Washing your car is one of the basic activities that give it an elegant and beautiful look. Best…
Touchless car wash – everything you need to know about it
(photo: Unsplash)
Washing your car regularly has many advantages that we, as drivers, often forget about. It allows you to get rid of lingering dirt and road salt in winter and restore the shine of the paint. What do we do to wash our car? We usually have several options. We can wash the car on the property if we can. It is laborious and time-consuming, but it allows you to wash the car thoroughly. Or we can use the car wash. In this case we also have different options. We can wash the car in an automatic or touchless car wash, where we can direct the water jet ourselves. The most frequently chosen option is touchless car washes. As with many issues, here we will find both advantages and disadvantages.
What is a touchless car wash?
Above all, touchless car wash, as the name suggests, allows you to wash your vehicle without physical contact with the surface being washed. Washing is done by means of a water jet directed at the surface of the vehicle. This has its advantages, which include:
- no contact of hands, cloths or other cloths with the paint surface or cleaning agent,
- pressure washing because it allows you to remove stubborn dirt,
- thorough washing of hard-to-reach areas of the vehicle's body, wheels and chassis,
- using special chemicals that are gentle on the paint.
A touchless car wash is a great invention because it relieves the driver and saves time. This is obviously true, but it is not always the ideal option because it also has disadvantages. Unfortunately, they often reveal themselves long after time, undoubtedly with regular washing using this method. These include primarily:
- enlargement of previously existing paint damage,
- pressure pressing dirt between the seals, which leads to their damage,
- if the lance is used incorrectly, it is possible to damage the paint and even mirrors or windows,
- possibility of paint damage, especially on newly painted elements.
Looking at the advantages and disadvantages, we have it in black and white that a touchless car wash is not always a good choice.
Touchless, manual and automatic car wash – differences
In addition to a manual car wash, you can also opt for a touchless automatic car wash. Unfortunately, it is not available in every city. The principle of its operation is very similar. However, unlike a manual car wash, the lances and pressure are optimally set for washing the vehicle. Touchless car wash has mixed reviews! On the one hand, the risk of mechanical damage to the paint or any other sensitive vehicle elements is lower. However, there may be a problem with its accuracy in hard-to-reach places. Here again, the importance of the human factor is evident. By manually controlling the lance, it becomes possible to reach difficult and permanently dirty places. An automatic device, however advanced, may skip them.
How to optimally use a touchless car wash?
You want to know, How to wash a car at a touchless car wash? A way to achieve precise, non-contact Washing car at the touchless car wash, there is a possibility of manual and thorough pre-washing. The most difficult dirt can be removed manually using cloths, or cloths, additionally wetting the dirt, which will shorten the process of pressure washing the surface. This applies to painted rims, exterior mirrors and plastic headlights, because these are conspicuous external elements and should be taken care of. Direct and long-term pressure washing with water could undoubtedly contribute to the formation of microscopic scratches or even microcracks. This would be the beginning of degradation of the given element and probably its expensive repair or replacement.
Read also: How to wash your car without scratching the paint?
Vehicles that have become covered in mud and sand will likely require an equally precise approach. They will need to be cleaned by hand before they can touchless washing, because it reduces the risk of scratching the paint. Sand and mud contain solid and hard particles that can immediately damage the surface of the body paint, damage the protective layer of the chassis, and also the paint of the rims. It is worth remembering that washing electric cars no different from combustion engines.
Available washing programs and their functions
Touchless car washes They offer a range of washing programs that meet the diverse needs of drivers. Among the most frequently chosen services are:
- pressure washing,
- active foam,
- waxing,
- polishing,
- cleaning hard-to-reach places.
Strong stream of water effectively eliminates dirt, and in addition, many car washes offer active foam, which, in combination with appropriate detergents, significantly increases cleaning effectiveness.
Woskowanie creates a protective barrier on the paint, which increases his immunity against negative atmospheric influences and facilitates subsequent washing. Programs polishing They give the body a beautiful shine, which affects the overall aesthetics of the vehicle.
Touchless car washes often offer solutions focused on thorough cleaning Hard-to-reach areas, such as the undercarriage or rims, can be reached with a variety of nozzles and water jets, which standard washing might not be able to achieve. This method not only increases cleaning efficiency but also minimizes the risk of paint damage.
In addition to the basic programs, many touchless car washes expand their offer with additional services, such as detailing interior cleaningWith such a wide range of options, drivers can perfectly tailor the washing process to their vehicle's individual needs. Choosing the right program is crucial to achieving satisfactory results and car paint protection.
Active foam, micropowders and rules for thorough rinsing
Active foam plays a key role in effective car washing touchless car washThis special chemical significantly improves cleaning results while also protecting the paintwork. Its thick formula perfectly penetrates hard-to-reach areas, effectively eliminating various contaminants. Combining its action with appropriate water pressure produces excellent cleaning results.
Active foam contains micropowders, such as silica, that act as a gentle abrasive. They can effectively remove dirt from the vehicle's surface without scratching. The addition of micropowders significantly increases the efficiency of touchless washing, and also has a positive effect on the protective properties of the paint.
When using a touchless car wash, thorough rinsing is extremely important. The right pressure level and flushing technique are key.to avoid chemical residues that can damage the paintwork. It is recommended to hold the lance approximately 40–50 cm from the bodywork for maximum effectiveness without the risk of damage.
Thorough rinsing after applying active foam and cleaning is essential to achieve optimal results. Thanks to the chemicals used and the appropriate pressure, touchless car washes successfully remove any remaining dirt. This contributes to better paint protection, which in turn increases the durability of the car's exterior surfaces.
Optimal lance distance and the importance of the user manual for paint protection
Optimal distance using the touchless car wash lance from the bodywork should be between 40 to 50cmMaintaining this distance is crucial to protecting the paintwork. If the lance is too close, the intense, pressurized water jet can damage the paintwork, which in turn can lead to microscopic scratches or even more serious defects.
It is also worth remembering:
- to the bore of appropriate detergents,
- active foam,
- manual pre-cleaning of heavily soiled areas such as rims or headlights.
These features not only simplify the cleaning process but also provide additional protection for the paintwork. Before you begin washing, it's a good idea to read the equipment's instruction manual; this will help you get the most out of it and reduce the risk of damage.
By adjusting the appropriate distance of the lance and following the manufacturer's recommendations, we increase the safety of the paint, which translates into its longer durabilityKnowing these rules is extremely important for every driver who wants to keep their vehicle in the best possible condition.
Summary
It should be mentioned that washing with any method, including the touchless method, requires skill. Then you can count on thorough washing and protection of the car against dirt re-adhering. To sum up, among the many advantages of touchless car washes, one can single out one thing - total control. With the lance in your hand, you can freely direct the water jet at a given element and part of the body and chassis. This is so important that, depending on the condition of the paint, it should not be exposed to high-pressure water. This especially applies to body parts that have been painted recently (up to half a year), as they may be damaged.
FAQ
What is a touchless car wash?
Touchless car wash This type of car wash cleans cars using a pressurized water jet, without any physical contact with the surface being washed. It uses special chemicals that are gentle on the paint.
What are the advantages of a touchless car wash?
The main advantages are: no physical contact with the paint, precise removal of contaminants using pressure, the ability to wash hard-to-reach places such as the chassis and rims, and the use of specialized, paint-safe detergents.
Are there any disadvantages to washing in a touchless car wash?
Yes. Disadvantages include the risk of exacerbating existing paint damage, the possibility of injecting dirt into seals, and potential damage to paint, mirrors, or windows if the wand is not used correctly. The risk is greater with regular washing using this method.
What is the difference between a touchless car wash and an automatic car wash?
Touchless car wash requires manual operation of the lance, which allows precise access to hard-to-reach places. automatic car wash The lances and pressure are optimally set by the machine, which reduces the risk of damage but may lead to some heavily soiled areas being missed.
How far away should I hold the lance to avoid damaging the paint?
The optimal distance of the lance from the bodywork is 40-50 cmUsing it too close can cause microscopic scratches or even more serious paint damage. It's worth reading the user manual.
