Hey folks!

I know there are several older threads on the do's and don't of car washing, and if I had access to my own hose and water this would be a moot thread (I live in a highrise and our DIY carwash is out for the winter). However, there is a relatively new automated car wash right around the corner from me that I just visited after our roads were doused with salt and chemicals to fight the recent snowstorm (unsuccessfully, might I add). My Maxima was looking battle-worn and I wanted to get all of that crap off underneath my car.

This new wash has several different levels of washes; ranging from the $5 economy wash to the higher end I-Didn't-Think-I-Could-Spend-This-Much-At-A-Drive-Thru wash. I went down the middle road and spent $15 (didn't opt for the 2 for $25 dealio), and as the swing arm lifted up to signal my car through I realized that the car wash wasn't brushless. Crap!! So, at this point I've got cars behind me, I'm $15 in the hole, and there's no turning back...so I put it in neutral, folded my mirrors, and tried to enjoy the ride.

I went through...and the car came out looking great and tire shine that was applied by these rollers was far better than anything done at Corner Hand wash (for nearly twice the pay). Now to my question, even though this car wash wasn't brushless, it wasn't the type that has the large spinning wheel of death rotating at 5,000rpm that will kill a finish before you can say "I want my 6 quarters back", but rather, it was the type that uses large pieces of cloth that sway back and forth and in different directions that was used in addition to a variety of different soaps and formulas that looked really trippy and smelled good. Has anyone entrusted these "large slowly moving cloth" ACW (automatic car wash) facilities for cleaning their car on a regular basis? The whole process took me less than 10 minutes, and my car looked great...I just worry about any long term effects to the finish.

Since this a new wash, wouldn't they investigate the most recent ACW technology and go that route? If the large pieces of cloth were adversely affecting the finish of new and old cars, wouldn't that be a terrible business model to implement?

Thoughts? Again, hand washing isn't a viable option..

 

I suppose since this is your only option then I'd say stick with this place. If your car looked good and you didn't notice any scratches or marks on your vehicle then you're fine. However, our cars have extremely delicate clear coats finishes and it doesn't take much to scratch them. Also, food for thought, it's not just the spinning brushes and moving parts that can be damaging at an ACW. I'd also be concerned with the chemicals and soaps used as some are pretty tough on clear coats and can strip away your finish over a long period of time. Years ago I worked at a dealership in the evening cleaning new cars while in college. We used a giant barrel with a pink industrial strength cleaner to clean the cars. The stuff was amazing and got the job done but after reading the label on the barrel one night I discovered it was designed to strip wax from floors. Best of luck to you!!

 

I hate having a dirty car and right now the only way to remove the road chemicals is to use the under carriage wash at the car wash. Leaving the dirt on the car IMO does way more damage than using an automated car wash.

I just moved to CA and I can't believe how many people here park their expensive Bimmers and Audi's outside in this hot, sandy weather. Even though they have a perfectly good garage to park in.

My car is a 2010 and my paint is not pristine anymore but I still park it inside to preserve my finish as best I can. Use the car wash, having your car start to rust is your other option.

 

+1

 

I took my Max through one of those "soft touch" car washes and it looked good but then upon close inspection it had a lot of scratches in the clear coat which I had to buff out.

People have said the MAx's clear coat is soft.

I have a Kwik Trip near me that has a touch free car wash for $7 ( 10 washes for $70 or $10 each) for a premium wash which includes the undercarriage.

IMO touch free is the way to go if you can find one.

 

I have always washed my daily drivers with drive through car washes. I usually have a membership for unlimited washes so I can keep a clean daily driver.

 

I usually use a touchless car wash, but avoid washing the car unless necessary, knowing the wash/chemicals extract a very slight 'price' in wear on the finish.

Sometimes, if the weather is not bad, I hand-wash and wax the car. And occasionally my son does it for me. He is age 50, is a car fiend, and does an excellent job of cleaning and waxing.

I have found touchless car washes do not get all the dirt off, and, over time, a slight haze begins to build up on the finish. At that time (once or twice a year), I go to a car wash that uses felt strips that actually touch the car and usually get all the haze off.

Being retired, my car spends over 90% of its time in our oversize (28'X28') garage, which gives me room to piddle and work with it. Also, there are no industries within many miles of us, so the finish stays in very good shape.

 

If the wash is new, then those big hanging cloths are new as well. A year from now (and thousands of cars later) I'd be wary of it. At the moment though it sounds like a good option.

And even though washing it yourself isn't feasible, that doesn't mean that giving it a good polish and wax isn't feasible. Find a day that you're feeling motivated, hit the drive though wash, then come home and get to work detailing the finish. It'll help you feel better about the *potential* minor damage that the brushes might cause.

 

Thanks for all the tips and insight...I do appreciate it!

Once Uncle Sam returns some of my loot I might treat the Maxima to a nice wax so I'll have a better indication of how the wash is treating it over time. It is a ridiculously convenient car wash (with free vacuums) so I'm hoping it'll serve me well for the long haul. If the other cars that I saw in there are any indication of how their owners feel about it...I should be OK. That is unless the owner of the Panamera and the BMW were testing it out for the first time as I was.

 

Nothing touches this car but me, other then that it's touch less