No Touch Car Wash Opinions

[doitmyself]

I have never used automatic car washes and advised my wife against even using the no touch ones.

Regarding no touch car washes, my hypothesis is that the extreme high pressure water might force it's way into cracks and crevices (molding, trim, welds, electric,etc.), taking with it H2O, dirt,soap,salt, etc.

I think this mindset came from an automotive instructor's pet peeve years ago that claimed high pressure washing of vehicles/engines could result in intrusion past seals (bearings,etc.) because they were designed to keep lubricants in more than high pressure sprays out.

Opinions about no touch car washes?

 

[Burt]

Electronics and bearings, no. I think dirt and salt are already in cracks and crevices and the high pressure wash dilutes them.

 

[aualtima3.5]

Ford had a TSB out for Crown Victorias years ago warning against high pressure washes.

I stay away from the automated ones, but use the hand wands alot in the winter.

I think it's about common sense use of high pressure water, sometihng no touch washes aren't about to take into account.

 

[RamFan]

They're the only ones I use.

 

[Mustang2008Z]

I do not use the touchless type car washes. In my opinion, they are worthless. The touchless car washes do not get the vehicle clean.

I prefer the car washes that use brushes and the "mops" as they were once called that go over the hood of the car, windshield, top, and the trunk.

When I was in high school, and while going to college, I started working at a car wash owned by a Chevrolet dealer, and from my experience, the brushes and "mops" did a great job cleaning the cars.

The "touchless types" sucked dead air.

 

[VicVinegar]

To me they are worthless except for a quick rinse off in the winter. I hand wash, but I do think the modern "brush" car wash is a lot better than it used to be in terms of how damaging it may be to the car.

 

[DoiInthanon]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
...Opinions about no touch car washes?
There is one in our town. I ran my dusty car through it, then took it directly home and hand washed it. The rinse bucket was filthy. The no touch that we have does not do a good job.

 

[simple_gifts]

Can't imagine a 5 minute touchless can get into more crevasses than a 1 hour 65 mph drive in the pouring rain.

 

[gregk24]

Bottom line, auto car washes are not preferred, but will not kill your cars paint if you go to a modern one

 

[yonyon]

That 1 hour drive at 65 MPH has almost all of the water approaching from angles that were known before the car went into production. The car wash...not so much.

 

[Burt]

Originally Posted By: yonyon
That 1 hour drive at 65 MPH has almost all of the water approaching from angles that were known before the car went into production. The car wash...not so much.


Oh please...

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Mustang2008Z
The "touchless types" sucked dead air.

Yes. I liked them back when I drove cab. The car was washed each and every day, sometimes twice or more a day, so a touchless did a reasonable job. For anyone else, forget it.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself
I have never used automatic car washes and advised my wife against even using the no touch ones.

Regarding no touch car washes, my hypothesis is that the extreme high pressure water might force it's way into cracks and crevices (molding, trim, welds, electric,etc.), taking with it H2O, dirt,soap,salt, etc.

I think this mindset came from an automotive instructor's pet peeve years ago that claimed high pressure washing of vehicles/engines could result in intrusion past seals (bearings,etc.) because they were designed to keep lubricants in more than high pressure sprays out.

Opinions about no touch car washes?


I agree with you 100%

I have personaly seen where the High Pressure Water has worked it's way into the headlight housing/assembly, in the sun/moon roof and can also blow off the paint on a newly painted surfaces(if you've had repairs done) and the surface preparation wasn't spot on...but where normal washing or car wash brush washing would have been fine!

I will never use those "LAZER" Car Washes! It's just to much pressure though lots of folks have good success.

 

[RTexasF]

For rinsing salt & slush off in the winter or pollen in the summer they may have some merit. Other than that.....pretty useless.

For the auto washes that do touch the cars....well, they kept me busy as a detailer for many years and put food on the table. Would I use one? Not on a bet.

 

[mikefxu]

Our local car wash has the Mark VII AquaJet and it works great.

http://www.markvii.net/AquaJet-XT-touchless-rollover.9181.0.html

 

[Rolla07]

They are definitely not a hand wash replacement but I still use them every now and than. I get points with gas purchases and use the points for washes. Usually use touch free car washes in winter to get the salt off. Rather go to a touchfree than a touch car wash or one where its a handwash..(wash mitts used repetitively on 1000's of other cars..)

 

[The Critic]

The touchless ones work fine for cars that stay fairly clean. However, the chemicals they use have been known to be somewhat detrimental to a sealant's durability.