Automatic car washes ??

[AZpolisher15]

Hey crew. I quit going to the "touch" car washes years ago. I'm now primarily a two bucket guy, but I still do a touchless automatic once in awhile (usually winter). I figure if it's not touching that paint, no biggie. But I've read so often on here that the chemicals they use at ANY car wash, touchless or otherwise, are bad for our paint.

So, give me the low down here... What is so bad about that soaps/waxes they use? Is it nothing more than the fact that it decreases LSP longevity due to harshness? Because if that's the case, I apply LSP often enough that it's probably not a concern. I love trying new products any chance I get. Or is there more to it- is it actually damaging my paint?

Just curious here.

 

[RangerDetails]

I heard they use degreasers. Can anyone confirm?

 

[sweatthedetails]

The car washes use strong scents and dyes to appeal to our senses. The problem I've seen is that these additives can actually discolor chrome and plastics. I have even noticed some discoloring on lighter paint.


www.JaxDetails.com
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I may be slow, but I do poor work.

 

[Wheelzntoys]

The high alkaline soap will start stripping your wax.

Better to let it strip wax than leave ice salt on your vehicle, make sure to use a waterless wash to dry afterwards.

Touchless tend to not remove all the dirt effectively.

 

[oldmodman]

Last drive through wash I used was at on a rental car at a winter wedding in Missouri. It was 17 degrees below zero and there was no way I was going to wash that car!

The was was jammed! It was all indoor and fully heated. The guy that owned it was a great marketer. No other wash in town was even open in the winter. Columbia, Missouri.

 

[FUNX650]

•Some DIY car washes are better than
others...at first...but eventually they
meet the same fate as the rest of them:
-Proper maintenance is like a four letter
word to some car wash owner/operators.
But I digress.

•As to this thread's topic:
-For this type of fact finding mission...
I'll suggest to collect a few test tubes of
their "recycled water/cleaning chemicals"
concoction...and have these samples
analyzed at a location like your local
Community College's Science labs.


•You'll probably be shocked to find out,
what all comes out of those DIY-wands:
-Yep...all the stuff with which you're
sandblasting your vehicle...


Bob