The Rise of Touchfree Car Wash Cleaner Cars, Safer Paint. Touchfree car washes are transforming the car care industry by offering a safer and more efficient way to clean vehicles. By eliminating the need for brushes and other abrasive tools, touchfree technology ensures that cars are spotless while protecting their paint from scratches and damage. Discover how this innovation is leading to cleaner cars and preserving their pristine finish.
Understanding Touchfree Car Wash And Their Growing Popularity
With the rise of better chemicals and more information on what causes scratches on our cars touchless car washing has grown in popularity.It differs from a tradition car wash (be it hand wash or machine wash)that nothing touches the paint.
What makes a Touchfree Car Wash?
A touchless car wash is a cleaning method that utilizes high-pressure water jets and specialized cleaning agents to remove dirt, grime and contaminants from a vehicle’s surface without the need for physical scrubbing or brushes.
Instead of relying on abrasive materials, touchless car washes rely on the force of chemicals and pressurized water to dislodge and rinse away dirt, ensuring a gentle yet effective cleaning process.
This method can help prevent potential damage to the vehicle’s paintwork caused by brushes or other abrasive materials used in traditional car washes.
Are Touchless Car Washes Safe?
Yes, touchless car washes are generally safe for your car’s paint. They reduce the risk of scratches since there is no physical contact. High-pressure water and specialized detergents effectively remove dirt, but they may struggle with heavy grime or hard-to-reach areas. For a quick and convenient clean, touchless is a good option, but for thorough cleaning, especially with stuck-on debris, traditional methods might be better.
Why You Should Avoid TouchFree Car Wash?
Touchless car washes have become popular for their quick and efficient service, using advanced technology instead of cloth strips. However, they may miss some spots and can be less gentle on the car compared to hand washing. Car owners should balance the convenience of touchless washes with their limitations for thorough and gentle cleaning.
The Aggressive Chemicals in Touch Free Car Wash Systems
Touchless car washes use strong chemicals like hydrofluoric acid and sodium hydroxide, which effectively clean dirt but can harm the environment and damage car wax and paint. Improper handling can lead to pollution. Gentler methods, like hand washing with softer cleaners are safer for both your car and the environment.
Insufficient Cleaning Capabilities
A touch-free car wash uses strong soaps and high-pressure water to clean without physical contact. While effective for surface dirt, it may miss hard-to-reach areas and tough grime. Hand washes with brushes and cloths provide a deeper clean, especially in crevices. For detailed care, use products like Ceramic Purp High Foaming Car Wash Shampoo, which cleans effectively while being gentle on the car’s surface.
Risk of Paint Damage
Touchless car washes use high-pressure water and strong chemicals, which can be harsh on car paint over time. Consumer Reports notes these washes can cause swirls and scratches. The lack of soft cloths means cleaning relies entirely on chemicals and water pressure, potentially worsening paint quality. Frequent use can lead to more frequent paint jobs and upkeep. Hand washing with soft cloths is a safer, gentler alternative.
Water Spotting Issues
Touch-free car washes use strong water jets but often leave water spots due to minerals like calcium and magnesium. These spots can damage the car’s surface over time. Unlike hand washing, touch-free washes don’t remove excess water, leading to these spots. Using a product like Florida Shine Sprayable Polymer Sealant after washing can prevent this. For best results, dry the car by hand or with machines, and use filtered or softened water for the final rinse. Regular use of a sealant will help maintain the car’s appearance.
Incomplete Drying Problems
Touch-free car washes are convenient but often fail to dry cars completely, especially in hard-to-reach areas. This can lead to streaks, watermarks, mold, and mildew. Extra drying with microfiber towels is recommended to avoid these issues. While fast and easy, touchless washes are less thorough than methods involving direct contact, which provide better cleaning and drying.
Lack of Personalized Attention
Touchless car washes provide a quick, basic clean using high-pressure water but often miss areas like wheels and rocker panels. Hand washing and soft touch washes offer more detailed, customized cleaning, reaching spots touchless methods overlook. While touchless washes are efficient, they might not meet the specific needs of all vehicles, unlike hand washing which ensures thorough care.
Balancing Convenience and Quality
Touchless car washes are fast but can be harsh on your car‘s surface, potentially causing damage and leaving water spots. They don’t clean as thoroughly as hand washes and may affect your paint, leading to more maintenance costs. Consider the pros and cons to choose the best method for maintaining your car’s appearance without causing harm.
Touch-Free Pros
In most soft-touch automatic car washes, a driver approaches the wash tunnel, selects from an array of wash service options and a la carte extras (such as Waxing Your Car Tips and Tricks For a Lasting Gloss), and pays an attendant before the vehicle is automatically escorted through the tunnel on a conveyor. There, the swirling brushes, dangling curtains, and rotating water jets do their thing as your car passes by. In some soft-touch washes, though, your car remains stationary while an array of automatic apparati move around your vehicle.
- our vehicle is not physically touched at all in the process, save for the cleaning agents and the water, thereby reducing the risk of damage.
- Computer controlled laser sensors detect the location and shape of your vehicle in order to maximize coverage of the water jets for more effective cleaning.
- Because lasers sense the specific shape of your vehicle, water volume can be targeted and reduced, resulting in minimal waste and less negative environmental impact.
- Touch-free car washes may be able to wash some vehicles that are not compatible in a traditional wash tunnel trucks with dual wheels, oversized tires, etc.
Touch-Free Cons
While the idea of a touch-free wash seems sound (and indeed, it certainly does eliminate direct physical contact with your vehicle), the method does have its downside:
- Without any physical scrubbing action, it is extremely difficult to emulsify and remove dirt, grease and a host of other contaminants
- Organic and inorganic compounds on your car might not be thoroughly removed, especially if they are considerable. Touch-free washes have a reputation for failing to get a vehicle very clean
- Hard-to-reach areas cracks and crevices may not be treated adequately
- The computer system that controls the operation of a touch-free car wash must be maintained in order to keep the equipment functioning accurately and satisfactorily
- The chemical cleaning products must also be carefully monitored and adjusted for changes in the weather and other environmental variables
- The use of harsh chemicals in place of physical contact can damage some paint finishes and will strip away many protective coatings like wax and paint sealant, minimizing the effects these protective products should otherwise offer
Wrapping Up:
Touchfree car washes have gained popularity for their quick and efficient cleaning. While they offer convenience and reduce the risk of scratches, they may not clean as thoroughly as traditional methods and can potentially harm your car’s paint over time. Balancing the benefits and drawbacks is essential for maintaining a clean and well-protected vehicle.
Leave a Reply