Steam washing car, will it induces swirl?

[scoutfai]

Some local car wash guys start offering steam wash service in my area. Because there is a water rationing happening here for a month and might last longer than a month, such service starting to get attention.

Just a question, does steam washing actually cause any swirl on the car paint?

What I see the car wash guys do are, they use a mf towel, blowing some hot steam (might not be as hot as boiling water) and at the same time wipe with the towel.

Undoubtedly a lot of stubborn dirt like bird drop can get soften and melt away but is it really safe to use this method on exterior instead of interior? I see a lot of people use it for interior, wheel, engine, all look fine to me. When come to exterior paint surface, I am in doubt.

Some example pictures from the internet so you guys know what I am talking about.

In the above picture the guy use glove. So I bet it is hot. But the persons doing it here do not need to use glove so I think the temperature should not be too hot to handle by bare hand skin.

The following from the service provided here:

 

[artofdetailing]

steam just makes washing look cool but in fact thats probably doing more damage than a one bucket wash without a grit guard. Lubricity is what keeps the surface from getting scratched when you touch the paint. While steam breaks dirt up, there is still no lubricity guiding the dirt away from the finish.

 

[tpr1634]

Just looking at those pics scare me, no thanks.

 

[PrismDetailing]

The fact they are using a microfibre cloth flat (without folding it) does not give enough cushioning and will be like using a sponge and water only. I tried it as i was considering eco friendly options and this was the results on my own van

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FLpO9cHmDk]Vapour (steam) only wash - the effects ! - YouTube[/video]

 

[Audi X2]

I would take a rinseless wash any day of the year vs. this steam wash.

 

[jamesboyy]

Steam cleaning is good for many part's in automotive detailing world but not to clean the paintwork steam near any paintwork is bad business

 

[scoutfai]

OK from all the replies it seems like my feeling is right that it is a bad idea.
What about touch-less steam washing? Will it induces swirl too?
What I mean is, just blowing how steam vapor onto the paint surface, without wiping or any sort, just pure blowing. Will this action causes any undesired effect on the paint?

 

[Evan.J]

Rinesless wash or waterless wash is the way to go.

 

[FUNX650]

OK from all the replies it seems like my feeling is right that it is a bad idea.
What about touch-less steam washing? Will it induces swirl too?
What I mean is, just blowing how steam vapor onto the paint surface, without wiping or any sort, just pure blowing. Will this action causes any undesired effect on the paint?

This steaming-to-clean being safe, or not, on BC/CC paint systems has been debated for at least several decades now.

It's usually not the inducement of swirls/scratches that gets the most attention in these debates (this can happen using any means to wash vehicles)...

It's the "thermal stress" that the paints are alleged to undergo when steaming-to-clean...that's most scrutinized.

Bob

 

[AutowerxDetailing]

This steaming-to-clean being safe, or not, on BC/CC paint systems has been debated for at least several decades now.

It's usually not the inducement of swirls/scratches that gets the most attention in these debates (this can happen using any means to wash vehicles)...

It's the "thermal stress" that the paints are alleged to undergo when steaming-to-clean that's most scrutinized.

Bob

Could it be that this sort of steam treatment is heating the surface making the paint softer and thus even more susceptible to damage?

 

[FUNX650]

Could it be that this sort of steam treatment is heating the surface making the paint softer and thus even more susceptible to damage?

We would have to know what the extreme temperature parameters are (for both hot and cold) that paint formulators have determined that cured-paints can undergo before damages will occur.

I'm not privy to these temperatures...
But I'll propose that:
With the hood of a black-color vehicle sometimes reaching ~ 190F+ degrees in direct Sun during the Summertime:
Would 212F actually cause damages to the paint, if proper technique is employed? And that includes proper pressure... behind the steam...being utilized.

Would thermal-stressing be more damaging when steam-cleaning frigid paints?


Bob

 

[Flash Gordon]

Sad to say the days of 'hose washing' are coming to an end - something has got to change. We are running out of water! You can't duplicate that stuff!

 

[SR99]

I wonder what localized temperatures the paint reaches due to friction from aggressive buffing pads and compound?

 

[AutowerxDetailing]

Sad to say the days of 'hose washing' are coming to an end - something has got to change. We are running out of water! You can't duplicate that stuff!

Living in Oregon the thought of the water "running out" is hard to wrap my brain around with how much it freaking rains here. With that being said I know there is a problem. I've been watching a lot of documentaries lately about water shortages and the looming problems related to water quality due to indiscriminate usage of freshwater resources.

Take a look at Lake Mead. It's scary!

 

[FUNX650]

I wonder what localized temperatures the paint reaches due to friction from aggressive buffing pads and compound?

Even if localized buffing-temperatures would not reach 212F+...

There are times when the paint will "twist" from being simultaneously heated and incurring a buffing machine's rotating (and possibly the oscillating?) of pads/abrasives.

And, also:
There have been reports of "paint swelling" from paints better absorption abilities, of the chemicals involved in the heat-inducing buffing processes.

True...or not true?!?...
Still something to consider, IMO.


Bob

 

[davey g-force]

Could it be that this sort of steam treatment is heating the surface making the paint softer and thus even more susceptible to damage?

Good question. I'm no materials scientist, but my guess would be "yes".