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Do you trust no touch car washes

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Old Oct 21, 2004 | 03:59 PM
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Default Do you trust no touch car washes

Guys,
Is it safe on a car to run them through a no touch car wash
where there is no brushes and such
Im just concerned about the pressure they use.
Any ideas?
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Old Oct 21, 2004 | 04:49 PM
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I'd be more worried about the chemicals they use. These setups are designed to wash the DIRTIEST of Dirty cars, personally, i'd avoid them at all costs.
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Old Oct 21, 2004 | 06:32 PM
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I'm the only thing I trust to wash my Z.
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Old Oct 21, 2004 | 06:34 PM
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I've run my Z through the local touchless several times...no problems whatsoever. It's not as good as a hand wash, but it's ok in a pinch.
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Old Oct 22, 2004 | 09:05 PM
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There are "touchless" car washes and then there are "touchless" car washes. I managed seven in NM and CO. Try to find out what soaps they are using. I used only "Blur Coral" products. One soap should be high Ph, while the other low. Also, are you driving onto a "treddle" plate or is it activicated by "lazer". The plate can really do damage to those rims. Plus if "undercarriage" is part of the wash, watch that high pressure. There should be NO problem with the conditioners and wax!
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Old Oct 30, 2004 | 08:12 AM
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I've been told my a very experience body shop person, that if you car is really dirty, you should NEVER wash it at home by yourself with a hose, and soap, rag..etc. The dirt will scratch the paint...even if you use lots of soap. He recommends running the car through a touchless place first, or even those $2.00 high pressure self-serve wash places. Then take it come and wash it.
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Old Oct 30, 2004 | 08:26 AM
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Originally posted by gq_626
He recommends running the car through a touchless place first, or even those $2.00 high pressure self-serve wash places. Then take it come and wash it.
I would think that any kind of high pressure water hitting a dirty car would risk the "sand blasting effect". I would rather start with a hose and flood the car several times to give it time to loosen and wash away dirt stuck to the surface. Then I would wash it with an extra soapy solution letting it coat the area first before wiping. I use the two bucket method - one with soapy water, one to rinse my mitt. That keeps you from putting the same dirt back on the car that you just removed.

I would also be suspect of the detergents they use in those commercial car washes. I bet they're way too harsh.
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Old Oct 30, 2004 | 09:58 AM
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I think you're all insane

But if we were to get knit picky...I'd say people with SUPERBLACKS should be the ones worried about thier paint...(and brickyard-dark colors.
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Old Oct 30, 2004 | 06:35 PM
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DB shows swirls pretty bad as well as the Redlines. It's really any dark or primary color that seems to be bad.
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Old Oct 30, 2004 | 06:44 PM
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One completely removed the clearcoat finish on my 1986 Renault Alliance (years ago). Bad chemicals.
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