What do you guys think about those touchless car washes?
#1
Registered!!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 What do you guys think about those touchless car washes?
They seem to work pretty good but you might run into a problem if you have a CAI or SRI. A couple of weeks ago I went to one for the first time and I didn't realize that there is a spray that comes from underneath your car. If you have a CAI or and SRI it could get wet and cause your car to stall or even do some damage to your intake. Luckily my car just stalled. I don't know if this has been posted before but be careful anyways. Anyone else had good or bad experiences with them let me know.
#2
Registered!!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Vernon BC Canada
Age: 42
Posts: 11,505
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 391 I've only been to a touchless once so far... Personally, I don't like it as much as doing it by hand in a DIY carwash.
The undercar spray soaked my engine compartment and since I'd just driven for 1 hour with 3 friends in the car, my engine was totally hot and there was steam pouring out of my engine compartment... other than that no complaints here.
now dont get me wrong, i do like the undercar spray - especially in the winter when they use so much salt and such on the road.
Oh and next time I've gotta remember to turn the recycled air on in the car - lol oops!
Anywho yeah - I plan on doing the DIY carwashes more often, and when it gets nice n' sunny and summerish I'll do it in me driveway [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] I got a bunch of car cleaning products for xmas should make things nice n easy later on [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
The undercar spray soaked my engine compartment and since I'd just driven for 1 hour with 3 friends in the car, my engine was totally hot and there was steam pouring out of my engine compartment... other than that no complaints here.
now dont get me wrong, i do like the undercar spray - especially in the winter when they use so much salt and such on the road.
Oh and next time I've gotta remember to turn the recycled air on in the car - lol oops!
Anywho yeah - I plan on doing the DIY carwashes more often, and when it gets nice n' sunny and summerish I'll do it in me driveway [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG] I got a bunch of car cleaning products for xmas should make things nice n easy later on [IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/IMG]
#3
Registered!!
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Leawood, Missouri, US
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 I'm pretty much with, Brill.
I like the touch less wash for the under spray, like when I had to go on a little gravel, mud, snow/salt. But other wise I like to hand wash my car, gets it cleaner. Ppl think I'm nuts when I'm outside hand washing and drying my car in 35-45 degree weather. Sometimes I'll take it to the carwash and spray it off with the high pressure if there's anything that needs to be sprayed off but there’s so much water deposits in town that it actually turns Mr. Absorber* black. Kinda nice to know that what they're drinking there (live out in the country). hehe
I like the touch less wash for the under spray, like when I had to go on a little gravel, mud, snow/salt. But other wise I like to hand wash my car, gets it cleaner. Ppl think I'm nuts when I'm outside hand washing and drying my car in 35-45 degree weather. Sometimes I'll take it to the carwash and spray it off with the high pressure if there's anything that needs to be sprayed off but there’s so much water deposits in town that it actually turns Mr. Absorber* black. Kinda nice to know that what they're drinking there (live out in the country). hehe
#4
Registered!!
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: San Diego, California, US
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 Touchless car wash is pretty much the only choice I got in the winter. I would much rather do it myself, but that's just not possible when it's below freezing. And DIY car wash stalls are a pain in the butt with all the money you gotta keep feeding it...
#5
Registered!!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Vernon BC Canada
Age: 42
Posts: 11,505
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 391 I hear ya on the feeding money bit... the one i go to here in town accepts $2 coins so they last pretty long.
a thorough wash:
$1.00 - presoak
$2.00 - soap and wash out foam brush
$2.00 - foam brush
$1.00 - rinse
a quick wash:
$2.00 - presoak & soap, wash out foam brush, foam brush
$2.00 - foam brush, rinse
But yeah, I do much prefer doing it myself... and I will do it more often in my driveway when spring/summer hits.
a thorough wash:
$1.00 - presoak
$2.00 - soap and wash out foam brush
$2.00 - foam brush
$1.00 - rinse
a quick wash:
$2.00 - presoak & soap, wash out foam brush, foam brush
$2.00 - foam brush, rinse
But yeah, I do much prefer doing it myself... and I will do it more often in my driveway when spring/summer hits.
#6
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Long Island, New York, US
Age: 52
Posts: 9,308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 372 I dont use any type of automated car wash. If I cant wash the car at my house I will bring my car to a car detailer and have him clean it by hand. I have a place by my house that charges $15 for a wash, including the rims and tires, and tire shine, vaccuming and doing the windows in and out.
#7
End Bringer
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Fort Fatima, Florida, US
Age: 40
Posts: 6,254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 that's cheap, any sort of detailing around here starts at 50 dollars and up[IMG]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/IMG]
I used to use automatic, then my friend told em they were useless, which it is kinda, it couldn't even remove the glass chalk I had on my car. is that why i stalled yesterday? not enough air, my sri is pretty dirty...
I used to use automatic, then my friend told em they were useless, which it is kinda, it couldn't even remove the glass chalk I had on my car. is that why i stalled yesterday? not enough air, my sri is pretty dirty...
#8
Premium Member
Hey! Look At Me!! I'm a Supporting Member!!
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Long Island, New York, US
Age: 52
Posts: 9,308
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 372 Just a wash shouldnt cost you $50. Most detailing shops offer specials for washees. You just have to find a relaible shop that does good work and give them a call. Im sure they offer washe specials.
#10
Registered!!
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Worc, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 I use a touchless car wash all winter and like it. The only problem is that the undercarriage wash has a tendency to blow the salt up into the engine compartment since there is so much space between the frame and the engine. Its not a big deal. Usually I go to the DIY wash bay and spray down the engine compartment to get rid of the salt that sticks under the hood and the engine.
#11
Registered!!
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Groton, Connecticut, US
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 hey fogbow, u r not alone. im also a car wash freak... my friends also think im crazy cleaning my cars on a cold cold day... but hey, i like driving clean and shiny cars... i couldn't stand driving a car filled with dirt all over... makes me want to puke... hahahahaha...
#12
Registered!!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Vernon BC Canada
Age: 42
Posts: 11,505
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 391 i dont mind driving around in a dirty car when everyone else's car is just as dirty. my big beef is getting in and out of the dirty car it never fails that i hit my legs on the car on the way in or out though heheh
#13
Registered!!
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Victoria. BC
Age: 40
Posts: 3,155
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 I hear ya brill, can't touch the car in the winter. haha.
anyhow, touchless washes are alright. i like the DIY wash places myself. There's one here in town that you simply take a ticket at, and pay after which is much simpler. Another option is a Detailer, I excersize those three, but will probably wash it myself in the spring and summer, if i still have this car.
anyhow, touchless washes are alright. i like the DIY wash places myself. There's one here in town that you simply take a ticket at, and pay after which is much simpler. Another option is a Detailer, I excersize those three, but will probably wash it myself in the spring and summer, if i still have this car.
#15
Registered!!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: st catharines, Ontario, Canada
Age: 41
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 i dotn really like touchless car washed....or washes at all.....im all about spending time with my car and cleaning it no matter if its cold or hot out.......but ya if im desperate they are alright....Nuthing like TLC tho
#16
Registered!!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Medford, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 I think that car washes in the wintertime are worth it, mostly for the undercarriage wash. I'm heading to the car wash again today. Luckily I got a bunch of gift certificates for Christmas so I'll be all set for a while. But truly I can't wait until the warmer weather when I can be out there washing my Civic by hand.
#17
Registered!!
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: brampton, Other, ZEBRA
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 my buddy's dad owns a gas station, and he was telling me stuff about the soap they use in touchless carwashes
since there is little friction from your car and the brushes, they have to make the soap extra acidic to clean properly
enough of these carwashes will strip the clear coat right off your car
since there is little friction from your car and the brushes, they have to make the soap extra acidic to clean properly
enough of these carwashes will strip the clear coat right off your car
#18
Registered!!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Medford, Massachusetts, US
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 I would think that if you keep your car waxed then the extra strong soap wouldn't do much damage to the clear coat. Whenever I go to a car wash I always get the wax. Hopefully this will protect my Civic!
#20
Registered!!
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 << i dunno
i dont trust anyone except me handling my car
u never know what people do >>
It's a touchless though, so technically nobody is handling your car.
#21
Registered!!
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, Texas, US
Age: 44
Posts: 316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rep Power: 0 << I would think that if you keep your car waxed then the extra strong soap wouldn't do much damage to the clear coat. Whenever I go to a car wash I always get the wax. Hopefully this will protect my Civic! >>
that brings up another question i had... what about that wax , clear coat protectant , or spot free rinse and everything like that they offer at the DIY or auto car washes... is that stuff good for the car? I jsut don't know if it might be some ghetto brand of chemical and do worse for my car than good.
I like to wash the car myself but it isn't very often that i have time. I do run by the DIY place from time to time and I haven't been brave enough to do the auto one cause I don't know what quality of stuff they use.
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post