After filling up the other day in the 100+ degree heat, I did something very out of the ordinary for me. I did one of those touchless car washes for 5 bucks. Let the record show that I normally hand wash with TLC, but after slaving in the yard for a couple of hours I was beat. I was somewhat surprised with the results. One stage was called spot free rinse and it worked pretty good.
This thing used some very high pressure spray at close range that actually shook the car. Any thoughts on what, if any, damage this might be doing to paint, wax job, or anything else? Of course I still had to finish off the front wheel brake dust when I got home.

LF'n8

 

The only thing I'd be concerned with is the quality of water they use in those types of places.

 

the touchless wash probably washed all the protectio from your car away with the harsh chemicals they use... the high pressure water probably embedded dirt into your paint...

 

NO,NO,NO...

The touchless is fine.. it just doesent do as good of a job as a hand wash!!!
I would look the car over afterwards for any scratches just in case.
(I do prefer a hand wash)

 

most touchless car washd etergents do strip protection... next time wax your car and look at the beadings then go to the touchless car wash... and look at the beadings again. you tell me what happens. and yes if the pressure of the water is that high it bsically using a high pressure system to wash a dirty car. just imagin what kind of pressure 2000+ psi is.

 

uh that was almost kinda funny.


My baby would never get such impersonal treatment as an automatic carwash. It's hands-on all the way babay!!!

 

Say goodbye to the wax on your car. Unfortunately most of those places use soap that's the equivilant to dish washing soap....nice and cheap.

 

So what does everybody suggest in the winter? There's no way I'm goin' outside when it's 3 degrees out to hand wash my car...but leaving all the salty road grime on the paint all winter is no good either.

 

Hmm, never really thought of what you guys do out in the colder locations.

I guess you'd have to find a place that didn't have all the hi-power jets and just know that you'll need a really good wax job as soon as the winter is over.

I guess Mr. Clean Auto Dry system is out also...

 

i wash outside when its below freezing out ... then again i have a warm water hose so i have running water... but its still cold. you gotta show dedication and love!

 

Well when living in Chicago I would routinely take my cars to the DIY bays(not the automatic) and use the high pressure to rinse off any salt and residue. Specifically from underneath and inside the wheel wells. Just don't use those brushes to wash, as they can definately scratch the paint. Then when warmer weather prevails just give it a good hand wash.
Fortunately for me I got my 8 here in FL. so it's never seen snow.

 

Which is generally poor quality recycled, until the final, minor, 'rinse.' e.g. Mobil touchless car washes.

For dead of winter slushy dirt removal it'll do (although I won't be driving my '8 in that), but here in NE that's about it.

Of course with the touch type in winter it can be worse if they don't keep the brushes/flaps clean. Sandpaper otherwise.

For summer, don't be lazy, hand wash is the only way to go.

btw: I tried one of those Mr. Clean 'guaranteed not to spot' filters a couple weeks ago. It did spot on my moonroof, albeit it was, atypically, in the hot sunshine. Back to shade and immediate California blade and shammying for me!!

 

bah stop being a bunch of pansies and hand wash your 8s during the winter!!!

 

Try QEW (Quick and Easy Wash), it's a rinseless wash so no hose required. I'll be using this when I'm up at college this year.

 

You sure about the 2000PSI statement, that is a pretty insane pressure, a few hundred I could buy but 2000. Just imagine the pump you would need to generate that kind of pressure!

 

^ its not unusual. regular small POS ELECTRIC (which is the weakest of all power washers) are around 1700-1800psi's. gas powered ones are actually over 2200psi and those are the small gas power ones. the normal ones are around 3500psi. lol you wouldnt want kids with one around you . btw yes QEW works great on dirty cars. really impressive how much lube it can provide w/ just a bucket of QEW diluted.

qew:
http://www.concoursecarcare.com.au/category19_1.htm

 

This was the first time ever not being hand washed in 42,000 miles. I don't think I'll be making a habit of having "wax stripper" applied to my car followed by 2000 psi of recycled grunge water. WTF was I thinking I'm going out in the garage right now to appologize to my baby

 

Once in 42k, I think she'll forgive you.