You have no idea how bad they really are. I am a manager at one, it's a job while I finish college, and they will strip the protection off. We use a strong acid, followed by a weaker acid, then a base that has "acidic" properties and a few other very strong bases and other chemicals. In the summer, at least here in Chicago, is the worst time to go through an automatic wash. We turn the ratios of all of our products up much higher than in the winter to clean the oils and other such mess that get on the car from rain water, etc. In the winter the chemicals in the wash are much lower but will still strip the protection off of your paint. Not to mention the amount of contaminants that get stuck in the cloths that hang from over head. Remember that touch-less washes are different than touch-free washes. Neither is good for your paint though.
Do automatic car washes strip protection?
- Thread starter grambow
- Start date
just curious....how do you think opti-coat holds up using a touch-less car wash?
On a slightly different product, on one car, I used Prima Hydroseal. The car has been through a touch-less 2 times in the past 4 months. The sealer seems to be holding up really well.
On a slightly different product, on one car, I used Prima Hydroseal. The car has been through a touch-less 2 times in the past 4 months. The sealer seems to be holding up really well.
BobbyG
New member
- Dec 29, 2009
- 13,211
- 0
Optimum Opti-Coat is a permanent coating with similar characteristics to the clear cost on your car. Once applied to the clean finish the only way to remove it is polishing with an abrasive product.
Prima Hydro-Seal is a very nice product. I bought some and Nick just happened to post an application video and it's so easy to apply. It's durability is superb and it's gloss and shine are outstanding.....
rops:Prima Hydro Seal: How To Apply - YouTube
dougaross
New member
- Aug 3, 2010
- 1,591
- 0
The only issue I have had with touchless washes is the crap they use for bead free rinse and I think they call it color protection. Not that it affects the OC2 coating, but the residue sits on top of the coating and ends up reducing the beading of the OC until it is washed off.