MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Thoughts on Touch-Less Car Washes?

MPIIIMan · #1 10-19-2007, 08:17 PM

So the cold weather is slowly starting to set in.
I'm still washing the car by hand, but once it gets to be below 30, I just don't think I'm going to be able to handle it. I know I'm a wuss.

Once the cold hits I was planning on going to the touch-less car wash. I would still like to try to wash it by hand once a month though.

What are your thoughts on using the touch-less car washes?

kenchan · #2 10-19-2007, 08:44 PM

it's better than un-manned soft cloth, that's for sure.

but the chemicals they use are pretty strong. i would definitely Hydro
after each wash.

go ahead and Hydro the arches too.

heyduard · #3 10-20-2007, 10:59 PM

I've used one with no problems. I do however have a synthetic polish, the Klasse twins, on my Mini. After bi-weekly visits during the winter in 05, my Mini still beaded water that April.

kenchan · #4 10-21-2007, 07:30 AM

there are many people that noticed that the rear strut bottom scraped along the rail guides, so make sure you run taller tires in the winter.

for example, 195/60/16 or 215/45/17 or 205/50/17, etc. this will help
clear it.

jeffc · #5 10-21-2007, 07:47 AM

I never thought of that. Last winter my Mini wasn't lowered and now have to wonder if I will be able to make it through without doing damage.

kenchan · #6 10-21-2007, 07:50 AM

as far as the strut bottom issue it's not the ride height... rather the
diameter of the wheel/tire. a stock car scraped.

actually mine did too the one time i had to pull my car in back 4yrs ago.
it slightly tore the rubber cover at the bottom of the strut leaving bare
metal scraped. never again.

i touched mine up no issue.

jeffc · #7 10-21-2007, 08:05 AM

Thanks for the information

Mark C. · #8 10-21-2007, 10:09 PM

You can always use the touchless wash that has no rails - the kind where you just drive in, park, and watch the sprayer rotate around the car.

kenchan · #9 10-21-2007, 10:35 PM

all the touchless ones ive seen were like that... yet they had rails

bee1000n · #10 10-22-2007, 12:27 PM

There are 2 problems with touchless washes: (1) the ones at gas stations don't get all the dirt off, and (2) the ones with attendants who dry your car use some nasty looking rags to do the job.

If you go to a gas station version every week (i.e. before your car gets very dirty) you'll probably be okay.

vargasgal · #11 10-22-2007, 12:35 PM

We have one in town that is called Laser Wash...it's the only one that will get the backside of my MINI. It has some sort of sensor that determines how long and wide the car is...no idea how it works but pretty cool. It has no floor guides so no worries about tearing up the underside. So far, I have only seen one of them here. It is the only touchless I bother with going to now.

Wonder if you have them where you are located...

rjtrout2000 · #12 10-22-2007, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

all the touchless ones ive seen were like that... yet they had rails

\Out here we have one that has no raisl and does a good job. They actually advertise that they use Meg's products such as soaps and such. And for the crazy weather (like the snow we got saturday) the undercarriage washer is the best. Costs me like $8.00 for a good wash.

paulgraz · #13 10-22-2007, 12:36 PM

We've got a touch-free wash at a gas station near me. No issues, works pretty well, nothing touches the car, no attendants to scratch it afterwards - but they're up to $7 for the basic wash. Damn.

And yes, it has rails, but my car isn't lowered.

Dare I suggest one of those self-service, get out of the car and use the high pressure wand type of place?

IanF · #14 10-22-2007, 12:40 PM

I have one near me as well. Only a year or so old. No rails. Not the best wash i nthe world, but better than letting the salt sit on the car... and only $5 for a basic wash.

kenchan · #15 10-22-2007, 12:45 PM

i suppose they may have 'upgraded' since the last time i
put my car in a carwash (?) 4yrs ago.

irieman · #16 10-22-2007, 01:05 PM

the issue that eventually led me away from the "touchless wash" was not the automated dirty mops flopping over my car or the dirty drying rags or everything else that I now know I should have known was killing my paint job.

for me it came down to the fact that no matter how much i would pay (i.e. extra $ for tire dressings, vacumming, etc), i always end up having to finish the job myself! finally i broke down and bought my own hose, buckets, etc. it only took 9 washes to recoup my loss and now each time i wash my own car by hand, in addition to the pleasure and zen-ness (is that a word), i "save" $10! at least that's what i tell myself.

IanF · #17 10-22-2007, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irieman

for me it came down to the fact that no matter how much i would pay (i.e. extra $ for tire dressings, vacumming, etc), i always end up having to finish the job myself! finally i broke down and bought my own hose, buckets, etc. it only took 9 washes to recoup my loss and now each time i wash my own car by hand, in addition to the pleasure and zen-ness (is that a word), i "save" $10! at least that's what i tell myself.

Well, for those of us living in the Salty North East, the cost is less of an issue than removing salt residue from the car when the temps are barely above freezing... thus making hand-washing somewhat less than practical... wet, frozen hands do not make for a zen experience...

irieman · #18 10-22-2007, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanF

wet, frozen hands do not make for a zen experience...

LMAO!! Seriously though, a good thing for me to remember, if i ever end up relocating eastward.

Flick · #19 10-22-2007, 02:04 PM

I suspect some of these automated car washes just recycle the water they use into the rinse cycle without filtering out (if that is even possible?) the salt residue from the wash cycle. Not sure if asking an attendant would really give a true answer to the question. In colder climes, some of us may just be re-applying the salt we just washed off (?)!

IanF · #20 10-22-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flick

I suspect some of these automated car washes just recycle the water they use into the rinse cycle without filtering out (if that is even possible?) the salt residue from the wash cycle. Not sure if asking an attendant would really give a true answer to the question. In colder climes, some of us may just be re-applying the salt we just washed off (?)!

I'd hazard a guess the water is filtered. Not because they have any great concern for our cars' paint, but more because of what unfiltered water could do to the spraying equipment.