a circular pattern of a swirl (hence the name swirl marks).  

We often identify swirl marks after a car wash because we spend the most time making sure our car’s paint looks good.   

We notice these tiny imperfections more clearly as we look closely for them, especially when we wash away the dirt that hides them.    

Unfortunately, dirt isn’t the only thing you’ll find hiding your paint’s imperfections.  

Before blaming the wash down the street, it’s important to understand the true causes and origins of swirl marks.   

What causes car paint swirl marks? 

Several theories exist about how car paint swirls form and stand out. 

From the beginning 

Tiny swirl marks are already forming as soon as a vehicle leaves the manufacturer. Over time, these microscopic marks spread and get worse. 

Your car most likely has some degree of swirls, but they are certainly more noticeable in darker paint jobs, especially after being cleaned.  

The new car let-down 

The dealer applies a high-quality wax coating to new and used cars. This coating helps protect the cars, enhance their shine, and hide imperfections such as cracks and scratches.  

Wax breaks down as a vehicle is driven. The first trip through a car wash can thin and polish the original wax further and bring out existing imperfections that had not been visible before. 

Regular wear 

As a car wash cleans a car, it can reveal imperfections and scratches that had previously been obscured by dirt and dust. The cleaner the car, the easier it is to spot regular lines and nicks that can result from blowing sand and particle debris on highways. 

Even damage from improper hand washing practices like one-bucket washes, dishwasher soap, and artificial sponge use (which are shown to be far more damaging to vehicle exteriors than most car owners realize). 

How can I remove swirl marks? 

You can’t remove tiny swirl marks but filling them in with a wax coating effectively disguises them. 

Ceramic Body Wax® at Tommy’s Express is a great solution for anyone looking to smooth and fill in these tiny imperfections and increase the longevity of their paint job.    

We apply ceramic at the end of the Works wash to seal the deal. Regular washing and wax application builds up a layer of wax, allowing for easier cleaning and increased protection. 

Swirls vs scratches: how far we’ve come 

Swirls and scratches are often confused for each other. 

Some consumers avoid automated car washes because they fear damage. People believe car wash brushes are too harsh, scraping vehicles and marring the clearcoat. 

Others cite the brush material, and sometimes even the water in the high-pressure hoses, is full of dirt and grit that spread from vehicle to vehicle, causing scratches. 

Decades ago, most wash power came from scrubbing action instead of detergents or water pressure. The brushes would often increase the degree of friction by taking off more dirt and having a greater impact on the surface. 

But today, well-maintained modern car washes have several safeguards in place to prevent damage. Water filtration, detergent application, high-pressure washing, and friction cleaning material have advanced greatly. 

Today’s soft cloths leave behind the nylon brushes that could leave brush marks in the 1970s and 80s. Instead, modern brushes rely on a closed-cell foam material that lacks any structure that could capture dirt or grit.  

Soap and fresh water constantly prime the foam and microfiber, removing debris and providing much-needed lubrication between the brushes and the vehicle’s body. They’re safe to use, and most patrons never have any issues—even after repeated washing. It’s all about finding the right combination of pressure, detergents, and friction; the three components of car washing. 

For more information about car wash technology, and how we make our soft-touch wash safe and effective for vehicles, read this blog about car soft-touch washes and car washing safety.