Every detailer in the world will tell you the worst thing you can do for your vehicle's finish is to use an automatic brush car wash. But 90% of those who enjoy a clean car don't have the time/inclination to hand wash their car frequently. I've found that a high-level ceramic coating (not the cheap stuff) does a good job slowing the progression of swirls and micro-scratches that inevitably develop in the finish over time.

My wife is a good example. A clean car is very important to her. She washes her car at least weekly. I know we should have it hand washed, but neither she nor I can keep up with that. So she has a membership at a local wash that does a very good job cleaning the car, and she can wash it as often as she likes.

Problem is that her car is black and shows every scratch, micro or otherwise. She's had her current vehicle for almost three years now, and I just had it in to our local detail shop for a visit. My detailer (not the one that applied the original coating when the car was new) was extremely impressed at the condition of the paint. He was blown away when he saw the car wash sticker in the windshield and asked about the automatic washes. I credit it to the ceramic coating.