To be fair; I use my local hand car wash regularly - for a basic wash, it's ideal. £5 a go. I look at the materials they use, the way they store them, how regularly they change them etc. and I watch it every second. If there's ever a point i'm not satisfied, i'll let them know and they're more than happy to sort it. I'll then take it away, tardis and clay bar the rest. These washes really aren't that bad. Unless you're one to use micrometers, inspection lights and are a frequent member on detailingworld, then yes, don't bother... you have more time than most to clean a car.
We have the bmw done there most weeks, never had a problem with it, I used to enjoy cleaning my car, no more though I can't stand washing cars, bores the shit out of me, the equipment they use is no worse than mine if anything it's better, my mate does a full detail and correction once a year on it but no cash is exchanged, I've often repaired his roof, how people pay silly money to have it detailed is mad imo, 2 weeks later and it dirty again lol, if that's your thing though great.
We take our works van to a local hand wash, a couple of years on and it looks like someone's sandpapered it. Surely you at least put some protection on the paint after they've done it?
My mate did a full detail and this protection stuff on it a year ago so should be fine, looks good in the garage anyway , can't see any marks on it
