You can totally polish those pillars. Preferably with a dual action polisher on a low/medium speed, a less aggressive pad and any readily available polish.
Edit: Don’t forget to add a spray on sealant or maybe buy a polish that has a sealant built in so you can get a little durability on the finish.
First: a "touchless" car wash is a marketing gimmick. You can't properly clean and maintain a car's finish without touching it, period.
Second: to make up for not "touching" your car, a "touchless" car wash uses very strong chemicals (very high pH) - which are neither good for your cars finish or trim.
I've been DYI/driveway detailing for 40 years and used to have a family member who owned a detailing shop that I'd work at sometimes and another in the automotive finishes industry.
You are thinking correctly regarding minimizing swirls and love marks when washing, but in the end, you have to touch it to clean it.
Just invest a little time to learn how to contact wash your vehicle using the professional techniques that will all but eliminate your concern.
There are enough YT videos on the subject of washing to keep you busy from now until you ring in 2026.
When I purchased my new Honda Passport I had my PPF shop polish all the gloss black trim and cover it with PPF. I have grown so tired of gloss black everywhere and trying to keep it scratch free.
You can totally polish those pillars. Preferably with a dual action polisher on a low/medium speed, a less aggressive pad and any readily available polish.
Edit: Don’t forget to add a spray on sealant or maybe buy a polish that has a sealant built in so you can get a little durability on the finish.
Even the matte ones?
I’d say almost all of the matte ones are vinyl wrapped and you can. Just the level of gloss may change but that would look better than this.
For Matte ones you can use a paint cleaner
Do your car a favor, STOP going to the car wash.
Exactly this
Why? I am genuinely asking because I use the touchless car wash on my new Mazda and don’t want it damaged.
First: a "touchless" car wash is a marketing gimmick. You can't properly clean and maintain a car's finish without touching it, period.
Second: to make up for not "touching" your car, a "touchless" car wash uses very strong chemicals (very high pH) - which are neither good for your cars finish or trim.
Ok thanks, I won’t go there again.
So a foam cannon with a pressure washer wouldn’t properly clean a car? Genuinely asking because l was planning to begin doing this in the spring.
If you do it weekly it will since there will be minimal dirt and dust. But if you only wash it once every 3-6 months, it'll be a waste of time.
While that technique will get heavy road grime off your car and prep for a contact wash, there is no substitution for a contact wash, period.
Why are you trying to avoid a contact wash?
To avoid swirls and abrasions. And my impression was it that it’s very effective and simple. No more sponges, no more buckets.
I've been DYI/driveway detailing for 40 years and used to have a family member who owned a detailing shop that I'd work at sometimes and another in the automotive finishes industry.
You are thinking correctly regarding minimizing swirls and love marks when washing, but in the end, you have to touch it to clean it.
Just invest a little time to learn how to contact wash your vehicle using the professional techniques that will all but eliminate your concern.
There are enough YT videos on the subject of washing to keep you busy from now until you ring in 2026.
Sponge and foam is the way
Just get them rewrapped
Yup, polish the pillars.
When I purchased my new Honda Passport I had my PPF shop polish all the gloss black trim and cover it with PPF. I have grown so tired of gloss black everywhere and trying to keep it scratch free.
Touch less and Touch washes use HARSH chemicals… hand wash only if you want your vehicle’s paint and plastics to last.
Try some detail spray first
Eagle One wadding compound
Back to black worked like a charm on mine
Tape them off and re paint with black trim paint.
This stuff is awesome. Chemical Guys Heavy Duty Water Spot Remover Gel
I just rubbed with my thumb and the spots came right off.
60 grit and some spit.