Soft cloth vs. touch-free automatic car washes in the Phoenix area (safe, moving)

[Pink Jazz]

Based on my personal observations, it seems that soft cloth automatic car washes greatly outnumber their touch-free counterparts here in the Phoenix area.

While there have been studies that show soft cloth washes are more effective at removing dirt, most Americans gravitate towards touch-free car washes due to their perception of touch-free washes being safe on paint. It seems counterintuitive for car washes here in the Phoenix area to go against what most people seem to prefer. That is unless the Phoenix area has a different preference than the rest of the country.

Of course, with the summer dust storms, perhaps the touch-free washes just aren't very effective here.

[urbex]

Touch-free washes aren't very effective anywhere..., but yes, here especially. Then again, the soft-cloth washes don't really ever get my truck completely clean either, but it's good enough that I can usually just go back over it with a bottle of Meguiar's Quik Detailer and a microfiber and get it good enough for a daily driver.

[youthinkso]

Don't be lazy..do it right. Go to a coin wash and use the handsprayer.

[shiphead]

Originally Posted by Pink Jazz

Based on my personal observations, it seems that soft cloth automatic car washes greatly outnumber their touch-free counterparts here in the Phoenix area.

While there have been studies that show soft cloth washes are more effective at removing dirt, most Americans gravitate towards touch-free car washes due to their perception of touch-free washes being safe on paint. It seems counterintuitive for car washes here in the Phoenix area to go against what most people seem to prefer. That is unless the Phoenix area has a different preference than the rest of the country.

Of course, with the summer dust storms, perhaps the touch-free washes just aren't very effective here.

I don't understand the point of touch less besides being cheap. Even in California touch less would still leave a visible layer of dirt. Soft cloth for the win

[urbex]

Originally Posted by youthinkso

Don't be lazy..do it right. Go to a coin wash and use the handsprayer.

Then why aren't you doing it in your driveway by hand like it should really be done?

[urbex]

Originally Posted by shiphead

I don't understand the point of touch less besides being cheap. Even in California touch less would still leave a visible layer of dirt. Soft cloth for the win

Because people are inconsiderate tools these days, they'll go through a soft touch car wash in a car/truck covered in mud, which then sticks to the cloths, ready the scratch the heck out of the poor saps next in line.

Or at least that's the perception. The reality is that the "touch-less" washes can do that as well, just based on the sheer pressure of those water jets, and that the dirt sticking to the soft clothes is a pretty well blown out of proportion thing.

If you want a truly scratch free wash, then your only logical choice is to stop washing your car. Yes, it can be done. The Camaro in my garage hasn't had soapy water touch it a single time since it was painted 8 years ago. Run a duster over it in the garage, occasional shot of quik detailer as needed, and regular waxing. Still looks as good as the day it was painted. Of course, it's also not a daily driver :P

On your daily drivers, the best course of action is still to do it at home, with proper wash cloths (not the 99 cent sponge from walmart), quality soaps meant for cars, and proper drying towels. This is also far more work than most people have time for/are willing to do.

The reality of the situation though is that unless you're ultra anal about maintaining the finish on your vehicle, the mere act of driving a car daily is going to do more damage to the finish than any of the automatic car washes.

[Sunni2012]

If your not very picky about your vehicle. Then a car wash is fine. Personally I'm a fanatic w my cars. Hand wash only in my driveway.