Automatic car washing better than hand washing!?

[Darvetis]

Was reading up on car wash options in Portland area, and came upon this company which claims that "the paintwork on a car washed by automatic carwashing equipment is in much better condition that one washed by hand" AND "professional car washes are virtually harmless to automobile finishes"

Was a bit skeptical of statement, then noticed that the 'International Carwash Association' came up with this. International Carwash Association??

ECO Car Wash Portland Oregon ECO Car Wash Portland Oregon Carwash Portland Oregon Full Service Car Wash Portland Oregon Eco Car Wash System Kaddy Car Wash

Interesting take, but I'll stick with hand washing thank you very much...


The company utilizes "super soft cloth made from recycled plastic bottles" (hit the Supersoft cloth link).

ECO Car Wash Portland Oregon ECO Car Wash Portland Oregon Eco Carwash Portland Oregon Portland Auto Wash Car Wash Eco Eco Friendly Car Wash

Is this a new technology, never heard of this before.

[fahoumh]

You have to wonder how strong the chemicals have to be in an automatic touchless car wash to properly clean your car. The traditional ones with the brushes are nightmare fuel.

[Meticulous-Detail]

Many Automatic car washes use acid to clean the recycled water they use on your car. How much acid is present in the water when it touches your LSP?

What about the dirty towels used to dry the car and using the same towels from the wheels to dry the body? Ever take a look at those towels; they are not quality waffle weave MF drying towels.

[DEXTERITY]

for now (until I move) I'm forced to use an automatic car wash. Granted it is a little bit more upscale. however, I cringe every time they touch my car with the towels. They use the same towels on the tire as the car. Thankfully the car is practically dry by the time it comes out, but yikes... I've never seen scratch marks on the paint, but I did notice the other day my headlights have some marks on them.. August 30th, can't come quick enough.

[dougaross]

Is this a joke? Read how the hand washes were done.
"The Hand Wash

Without having been told the why’s or the wherefore’s, four men were given the chore of washing four of the test cars by hand. Each person was to do as thorough a job as possible. Since there were four people involved, and since each person used their favorite “tools”, together they presented a cross-section of various hand washing techniques commonly used by average car owners.

So the marathon carwash began. The four men showed up in four different sections of town enthusiastically sponging and lathering their test cars as if they were their very own. Bystanders could see one man hard at work in a do-it-yourself self-service type of car wash with high-pressure water facilities; another was busy at home with the garden hose and a water spray-brush. One man scrubbed away utilizing a bucket, a sponge, and a garden hose. One, to the horror of the environmentalists, and in defiance of local regulations, washed his test car at a lakeside."

[AutowerxDetailing]

another was busy at home with the garden hose and a water spray-brush

LMAO. I wonder why they found scratches in those cars after the this "scientific" test.

[AutowerxDetailing]

Here is a quote from the actual study:

"By comparison, the surfaces of the test vehicle washed with automatic car washing equipment appeared different. Compared with the hand washed surfaces, it was remarkably smooth, with many very fine markings virtually parallel and uniform less than .0003mm the result of evenly moving and rotating cloth pads and curtains. The machine washed surfaces were in very good condition after 25 washes."

So, the study is plainly stating that the automatic car wash is creating swirl marks and fine scratches on the paintwork. LOL.

[ShinyRex]

Here is a quote from the actual study:

"By comparison, the surfaces of the test vehicle washed with automatic car washing equipment appeared different. Compared with the hand washed surfaces, it was remarkably smooth, with many very fine markings virtually parallel and uniform less than .0003mm the result of evenly moving and rotating cloth pads and curtains. The machine washed surfaces were in very good condition after 25 washes."

So, the study is plainly stating that the automatic car wash is creating swirl marks and fine scratches on the paintwork. LOL.

I always wondered why rental cars have perfectly uniform scratches on the hood and roof...so their real point is the average Joe just can't make the scratches as expertly as they can

[fahoumh]

Here is a quote from the actual study:

"By comparison, the surfaces of the test vehicle washed with automatic car washing equipment appeared different. Compared with the hand washed surfaces, it was remarkably smooth, with many very fine markings virtually parallel and uniform less than .0003mm the result of evenly moving and rotating cloth pads and curtains. The machine washed surfaces were in very good condition after 25 washes."

So, the study is plainly stating that the automatic car wash is creating swirl marks and fine scratches on the paintwork. LOL.

I always wondered why rental cars have perfectly uniform scratches on the hood and roof...so their real point is the average Joe just can't make the scratches as expertly as they can