jpegs13
New member
- Oct 17, 2009
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Interesting article:
Can Automatic Car Washes Damage Your Car?
Can Automatic Car Washes Damage Your Car?
Automatic Car Wash Article I Found
- Thread starter jpegs13
- Start date
LegacyGT
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- Aug 13, 2010
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FTA:
I don't think they have come across this forum.
This reminds me of a video I saw a while back where they professionally polished out 3 vehicles then washed them with different methods to see which ended up with the most damage. I'll have to poke around to find it.
I don't think they have come across this forum.
This reminds me of a video I saw a while back where they professionally polished out 3 vehicles then washed them with different methods to see which ended up with the most damage. I'll have to poke around to find it.
LegacyGT
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- Aug 13, 2010
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An open question given the opportunity: how bad are touch-less washes; I like to remove the winter salt & grime on a somewhat regular basis during the winter. I don't know if the wash near me (Executive Laser Wash) recycles water or not; there is no shortage of water so I think it may all be fresh water.
SeaJay's
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- Aug 2, 2010
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Wow that article sounds like it was written by someone that owns a car wash...I mean the occasional touchless wash in the winter when it's too cold to actually hand wash your car I can see. However, to state in the article that these car washes that use cloth instead of brushes are better for your car than a hand wash is ridiculous! Even if cloth is used, I'm sure the constant use of the cloth holds onto dirt and then just drags that all over your paint. Plus the added risk of them ripping off things like your antenna, license plates, etc.
Just amazes me!
Just amazes me!
Tesla
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- Aug 5, 2008
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As I understand it, the problem with "touchless wash" places is that they rely upon harsh chemicals to "clean" your vehicle, which present a two fold problem.
1. They will like strip any protection you have on your vehicle and;
2. Continued use could have the effect of drying rubber components and seals around the car (I've also read some say it can dry out paint - although I can't see how).
MrHandWash
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- Oct 3, 2010
- 135
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We run a touchless wash across the street from our carwash/detail shop. I will give you folks some nice informative information:
1). Ask if they have access to city water. You'll know if you have fresh water.
2). If you're worried about recycled salt water, ask or call and speak to whomever is in charge. Ask if they have 1 or 2 recycler tanks. Typically most places have one, which goes through and is reprocessed, but still contains some micro-sediments. If you have 2 tanks, you're guaranteed to have salt-free water.
3). Always make sure you don't have any ice sheeting on your windows. Below temperature windows, obviously everyone in detailing knows you can crack or explode windows.
4). Make sure the water is cold in winter, hot+cold on your glass, same as above.
5). One of the best and most efficient ways to make sure you get your best moneys worth is to simply get the basic, rain-x, and underbody spray. You can always pull it in the garage and wax it if you already haven't for winter. If not, the spray on wax never hurts. You technically could use a protective QD or polish with a synthetic wax for your best protection in winter. One bottle proved enough protection and re-use to save you paying $2-3 extra throughout all of winter.
6). If you have an exterior antenna, ask them to put a bag over it. As well as tape up any loose mirrors.
7). They can retract their wipers in case you have loose side mirrors or panels, this can help avoid losing parts or side trim.
8). If you want, look at their soft cloth wipers before you bring your car through (are they stained dark with dirt all over them? or are they clean?) Make sure they're not bristle brush style. They heavily marr and scratch your paint.
9). Always!!! Check your wheels after you pull through, even at my car wash I have to train employees on how to pull cars in the wash. There are guys at self-serves who guide you in (don't pull the car in for you) but if you scratch your wheels/rims, they won't say a word to you.
10). If you're in a truck, make sure your bed is either closed or is empty. If you have sand and dirt trapped all over your bed, it can get sprayed up onto the soft cloth and marr your truck as well as the rest of the vehicles pulling through.
11). If your truck bed has bungees in it, or items that are light in weight, un hook them and put them inside your truck.
12). If you have a greased hydraulic plate or tow mount in your bed, do "NOT" run it through! or wipe off "ALL" of the lube grease. The long side pivot wiper arms will pick up grease and slosh it all over your bed as well as the rear fenders and back of your truck... and then other vehciles after yours.
13). If you have an extended tow-ball, that is typically over 6 inches long, remove it. if not, sometimes a soft cloth can catch it, and can bend the lock pin, in which case you'll have to cut it and buy a new one.
14). If you have CC failure or dinged paint spots, ask the guy spraying your car to make sure he doesn't get close with the pressure washer. I've seen people blast off inch size sheets of paint before.
15). Make sure to close all of your windows and sunroof should an attendant be the one driving your vehicle through the wash. I've seen countless times where our sprayer (I had him demoted for repeatedly) leaving windows down.
16). Be sure you take your keys out of your vehicle and if you have a manual (I know it's habit, but don't leave it in 1st of reverse, or the E-Brake up).
17). Ask the attendant to get new towels or MF wipes before touching your vehicle. Some washes always use new, and some don't.
18). If you do have them apply a tire gloss (almost all do armor-all, which is water based and can sling all over your rear fenders, wheel wells, and rims) make sure to have them wipe off the excess to avoid this. Sitting armor all on wheels can actually cause stains. Ever wonder why you see coated aluminum wheels with those whiter spots on them? This is why you see those spots.
19). If you have white walls or yellow line walls (mainly on cadillac styled tires for luxury cars) some places use cleaners to whiten your walls. This is something that can be a major issue if left unattended. Slight overspray flings on lower body panles, and is usually not wiped off. A lot of places actually will us Mineral Spirits (paint thinner) to clean these, as well as tar spots on lower body panels. If left on too long it can wear on your clear coat.
20). If you see them drop a towel, ask them to go get a new one. Also if you see them do your door jambs and then try to wipe a missed spot on your body panel, have them get a new towel. Same applies for wheels. Both wheels and door jambs carry heavy sediment contamination that could scratch up your finish. This also applies to your gas cap (should they open it up) and your exhaust tips.
There's more, I'll add to this, or anyone else can. I hope this helps a little :xyxthumbs:
1). Ask if they have access to city water. You'll know if you have fresh water.
2). If you're worried about recycled salt water, ask or call and speak to whomever is in charge. Ask if they have 1 or 2 recycler tanks. Typically most places have one, which goes through and is reprocessed, but still contains some micro-sediments. If you have 2 tanks, you're guaranteed to have salt-free water.
3). Always make sure you don't have any ice sheeting on your windows. Below temperature windows, obviously everyone in detailing knows you can crack or explode windows.
4). Make sure the water is cold in winter, hot+cold on your glass, same as above.
5). One of the best and most efficient ways to make sure you get your best moneys worth is to simply get the basic, rain-x, and underbody spray. You can always pull it in the garage and wax it if you already haven't for winter. If not, the spray on wax never hurts. You technically could use a protective QD or polish with a synthetic wax for your best protection in winter. One bottle proved enough protection and re-use to save you paying $2-3 extra throughout all of winter.
6). If you have an exterior antenna, ask them to put a bag over it. As well as tape up any loose mirrors.
7). They can retract their wipers in case you have loose side mirrors or panels, this can help avoid losing parts or side trim.
8). If you want, look at their soft cloth wipers before you bring your car through (are they stained dark with dirt all over them? or are they clean?) Make sure they're not bristle brush style. They heavily marr and scratch your paint.
9). Always!!! Check your wheels after you pull through, even at my car wash I have to train employees on how to pull cars in the wash. There are guys at self-serves who guide you in (don't pull the car in for you) but if you scratch your wheels/rims, they won't say a word to you.
10). If you're in a truck, make sure your bed is either closed or is empty. If you have sand and dirt trapped all over your bed, it can get sprayed up onto the soft cloth and marr your truck as well as the rest of the vehicles pulling through.
11). If your truck bed has bungees in it, or items that are light in weight, un hook them and put them inside your truck.
12). If you have a greased hydraulic plate or tow mount in your bed, do "NOT" run it through! or wipe off "ALL" of the lube grease. The long side pivot wiper arms will pick up grease and slosh it all over your bed as well as the rear fenders and back of your truck... and then other vehciles after yours.
13). If you have an extended tow-ball, that is typically over 6 inches long, remove it. if not, sometimes a soft cloth can catch it, and can bend the lock pin, in which case you'll have to cut it and buy a new one.
14). If you have CC failure or dinged paint spots, ask the guy spraying your car to make sure he doesn't get close with the pressure washer. I've seen people blast off inch size sheets of paint before.
15). Make sure to close all of your windows and sunroof should an attendant be the one driving your vehicle through the wash. I've seen countless times where our sprayer (I had him demoted for repeatedly) leaving windows down.
16). Be sure you take your keys out of your vehicle and if you have a manual (I know it's habit, but don't leave it in 1st of reverse, or the E-Brake up).
17). Ask the attendant to get new towels or MF wipes before touching your vehicle. Some washes always use new, and some don't.
18). If you do have them apply a tire gloss (almost all do armor-all, which is water based and can sling all over your rear fenders, wheel wells, and rims) make sure to have them wipe off the excess to avoid this. Sitting armor all on wheels can actually cause stains. Ever wonder why you see coated aluminum wheels with those whiter spots on them? This is why you see those spots.
19). If you have white walls or yellow line walls (mainly on cadillac styled tires for luxury cars) some places use cleaners to whiten your walls. This is something that can be a major issue if left unattended. Slight overspray flings on lower body panles, and is usually not wiped off. A lot of places actually will us Mineral Spirits (paint thinner) to clean these, as well as tar spots on lower body panels. If left on too long it can wear on your clear coat.
20). If you see them drop a towel, ask them to go get a new one. Also if you see them do your door jambs and then try to wipe a missed spot on your body panel, have them get a new towel. Same applies for wheels. Both wheels and door jambs carry heavy sediment contamination that could scratch up your finish. This also applies to your gas cap (should they open it up) and your exhaust tips.
There's more, I'll add to this, or anyone else can. I hope this helps a little :xyxthumbs:
Yep, I have seen vehicles that have used touchless washes long term, and they have terrible trim. Paint looks ok, not much shine, but all the rubber and plastic looks twice as old as a similar aged vehicle that was hand washed.
Then there is the issue about maintenance of the wash. Some are clearly better run than others.
Dubbin1
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- May 28, 2009
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I'm pretty sure I posted that video somewhere here on AG. Now if only I could remember the thread it was in.
Bunky
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- Jun 20, 2007
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LegacyGT
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- Aug 13, 2010
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Found it
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZjWkB_q2lE&feature=player_embedded] - Fifth Gear 15x01 Car Wash[/URL]
That's exactly it! Nice find
toxygene
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- Jul 22, 2010
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That is awesome! :dblthumb2: