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  1. #1
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    drive through car wash.

    Hi

    I hate doing the old fashioned bucket wash method. So what I do is take it to a drive through touchless car wash. It doesn't use brush, and it uses filtered water before drying with it with air blower.
    I then take it home and go over any missed spots with Griot spray car wash. I then clay the car necessary and finish it with a sealant spray or paste. I repeat this step once every week or two.

    Is this a good method alternative to bucket wash?

    Thanks

  2. #2
    Super Member Calendyr's Avatar
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    Touchless car washes have 2 flaws:

    1. The chemicals are very agressive and I would not submit my car to it on a regular basis.

    2. They don't remove attached dirt. So once you are through there, the car is still dirty, all the car wash has done is removed the loose and semi-attached dirt.

    A better option would be to purchase a pressure washer and use a foam lance. Considering the cost of touchless car washes, you will get your money back pretty fast. The pressure washer will do the same thing: Remove loose and semi-attached dirt.

    From there you have many options:

    1. Do a rinseless wash
    2. Do Waterless wash
    3. Do a regular 2 bucket wash

    I normally recommend applying a sealant twice a year (Spring and Autumn) and waxing the car twice a year (Summer and Winter).

    In between the sealant/wax application using a quick wax everytime you wash the car will boost the protection up. Meguiars X-press Quick Wax is an amazing product to do this but there are others.

  3. #3
    Super Member Breese147's Avatar
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    ^ right on if you've gotten a damp microfiber and wiped against the paint you will see all the dirt the touch less wash leaves behind

  4. #4
    Super Member ViperGuy21's Avatar
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    Quote Originally Posted by Calendyr View Post
    Touchless car washes have 2 flaws:

    1. The chemicals are very agressive and I would not submit my car to it on a regular basis.

    2. They don't remove attached dirt. So once you are through there, the car is still dirty, all the car wash has done is removed the loose and semi-attached dirt.

    A better option would be to purchase a pressure washer and use a foam lance. Considering the cost of touchless car washes, you will get your money back pretty fast. The pressure washer will do the same thing: Remove loose and semi-attached dirt.

    From there you have many options:

    1. Do a rinseless wash
    2. Do Waterless wash
    3. Do a regular 2 bucket wash

    I normally recommend applying a sealant twice a year (Spring and Autumn) and waxing the car twice a year (Summer and Winter).

    In between the sealant/wax application using a quick wax everytime you wash the car will boost the protection up. Meguiars X-press Quick Wax is an amazing product to do this but there are others.
    ^^^This is what I came here to say

  5. #5
    Super Member Don M's Avatar
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    In defense of the touchless wash though, they are a decent option in the winter to remove some of the salt and crud from the undercarriage. Other than that ...

  6. #6
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    Quote Originally Posted by Don M View Post
    In defense of the touchless wash though, they are a decent option in the winter to remove some of the salt and crud from the undercarriage. Other than that ...
    What he said.

    Bill
    In dog beers, I've only had one.

  7. #7
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    Do all touchless car wash use harsh chemical or water? If so thats not good then. I dont know what to do then to keep my car clean. Cant do the old fashioned way here in california because of the draught. The ONR method takes too long and back breaking.

  8. #8
    Super Member Klasse Act's Avatar
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    Quote Originally Posted by Armval View Post
    Do all touchless car wash use harsh chemical or water? If so thats not good then. I dont know what to do then to keep my car clean. Cant do the old fashioned way here in california because of the draught. The ONR method takes too long and back breaking.
    The ONR method is basically the same as the old fashion way as far as effort goes, maybe a little less as your not lifting and putting down a hose all the time so I'm sorry I don't understand this. Maybe a waterless is the way to go for you, I suggest the new Blackfire waterless concentrate!

    Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
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    Some say..."He likes Swedish fish because they're made with caranuba wax"

  9. #9
    Super Member conman1395's Avatar
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    Re: drive through car wash.

    Quote Originally Posted by Armval View Post
    Do all touchless car wash use harsh chemical or water? If so thats not good then. I dont know what to do then to keep my car clean. Cant do the old fashioned way here in california because of the draught. The ONR method takes too long and back breaking.
    As someone who dropped out of college last semester to rehab my back, I find rinseless washes to be MUCH easier on my back than traditional washes.
    Former professional detailer. Current medical student (class of 2023)

    2017 Infiniti Q60 3.0t AWD

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