Fading Paint? What Toronto Drivers Need to Know About Car Washes, Products & Protection

Depiction of a car being washed with products and conditions that may damage the finish of a car.

Most people want their cars to look good and last long. But in trying to save time or cut corners, it’s easy to make choices that quietly wear a vehicle down.

You’ve probably seen the ads: miracle cleaners, ultra-cheap ceramic sprays, fast shine in a bottle. Some of these are knockoff or imitation products that aren’t tested for long-term use on real cars. And just like low-grade tools can strip bolts, these can strip waxes, fade plastics, or dull your paint.

Why Knockoff Car Products Are Risky

Not every product on the shelf (or website) is safe just because it says, “car care.” In recent years, Canada has seen a quiet rise in copycat detailing and automotive products, some even sold in bulk to shops trying to improve their bottom line.

Here’s what we’ve seen in on Toronto cars coming in:

Left side shows paint condition using traditional car washes in the GTA. Eternity Car Care corrected and protected the finish.

• Micro-marring of painted surfaces. There are endless ways that improper car car products, tools and conditions can arise to cause these tiny abrasions that dull the finish. They typically go unnoticed as they build up over time and can only be seen in ideal lighting conditions.

• Faded plastics and cracked trim. Harsh solvents, especially on unsealed plastics, break down protective layers fast.

• Toxic odours and perfumes. Some interior sprays have unregulated chemical levels. They’re cheaper, but passengers pay for it later.

• Streaky finishes. Some quick-detailing sprays or soaps don’t rinse clean, especially under sun or heat. Instead of protecting the car, they leave behind residues that attract dust, etch paint and dull the finish.

  
  

Unlike verified, top-tiered brands and proven products that disclose pH levels and safety data, many of these low-cost imports skip quality control entirely. It’s not just about the shine, it’s about knowing what’s in the bottle.

What About Automatic Car Washes?

Many people use them, and for good reason. If it’s the middle of a Toronto winter and your car is coated in salt, a touchless wash can help slow corrosion. But they’re not a full solution.

Many automatic washes use alkaline soaps and industrial degreasers that are designed for speed and efficiency. These chemicals can strip away waxes or sealants, leaving your paint unprotected over time. While they work well to remove grime, they don’t care much about the layers of protection manufacturers and detailers put in place.

Brush washes can be even tougher on paint. Dirt and grit from previous vehicles can get trapped in the bristles. Once they hit your car, they don’t just clean, they drag that grit across your clear coat. Even touchless washes can leave behind swirl marks, especially if no proper pre-rinse is done before high-pressure blasting.

Depiction of traditional touch car wash with tracks.

We’ve also seen this at the higher end. Cars that get complimentary washes from luxury dealerships sometimes come in with damaged paint, trim, or seals, typically from abrasive brushes, harsh cleaners, and rushed processes that prioritize volume over long term care.

Signs of Damage from Common Wash Habits:

• Swirl marks and fine scratches

• Faded trim or dulled paint

• Etching around bird droppings or bug splatter that wasn’t fully removed

• Oxidation on previously coated panels

  
  

None of these happen overnight. That’s what makes them easy to ignore, until the clear coat is compromised and paint correction becomes costly.

Why DIY or Professional Detailing Makes a Difference

Doing it yourself, if you have the time, can be a great way to learn what your car needs. Here’s where it helps:

• Gentler tools. Microfiber, pH-neutral soaps, and the right drying technique prevent scratches and extends the life of your cars finish.

• Custom cleaning. You can target neglected areas: door jambs, undercarriage, wheel wells, engine bay.

• Early fixes. DIYers spot small problems before they get big; stone chips, rust, or failing rubber seals.

• Product control. You know what’s being used, researched your inventory and ensure that application is done according to manufacturers recommendations and best practices.

  
  

For those who don’t have the time or just want it done right, a trusted detail shop will use safe, tested products. At Eternity Car Care, we chose not to align with individual brands or product lines. Instead, we continue to test the best rated products on the market and combine our decades of experience in the industry to choose the best products for our clients.  We always reach for the safest most environmentally friendly solutions first.  Take salt stain removal for example we recommend a natural proven approach with a simple homemade vinegar solution (50% White vinegar/50% distilled water) combined with steam and extraction. We wouldn’t use anything on your car we wouldn’t use on our own.

Conclusion:

We’re not saying never go through an automatic car wash. We’re not saying every budget product is dangerous. But we are saying that your car’s finish is only as durable as the care it gets and some choices, while fast or cheap, come with a longer-term cost.

Whether you’re a DIYer or you’d rather hand off the job, knowing what’s best for your car is essential. If you have questions, ask us. We’d rather help you keep it protected over correcting damage later.

And if you’re ever unsure about a tool or product to tackle a specific DIY project, we’ll gladly consult you with what you already have and/or share our discount with trusted local suppliers to supplement what you may be missing. 

---

Video Credit: Wan 2.1 Open Source AI Video Generator

Image Credit: Eternity Car Care, Wix,