Automatic car washes were designed specifically to deal with quantity, not quality. Swirl marks are often created by the high speed rollers. The high speed cloths are also known to actually create scratches, especially on larger vehicles, due to the buildup of grime and dirt that become intertwined. Rims are also subject to being scratched from rubbing along the tracks. Each car wash clearly states that they will not be held responsible for damage to your rims. Also, note how many times a car wash mentions how they will not be responsible for any valuables that magically disappear. A layer of wax that is quickly sprayed on by a machine does not compare to a good thick coat of wax being applied by hand.
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