Touchless Car Washes - Any Good?

Samsungnote10 on 10/12/2020 - 19:27

am expecting my christmas present to myself , my first new car, and want to keep it clean, as well as its a black car

dont know much about cars, but as far as my research and listening to other people

dont use those car washes that have those spinning brushes, as they damage paint

dont use those self serve washing bays as people have used those brushes to wash mud and will also damage your paint,

best is to DIY at home with the right equipment,

Saw a few touchless youtube videos and they look pretty safe and pretty good

My local one might have one of those unlimited washes per month type plans which dont look too bad

any drawbacks with touchless car washes?

Automotive

Comments

  • Melb69 on 10/12/2020 - 19:38
    +3

    They never really clean it that well. Best result is to wash it yourself with a 2 bucket system. Many tips already on washing here and on YouTube.

    The less you touch it the better. Just depends on how concerned yoi are about keeping it looking good. Maybe get a coating on it.

  • Boioioioi on 10/12/2020 - 20:10
    +2

    What I like to do is use a snowfoam like product and do touchless wash at home first. This gets as much dust and grime off as much as possible. The less crap on the car the less likely you'll scratch it when doing a touch wash.

    So after that I do two bucket wash with a wax wash solution

  • Jolakot on 10/12/2020 - 20:21

    They're about as good as driving during a rainstorm, will get rid of a lot of the dirt and grime, but tons left over like bird poop.

  • thatonethere on 10/12/2020 - 20:23
    +2

    Best way is to keep the car clean is to store it under cover and ideally fully enclosed in a garage.

  • conza on 10/12/2020 - 20:41

    It depends, as a 'top up' to washing the car yourself or getting it washed by hand, I think they're ok, I like to wash my car by hand but some times paying for a jet machine will do a very good job of keeping it clean, even if it isn't great at 'getting it' clean. I think other's comments are fair, it also depends how dirty the car is, and the type of machine you're using too.

    I'll take the opportunity to say, I hope no one uses those brush machines car washes, I've had those make cars dirtier than when they entered.

  • The Value on 10/12/2020 - 20:43

    dont use those car washes that have those spinning brushes, as they damage paint

    I use those at BP. Wash, rinse, wheel wash, undercar wash, polish and dry. Paint looks fine.

    I also park in a carport every night. Bloody neighbourhood cats sleep on the roof.

  • ShannonN on 10/12/2020 - 21:07
    +1

    The cats in my area did the same as I too am in a carport, strange after I left some milk out for them they never came back

    • Samsungnote10 on 10/12/2020 - 21:09

      depends how much rat poison you used

      • ShannonN on 10/12/2020 - 21:10
        +1

        No I would never use that on a poor cat just knew they had headaches so an aspro was left out

        • donga100 on 10/12/2020 - 21:53

          Were the cats just roaming on the loose without their owners supervising? Isn't that highly irresponsible due to the risk of them killing native wildlife?

          • ShannonN on 11/12/2020 - 04:03
            +1

            @donga100: You got it owners let them out at night plus we are very close to forest/bush area so if the cats choose to go feral the birds lizards etc suffer horrifically

    • psyren89 on 11/12/2020 - 00:30

      I left some milk out for them

      If it was cow's milk, they probably ended up like this deer.

  • brendanm on 10/12/2020 - 22:13
    +1

    As a black car owner, don't get a black car. I have an unlimited wash thing at hoppys, go through 2-3 times a week, the touchless washes are basically pointless.

    • Samsungnote10 on 10/12/2020 - 22:42

      As in they don't clean enough?
      Or leave water marks?

      • brendanm on 10/12/2020 - 22:52
        +2

        They don't clean enough. If I take mine through, it looks like a 6 year old kid washed it. Much better through the hoppys one, which is a touch style car wash. Again, I highly recommend not getting a black car. Pain to keep clean, hot in summer. I swore I'd never get one, yet here we are.

  • phbk on 10/12/2020 - 22:41

    I think touchless washes use high pH detergents and will strip any wax or sealant that you have applied to the paint for protection. As you said, DIY at home with good quality car shampoo, microfibre wash mitt and drying towel. Then every few washes use a quality spray wax or sealant.

  • mini2 on 11/12/2020 - 09:36

    Just foam it first, rinse it, foam it again then 2 bucket it all the way.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/12/2020 - 09:41

    I'm not impressed with any touchless car wash I have tried.
    They don't remove windscreen grime from the area that is not swept by the wipers. Also, they do a lousy job on alloy wheels and if you have a spoiler on the boot, nothing gets properly cleaned below it.

  • sim777 on 11/12/2020 - 10:37

    Another option is to get your car ceramic coated - afterwards you just need to foam —> rinse

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