touchless car washes?

[hulk311]

I live in MI and even though I garage my 4runner it still gets dirty and salt and snow do built up on the lower portion of the truck. I was wondering if touchless car washes were ok? I know that the ones with the big rollers do scratch cars but the ones with the high pressure jets seem to be ok?

 

[Ill4Runner]

I always use the manual car wash bays. If it was a must to use the touchless, go to the car wash that's brand new with quality equipment.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

While we don't get the amount of salt and grime that you do (Thank God for that!), I find that most touchless - Laserwash, etc. - car wash places do a reasonably good job on 'normal' dirt that accumulates during a week of commuting duty. Of course, if you went off-roading or are at the end of a huge snowstorm, a "hand job" :biggrin2: might be necessary for your vehicle.

There is a place close to me that has a 'basic' wash for six bucks and it is touchless. Right down the street, there is a place with soft felt brushes and they charge $7 (but give you a free vacuum and a 'jet-air dry' for your exterior). For the extra dollar, I find that it is well worth it - especially for the wheels.

A full-service joint that cleans your interior windows and wipes down your dashboard is nearby, but it is hard to get out of there for less than $20 (including tip). I only go there if my car is extremely dirty (which very seldom happens), the weather is far below freezing or if someone gives me a gift certificate for the place.

I would not worry about scratches anymore, as even the most rugged automatic car wash is light years ahead of those that were 'state of the art' just a decade ago. You'll get more damage from road debris and door dings than you will from a typical car wash.

As for the self-serve car washes, the high-pressure nozzle is good for blasting road salt away from the wheels and undercarriage.......but beware the hand brush that may have been used by some dolt to degrease his engine.
:bash:

 

[Ill4Runner]

I always clean my tires with the brush before I move to the body to be sure everything is good. If for some chance I decided to use a different car wash and the brushes look like crap (usually the square, rectangular brushes), I won't use them.

 

[toto]

I tried a touchless car wash once, and decided it wasn't very effective. It also tests all of the seals on the windows! The gas stations near me want at least $6 for a basic wash - not worth it, in my opinion.

I also quit going to automatic car washes, even what I'd consider to be a good one that's reasonably close to my house. My previous car was a very similar color to the Shadow Mica, and I took it to that car wash regularly with an annual pass. Over time, fine scratches started becoming more obvious, particularly around the rear corners of the car by the tail lights.

When I got the 4Runner, I went back to washing it in the driveway, or else using the coin-op manual car wash in the winter. I use the minimum amount of time ($2 worth of quarters for 4 minutes) to wash and rinse, and then wipe the whole thing down afterward. Wiping it off is part of the secret, as the towel is filthy when I'm done but the truck is pretty clean.

 

[qballjr13]

I always clean my tires with the brush before I move to the body to be sure everything is good.

You mean you get brake dust, tar and road grime from your wheels and tires all over the brush THEN use it on your paint??

I used the true touchless (such as laserwash as someone refered to before). I would never use the manual washes, who know what the guy before you used that brush on. I only wash by hand in the warmer weather but to blast the winter salt and sand off the body and undercarraige I use the touchless. I will never ever use the car washes with the automated brushes or the manual wash bays...unless you bring a bucket and sponge with you and just use the high pressure water to soak the car down, (which I have done before) and use my own sponge to wash it by hand.

If you want professional detailing tips and product reviews try checking out http://autopia.org/ The guys in that forum know more about detailing and cleaning that I could ever dream to know.

 

[toto]

You mean you get brake dust, tar and road grime from your wheels and tires all over the brush THEN use it on your paint??

No, you never use the brush on the paint!!
Use the pressure gun to both wash and rinse. Basically, it's a hand-held touchless car wash.

 

[qballjr13]

No, you never use the brush on the paint!!
Use the pressure gun to both wash and rinse. Basically, it's a hand-held touchless car wash.

Sorry, I misunderstood you....I feel better now though. Thanks for clearing that up. The way you just described makes sense.

 

[Buckfever]

I only use the touchless ones. I think you get surface scratches to the clear coat with the one's that use brushes over time. There is a great deal of variance between the Touchless ones. Some are pretty good and some are fair at best. So find a good one and stick to it. Also if you want the touchless to really be effective, you have to go often. $6 is a lot, but here in the winter, I don't see as there is a choice, you got to get that stuff off.

 

[Falls]

Touchless/automatic ones are great , try to go a good maintained one with new eq.. We have a new one very close to me and it owner operated , he is on site all the time except nights. Very well maintained place. I go there all the time.

Using the brushes in one of the touchless/manual do it yourself ones is BAAAAADDDDD !!!!!!!

Using a drive through with the soft pads that flop against your car is also something to avoid. The pads still pick up debris from other vehicles and that debris is then dragged across your vehicle.No matter what they tell you it still happens and it WILL scratch or mar the paint.

My technique is to go to the touchless. Get the 6.00 wash which includes the underbody flush ( for winter salt ect...) I then come home pull it in the garage and spray & wipe it down with a quick detailer type of product that has a cleaner and polymers in it . ( wipe gently , don't rub) , buff to a nice shine. Works quick & well for me ( I also have a full heated garage which makes winter clean ups easier ).

IF your truck is muddy , I would use the touchless/manual 1st to get the heavy crap off and then go in for touchless/automatic. Total cost of the 2 operations 8.00 .

I've been detailing for 20+ years This is just a few tips for people who use carwashes. NEVER let anything touch you vehicle except when you go over it with micro fiber towels to dry , wash , wax , quick detail.

 

[racefan_67]

....great info Falls....by the way, have you ever posted any pics of your Cobra?