Go to the auto detailing sub Reddit. There is a huge spectrum of how to take care of your car. I personally never go to any automated wash because the brushes that touch your car will leave micro scratches and over time your paint will just look less good. On the other hand, the gold standard is two bucket system whereby you dip the mitt in a rinse bucket and then the soap bucket - both with grit guards - to minimize swirl marks and micro scratches. Obviously that takes way more time and is way more expensive. Most people use the machines. You have to do what works for you.
Go to the auto detailing sub Reddit. There is a huge spectrum of how to take care of your car. I personally never go to any automated wash because the brushes that touch your car will leave micro scratches and over time your paint will just look less good. On the other hand, the gold standard is two bucket system whereby you dip the mitt in a rinse bucket and then the soap bucket - both with grit guards - to minimize swirl marks and micro scratches. Obviously that takes way more time and is way more expensive. Most people use the machines. You have to do what works for you.