Not all car washes equal

[turbomangt]

Here is something I wrote for a paper I thought I would share.
Car Washes
The ongoing debate comparing “touch-less” washing and “automatic touch” washes is still split. Even in the car wash industry, both sides argue until they get red faced over this controversy. Here are the issues, so you can decide for yourself.

Automatic Touch Car Washes
Over the years, great progress has been made in the materials used that actually touch your car as well as their design. The pro argument will state their case by asking have you ever been able to wash your hands just by running water over them? A good case indeed. We all know that proper hand cleansing comes from friction and soap. The same should be true when washing your car. The soaps used are usually not as aggressive as the touch-less washes (which rely strictly on chemicals to do the work), so there is no fear of strong acids being sprayed on your finish. Another factor to consider is that not all automatic washes are totally inside a heated environment. In areas where the temperature gets below zero, you drive your car in from the cold. The doors that let you in are subjected to the same temperature, allowing some ice to form on the machinery. Even if the smallest piece of ice gets between the brushes and your finish, it’s leading toward a disaster. We have all heard the horror stories of wheels being scratched, hub caps being lost, antennas breaking off, and so on. When you have all these mechanical components moving around your car, sooner or later something is going to happen.

Touch-less Washes
The best case the pro side of this issue has is that nothing comes in contact with your finish. But how can a touch-less wash clean your car without the friction to break down the dirt? If you remember your PH scale from high school, you will know that water is 7 (neutral) and acids are low ph (1-3) and alkalines are high ph (10-13). Keep in mind that both high and low ph are caustic (extremely harmful). Also, you should note that in order to neutralize any high or low ph, you need to apply the opposite. So if you spray acid on your car, you had better apply an alkaline or else it could damage your finish. This is how chemicals get a car clean in a touch-less wash. First, when you drive in. your car is sprayed with soap and water, then acid, then alkaline, then rinse. I have a problem with who is in charge of filling the chemical tanks. If for some reason the alkaline runs low and only acid is going on your car, I wouldn’t want that car to be mine.

Hand Car Washes
Most people that really take pride in their car go to hand car washes. Here are some of the problems I have found with facilities around my area. If they do not pre soak the car first and just start washing, all they are doing is rubbing the existing dirt into the finish. I have also seen places that use the same drying towels over and over again from one car to the next, transferring dirt particles from car to car. The kind of soap they are using also plays a role; too strong of a detergent will strip the wax or sealant from your finish. So you come out with a clean but unprotected car. The soap applicators that I have seen I would not use to clean my toilet, much less my car.

Fresh or Recycled Water
Now that I have given you all these facts to think about, here is another fact for you to consider. Some car washes use fresh water, others use recycled water. From the save the planet group, recycled water is the way to go. The question you have to ask yourself is, do you want all the dirty water that came from all the cars ahead of you used to wash your car? By law a car wash owner must tell you (if you ask) what process they use. Then you can decide for yourself.

[coolvanillagt]

Good topic. For the first time in almost 40 years of driving(geez!)I am going to a professional car wash, which means I'm not doing it myself. It is a touchless, air dry. Fairly satisfied so far.
But for years I used the 25cent places, and for the past 15 years, the "spot free" rinse(our water in Az. is so hard we use it as flightline!). Through numerous cars, including 2 bright red ones, I have never touched a towel or chamois to the surface. Air dried, no problems with spots if the equipment is working right, and no swirls, scratches... Working in the rental car business I saw many surfaces ruined by rotating nylon brushes, felt straps slapping back and forth.
NOw I have to ask Dannys FAmily CArwash if they use these acids...and I thought I was doing a good thing.

[Red GT]

For me. I wash my car, and only me, at home. That way I know what's being used. The thought of using a car wash makes me shiver. Very good info Gary, as always.

[Scarlet2003]

Interesting debate - when we lived in Massachusetts I drove an old Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 and took it to Ernie's Touchless car wash. That thing would blow off all everything including the wax - but on my winter rat I did not care - just wanted the salt off so I could get in/out w/out getting filthy.

I think you have to ask if the auto-wash is using recycled water, yes?

Now that we live here in the sunny salt-free South, I use warm water and a microfiber towel. Have not had to use suds in 3 1/2 years. I am devoted fan of the Zaino line of car care products after 20 years using Meguiar's. My 2-year old son will grab a microfiber cloth and say, "Jack polish Mommie's car!" That's my boy!

Of course, it is my wife's car and I do all the detailing inside and out and keep her Cruiser as clean as my Ford Expedition. I also vacuum the house and do the dishes.

[crusierdad76]

Well as good of info as all that is, the bottom line is time ,and yes I know some will say is the car worth it that all depends , I drive a ton of miles, and live in Missouri, our winters are not what they used to be but on the days where the snow and ice are here and the salt/cinder our roads , it really would make no scene to do a total detail on you driver , And Yes i knwo some of you all park the PT for the winter and Man I would love to be able to do that but for me mine is my way to work.
I would guess it probably takes at least 3-4 hours to do a car probably more like 6-8 if you get really into it , and then in the morning when you drive to work it will look the same??? so for me on the way home I run it into a hand wash, soap it down, rinse it off, apply what they call a wax , and head home now the salt is removed and hopeful most of the dirt and grime is gone as well, and in the morning it will at least start out clean, good wash or not it has to be better than leaving salt and road filth on the car.

Now in the summer Im one of you all I wash it at home, clean it hand wax it ,take the wheels off and clean them--of course before i ever get to town it is covered with dust but hey it looked good when i started

[Scarlet2003]

Actually the only thing I like about living here is how clean the car stays. I work from home most days so my Expedition sits. When I do go to the office it is a total of 6 miles and it is in a parking garage.

Yep - it was 4-6 hours to clean up the car back home in the Spring. You are right. A lbor of love

Sure wish my Expedition Forum was as good as this forum.

[soonercruiser]

At my age, My babies (the PTs) are all that I get to put my hands lovingly on these days!
(Oh well! My wife thinks I'm her dirty ole' man anyway!)

[Hooligan]

All of the women think so, Frank!!!!

[Teekypt]

Well I use a couple of different facilities to wash my car. Often times, if I want a detailed job, inside and out, quickly, I'll go to Mr. Car Wash. They are excellent and I am satisfied with the result, when I'm in a rush.

Most times, if I just wanna keep the road film off, I will just use a pressure washer at a nearby self-service car wash.

But if I prefer to wash, wax, and vacuum it myself at home, for cheap. I get both exercise and an excellent job on the PT!

[Teekypt]

Originally Posted by Hooligan

All of the women think so, Frank!!!!

LOL!