Touchless Car Washes??
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What are your thoughts on the Touchless Car Washes? I know that standard Car-Washes have a bad stigma attached to them because the rotating brushes, etc... scratch your paint. However, what do you think about the Touchless Car Washes where just water, soap and wax is sprayed onto your car, then air dried with a machine at the end? I live in New England and it's nearly impossible to consistently hand-wash my car in the Winter-time and other times throughout the year due to our unpredictable weather.
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They are generally dangerous. Often there are people wiping the car with swirl-riffic towels at the end. Sometimes the air machine will use a wheel that scratches the paint also. Some of the newer machines are said to be okay but I have my doubts...
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Touchless washes will not damage your finish and if it is too cold to wash it yourself it is better than leaving your car dirty. Be sure to use the totally touchless variety like the Lazer wash. I'd skip the wax application and opt for the wash and undercarrage cleaning. Don't go to a wash where some kids dry your car with towels.
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Originally Posted by DiamondBLK
What are your thoughts on the Touchless Car Washes? I know that standard Car-Washes have a bad stigma attached to them because the rotating brushes, etc... scratch your paint. However, what do you think about the Touchless Car Washes where just water, soap and wax is sprayed onto your car, then air dried with a machine at the end? I live in New England and it's nearly impossible to consistently hand-wash my car in the Winter-time and other times throughout the year due to our unpredictable weather.
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I would urge caution. A lot of "touchless" car washes really are not. It depends on the quality of the business operation. And remember, the often lowly paid folks drying your car use terry towels to dry off and you never know where that towel has been and in my experience they almost always induce swirling.
Just want the owners here to be aware of the dangers. I learned the hard way about "touchless" car washes.
Just want the owners here to be aware of the dangers. I learned the hard way about "touchless" car washes.
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i don't do automatic car washes.. they're not strong enough and they damage the car, i just do it myself, that way if something goes wrong, i know it's my fault and i have no one else to blame.. if you want it done right, do it yourself!
my 2 cents
my 2 cents
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#9
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The problem with them is...
You just don't know what the chemical make-up of the pre-rinse/rinse is. If you could talk to the owner (the operator may not know) then you might be assured. But *some* have been known (according to websites I have read this-no firsthand knowledge) to use a hydroflouric acid in the water/pre -rinse. Cleans well, but strips wax and sealant too, and can cause dulling...or worse. Now...these may be the minority, but how to tell?
It's a matter of knowing what's "in the mix" and that's not always easy to predict or ascertain, unless you know someone who works there who knows what goes into the process.
Some will try to cut costs and use hard water, but I would think most would use filtered /soft water in that business, at least as a rinse.
You just don't know what the chemical make-up of the pre-rinse/rinse is. If you could talk to the owner (the operator may not know) then you might be assured. But *some* have been known (according to websites I have read this-no firsthand knowledge) to use a hydroflouric acid in the water/pre -rinse. Cleans well, but strips wax and sealant too, and can cause dulling...or worse. Now...these may be the minority, but how to tell?
It's a matter of knowing what's "in the mix" and that's not always easy to predict or ascertain, unless you know someone who works there who knows what goes into the process.
Some will try to cut costs and use hard water, but I would think most would use filtered /soft water in that business, at least as a rinse.
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Originally Posted by camillian
What about the water pressure these touchless car washes use. Is it strong enough to remove the wax or Zaino we work so hard to apply?
I'm refering to this location because I know you know where it is camillian,
cheers,
Fern
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When I hear the term "Touchless Car Wash" I expect "Touchless" means no kids drying your car with questionable towels. All Touchless car washes are not the same. That's why I like to use the Laser Wash in the winter months. These dry your car with blowers. The rinse water is sprayed at up to 1,000psi so it is not really like using a high-pressure washer but is strong enough to remove most dirt and grime especially if you keep your car freshly waxed. They also use de-ionized rinse water so any drops that remain should not form spots.
This method of removing salt and winter crud is clearly better than leaving it on your car. I usually use a QD right after with some plush microfibers to gently remove anything still on the finish and I apply a booster spray wax after every other wash. This makes the paint very slick and slippery so the salt and crud are easier to remove.
This method of removing salt and winter crud is clearly better than leaving it on your car. I usually use a QD right after with some plush microfibers to gently remove anything still on the finish and I apply a booster spray wax after every other wash. This makes the paint very slick and slippery so the salt and crud are easier to remove.
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I have to use a touchless carwash here in Michigan during the winter. Every week my car is caked with salt. It's horrible I hate it. Damn west coasters you got it good, I should've stayed in Florida!
The one I use has no tracks, no kids, nothing touches. But every spring its kinda like starting over but I look forward to it. I think the chemicals in those things strip everything. But even if they don't they add layers of their soap,wax,polish type crap over your nice wax/polish so you have to strip, clean, and start over. Once it gets a little warm, out comes the clay bar and the Zaino.
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#13
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Originally Posted by jfelbab
When I hear the term "Touchless Car Wash" I expect "Touchless" means no kids drying your car with questionable towels. All Touchless car washes are not the same. That's why I like to use the Laser Wash in the winter months. These dry your car with blowers. The rinse water is sprayed at up to 1,000psi so it is not really like using a high-pressure washer but is strong enough to remove most dirt and grime especially if you keep your car freshly waxed. They also use de-ionized rinse water so any drops that remain should not form spots.
This method of removing salt and winter crud is clearly better than leaving it on your car. I usually use a QD right after with some plush microfibers to gently remove anything still on the finish and I apply a booster spray wax after every other wash. This makes the paint very slick and slippery so the salt and crud are easier to remove.
This method of removing salt and winter crud is clearly better than leaving it on your car. I usually use a QD right after with some plush microfibers to gently remove anything still on the finish and I apply a booster spray wax after every other wash. This makes the paint very slick and slippery so the salt and crud are easier to remove.
I've never got swirl marks or scratches from it. I also apply a quick detail after the wash and it works great for the winter months.
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It's a matter of knowing what's "in the mix" and that's not always easy to predict or ascertain, unless you know someone who works there who knows what goes into the process.
Some will try to cut costs and use hard water, but I would think most would use filtered /soft water in that business, at least as a rinse.
Some will try to cut costs and use hard water, but I would think most would use filtered /soft water in that business, at least as a rinse.
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