Chemical Strength vs. Agitation
Although the touchless car wash method does have its advantages, it is not as effective in cleaning up dirt and debris. Chemical strength does not guarantee the removal of dirt and other contaminants. Agitation is able to do this. Touchless car shampoos have detergents that are designed to lift and encapsulate dirt. However, if dirt is stuck to the car’s surfaces, detergents may not be able to remove it. Even with shampoos for touchless cars that contain harsher chemicals, this is still the case. These types of harsh cleaning products are also used in most automatic touchless car washes.
Touchless at Home Vs. Automatic Car Wash – It’s Not the Same Thing
Although the Touchless quick quack car wash method is effective in cleaning dirt and debris from cars, it cannot compare to a traditional wash. The removal of dirt and other contaminants is guaranteed by agitation. Chemical strength can also be used. Most automatic touchless car washes recycle the water they use to clean cars. The water is collected, filtered and then used to clean the next vehicle. The recycled water could have high levels of chemical buildup, which can cause damage to your car’s paint. It’s safer to wash your car at home with touchless water. You can also control the quality of the equipment and cleaning products. esn’t. Touchless car shampoos do not contain detergents that can encapsulate or lift dirt. However, detergents may only be able to soften dirt that has clung to the car’s surfaces. Even with shampoos for touchless cars that contain harsher chemicals, this is still the case. These types of harsh cleaning products are also used in most automatic touchless car washes.
What you can’t clean without agitation
Because of their adhesion to car paint, certain contaminants are difficult to clean without agitation. Bird poop and insect guts, for example, are acidic so they can eat through your car’s clear coating layer once they dry. Traffic film, brake dust, mineral deposits and tar can get into your car’s paint from being kicked up by other cars or your car’s tires. These contaminants may not be removed by simple car shampoos. These contaminants cannot be removed by agitation.
A Second Option: The Two-Bucket Method
The tried-and-true 2-bucket method is another way to clean your car. Two buckets are used to clean your car. One bucket is the soap bucket, the other the rinse bucket.
The soap buckets should be filled with water. Next, add your car wash soap to the soap bucket. Mix it in the water. Next, dip your high-quality wash mitt in the soap bucket. Scrub the car from one section to the next. Rinse the wash mitt in the rinse bucket and then dip it once more in the soap bucket to continue cleaning your car. After you have scrubbed your entire car with soap, rinse it off with lots of water.
Bottom Line
Although they are very effective, touchless car washes cannot replace physical car washes. These car washes can remove 70-90% of dirt from your car and help keep it looking great even if you aren’t able to do a complete physical wash. After you have done several touchless car washes you should give your car an extensive, hands-on wash to get rid all dirt and contaminants.
