Due to the fact it has become -275 degrees outside, I had to break down and bring my car to a touchless car wash to get the salt off.

I get the "Ultimate" package which is the washing

-The car with soap and water
-Undercarrage
-"Hub Scrub" This actually does touch the wheels, but I have found it works quite will without damaging my wheels
-Three foam conditioner
-Clear Coat Protectant

Is there anything I should look out for with these touchless washes?

For those of you were it is pretty much the only option (Last year I tried a car wash bay and my jacket actually became a solid block of ice by the time I was done)

What's your opinion on Touchless washes?

 

does your car drive in on tracks?

 

Caution - dumb attendants have loaded the wrong soap . . . . lost my clearcoat on a car once.

 

its a toss up whats worse the salt or the soap and dirty brushes they have.... your call to make lol.

 

^Well, its touchless so there are no brushes, except for the wheel cleaners.

and the car is stationary, the wash rotates around the car.

 

but do you drive the car in on a flat floor, or is it on a guided track to keep you in the center?

 

I use a touchless wash in the winter. CAUTION: Do not wipe the paint after washing. There is dirt on the surface.

 

These are kick ***, exept the ****ing speed bumps they have inside. I went through them once and i literally left my whole exhaust system in the carwash floor. My car wouldnt even want to come off the speed bump i had to gas it with no one in the car.

BEWARE !!!!

 

^ Wow that sucks. I could definitly see that happening at some of them in my area.

I always go to the same one so it hasn't been an issue.

As for track, There are no tracks you must drive in, but there is a spot your front driver side wheel must go into to ensure your car is "locked" in the right position.

Once the car is locked the wash rotates around it. I always get nervous that the metal wheel holder will screw up my rim, but it seems to be wide enough to handle at lease a 265 tire, and no problems yet.

Basicly I'm wondering if those high pressure streams will take dirt and ingrain it into my paint or if it will be ok.

I have notice that it does a decient job of getting stuff off the hood, roof, and trunk, but it doesnt fully remove grime from the sides espeically the lower part of the door pannels.

 

i would stay away from the waxes and protectants at the touch less places. they leave residue.

 

^ Yea you are right. My dad's BMW has that black plastic around the window frames, and it leaves a really bad rainbow colored residue.

When it dries it looks like someone spilled oil on your car.

Any idea why this happens?

 

if the rim goes into something I would not use it.

the tracks will eat up the inside of the rim barrel if you don't have a lot of sidewall, and I suspect the same could happen if you drive into a depressed area.

this is only for cars that are lowered/rims. better safe than sorry.

 

ive used them in the past with other cars/trucks. They are great for like you said just taking salt etc. off. Dont dry the car with a towel or anything because it will be far from clean when you get out. But it works for what your wanting to use it for.

With aftermarket wheels i wont use it though. I just bundle up put on gloves and spray the car down with soap and rinse it good at the manual spray car wash. Its not like your gonna be outside for 30 minutes it will only take 8 to 10 minutes to get the salt etc. off the car. Thats my .02 anyways.

 

^ Lol yea that would be ideal, but the problem is, once im out there I forget that I just wanted to get the salt off, and before I know it I've broken out my wash mit, realized the wheels could probably use a scrub down.... some tire dressing would look nice..

and before I know it I've been out there for an hour and I can't feel my feet!

 

Definately stay away from them if you have high end wheels, nothing worse than the tracks grinding your lips or the grease and chemicals coming off of them and eating your clearcoat. The sealants, polish, wax they sale are pretty much useless and will just leave a buildup on your paint and parts. No haze, no protection, so a polish or wax being sprayed on and off is pointless. Use a waterless wash system like Optimum No Rinse or
ONE Waterless Car Wash. You can wash in your garage with two water buckets and your choice of sponge or wash mitt. If you are an apartment dweller, well, then you are still stuck freezing your buns off.

 

Dont use those wheel cleaners on Volks or other type wheels, Wheel cleaner=ACID= no clearcoat!

 

Don't they use a brush and soap before it goes in? Generally what I always see around here. I never run it through a car wash unless it's a hand wash place.

 

I cannot and will not use these.....I can't bear to see what my car will look like when its "so-called" done

 

guided + aftermarket wheels = ftmfl

 

guilty - I wanted the salt off, I swung by one last week, ahhh : (