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While it isn’t necessary, some people say a car should be washed every week to two weeks. This could become a burdensome task however, not to mention expensive. With the proper protection and upkeep in place, a proper wash should only be necessary once a month.

Insect residue, and tree sap for that matter if you park under trees, should be taken care of as soon as possible. The longer it sits on the paint, the more time it has to eat through the clear coat and damage the exterior of your vehicle.

This choice is ultimately up to you. A traditional drive through car wash could scratch your paint and not do a good job of cleaning your car, theoretically making your car worse than before it went in. A touchless drive through car wash would do a decent job at cleaning your car without scratching your paint like a traditional car wash, but still leaves dirt and scratches behind. A hand car wash would be the best choice for cleanliness and protection by a professional detailer.

Theoretically, a touchless car wash is safe for your car as there are no parts that physically touch your car. However, the highly pressurized water jets could be too powerful and damaging to your paint and they also spread dirt across your paint, scratching it as it is pushed across. They also leave behind a film of dirt and road grime on your vehicle. The chemicals used to clean your car are also tough on wax and other sealants, decreasing their effectiveness in protecting your paint. They also wear out the plastics of your exterior over time.