Touchless washes in heavy snow months

[AustrianOak82]

Got the ST winterized with two coats of Klasse HGSG and still have one coat of Carnauba to put on to finish the job. During the brutal winter months (heavy snow, salted roads), I usually hit up the touchless wash to get the salt off, mostly off the underbody. You always hear the horror stories of the detergents "eating the clear coat!", etc. so I wanted to get some opinions on the touchless wash. I've never noticed a decrease in my wax life by frequenting them in the heavy snow months. Thoughts?

 

[dlc95]

Better than the friction washes for sure.

 

[hernandez.art13]

And what about after the touchless wash. You get home and give it a quick spray wax?

I do it all the time with just my routine washes and I'm on SoCAL. So I would assume that in your case, it might even be beneficial given the conditions your in.

Just a thought.

 

[AustrianOak82]

Better than the friction washes for sure.

A friction wash will never touch my cars!

And what about after the touchless wash. You get home and give it a quick spray wax?

I do it all the time with just my routine washes and I'm on SoCAL. So I would assume that in your case, it might even be beneficial given the conditions your in.

Just a thought.

I usually go through, hop out and wipe it down with a MF. On the interstate back to my house/garage for the 2nd/final wipedown with the MF. I have a bottle of spray wax in case I am going somewhere the next day but the Klasse holds up well.

 

[conman1395]

You should use a waterless wash instead of a spray wax straight after a touchless wash.

 

[AustrianOak82]

You should use a waterless wash instead of a spray wax straight after a touchless wash.

Agreed, I only use the spray wax if I went to the touchless when the car comes back with no grime leftover.

 

[MattPersman]

I have only heard more about the chemicals or soaps or whatever in touchless being hard on the trim and seals, etc long term, IMO I don't think it will harm the clear coat.

Not many touch less washes I have seen now a days, almost all use brush or soft cloth in Indiana. I am just north of Indy and Crew formerly Mikes is the big gun here.

 

[silverfox]

With a good sealant or coating, a commercial touchless car wash will not hurt anything. I ran my car through it over 20 times last winter...never phased my LSPs...i use either DG 105, Sonax polymer netshield or any coating of your choice....plus it sprays the under carriage.

 

[FUNX650]

IMHO:
Getting as much of the snow/ice-melt chemicals' residues
off a vehicle is Job #1 during the Winter months.
If that means going to automated car wash facilities,
(hopefully "brushless"): So be it.

I judge which of the following examples, among others, is worse for a vehicle's future---including its resale value:
-rust promoters
-swirl inducers


Bob