Touchless Car Wash

[buda]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

There are two kinds of soil on a dirty car:

a. oil film
b. dirt film

In a touchless wash they have to use applications of acid chemical and then alkaline alkaline to break the ionic bond of both soils on the finish, then high pressure to remove it, hopefully.

Think about it, if you strip off the oil film, what happens to the wax (which is petroleum based), it is stripped off too.

In an cloth or foam wash material wash they do not have to use any stronger car wash shampoo than a detailer or a home washer uses because they depend on friction to help remove the oil and dirt films. And, they use gallons of water and far more foam than detailers or home washers do, to provide a protective barrier between the wash material and the paint.

Where do you live, I can recommend a car wash in your area that will not scratch your car and do an excellent job.


Regards
Bud Abraham
DETAIL PLUS SYSTEMS
Proud Member of the INTERNATIONAL DETAILING ASSOCIATION

[MrWaxer]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

I live in upstate NY..I use Hoffmans Car Wash..

[buda]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

Know Tom Hoffman very well and I am sure his washes are run very professionally, he is considered one of the best operators in the country.

If you are not satisfied with the quality or service you can call or write him and he will do something about it. He pays attention to his washes.

Could not be in better hands.

Bud Abraham

[griff8]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

Dang. There are a lot of replies to this. I have read every single one and still am not convinced, but I do keep an open mind to the automatic washes nonetheless. I work at a funeral home and we have 2 black hearses, 1 black limousine, and 1 cargo van. I hand wash every car a day or so before we use them on funerals. While I have used the automatic washes when time was an issue, I still wash by hand indoors as we have a wash bay and I love doing it myself. While it would be less money to go to the Supersonic Car Wash (local chain) for $7.00 plus tip to the towel driers (per car), I just can't do it.

[MrWaxer]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

Know Tom Hoffman very well and I am sure his washes are run very professionally, he is considered one of the best operators in the country.

If you are not satisfied with the quality or service you can call or write him and he will do something about it. He pays attention to his washes.

Could not be in better hands.

Bud Abraham

Hey Bud...Where do you live?? I take it if you know Tom you live in upstate NY??

[Garage Troll]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

What about doing what others on the site have suggested by spraying down the car at a coin op with just water and washing it with ONR. To me a bottle of ONR and spending a couple bucks at the coin op is cheaper than constantly paying for a touchless wash.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

If automatic car washes are bad why do all the major manufacturers have automatic washers in their assembly-plants; their pre-delivery centers; in their dealerships and they even provide low-interest financing for dealers to purchase automatic carwashes.

Certainly time and convenience come into play here, as these facilities are washing a very large number of vehicles. But especially at the factory level, one would hope that maintenance and cleanliness of the equipment are beyond reproach. But that circles right back to the whole concept of doing things properly, no matter the process.

A year or so ago the British car show Fifth Gear did a piece comparing different car washing and drying methods, and their conclusion was that automatic car washes were the safest method. But watching the hand wash process shown on the episode would make most MOL members either laugh or cringe. Or both. A proper two bucket wash with a quality wash mitt and drying towels would have certainly changed the outcome of that test. Still, the methods shown in the hand wash segment were probably more indicative of how the average consumer washes at home.

There's an old saying; "If you want something done right, do it yourself". That's only true if you actually know how to do whatever that "something" is. Most of you are probably perfectly capable of inflating your tires to the proper pressure. Many of you probably do an excellent job changing the oil in your cars at home. Some of you may be comfortable changing brake pads and rotors. A few might be capable of properly replacing broken axles, CV joints, etc. A handful may be able to tear down and rebuild an engine.

If you don't know how to do something properly, either learn how, or let someone else do it for you. You'll have to pay them, of course. But given how many people don't even know what a swirl is, let alone how to avoid them or correct them, it's no wonder so many simply don't care to learn the proper way to wash a car.

It should be noted that Meguiar's sells an awful lot of product to an awful lot of commercial car wash facilities. We know full well that there are many such facilities who take a lot of pride in how they conduct business, as they should. We also know that they do an outstanding job all around, and they should be proud of that.

But for the true Car Crazy types, washing a car is a labor of love. They consider it therapy, even if finding the slightest flaw sends them into fits of anguish! Nonetheless, the thought of handing their baby off to someone else is about as appealing as the thought of being poked in the eye with a sharp stick. Heck, if given a choice, most would probably choose the stick!

[Garage Troll]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

It's the stick for me!!!!

[k3ith]

Re: Touchless Car Wash

...even if finding the slightest flaw sends them into fits of anguish!

Actually, if I am honest, finding slight flaws is a bit exciting. It means there is work to do and something I can correct. For me it's all about being able to see immediate results from my skill and labor.

In my day job, I don't get this type of satisfaction so it is my therapy.

I will say though, if you just want an acceptable looking car to "normal" folk, many of the full service washes will satisfy you. You just need to pick a professional place and be prepared to pay $20 + tip.

My advice is to ALWAYS tip at these places and you will get a better job each time you go there. Even when you are standing out waiting on them to dry it, make the tip visible in your hand. So swing through an ATM and get cash beforehand if you plan to pay by CC.

I still maintain that a touchless drive through (aka not full service) is not good enough for anyone who wants even a normally acceptable looking ride. However, I will concede that it could be useful for knocking off salt, which I have never had to deal with.