Automatic Carwash
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 855
Likes: 40
From: Liverpool NY
Yes I use a touch free one not far from home after road trips when I get home late at night and no time to do a handwash. Works great and the under carriage pressure wash does a nice job with cleaning the underside of the car.
As for the brush or rag ones NEVER, not even with our daily drivers.
As for the brush or rag ones NEVER, not even with our daily drivers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,460
Likes: 1,046
From: Chester County Pennsylvania
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
No way, I don't use any water on the car, only polish, wax or quick detail.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 544
Likes: 33
From: SW of Chicago Illinois
I don't think the touch-free places are worth it. Never gets the car clean. There are many touch free places by me, the kind that has all the guys waiting for you to come out and completely wipe dry your car and it is nice and clean. Ever see how 'clean' that car comes out if they don't towel dry and you just let it air dry? Lots of dirt being wiped into the clear coat. I won't even go with my DD's anymore, rather put up with the dirt knowing it won't be scratched up next time I do wash it. Obviously wouldn't touch an automatic either.
I usually go to the self-wash bays with my own bucket of soap and water only if I am not getting in the way of anybody. Many self-wash bays are frowning on the bucket/soap thing now, loses money on their scratch everything up soap brushes.
I usually go to the self-wash bays with my own bucket of soap and water only if I am not getting in the way of anybody. Many self-wash bays are frowning on the bucket/soap thing now, loses money on their scratch everything up soap brushes.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,867
Likes: 769
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Nope, not even on my truck. The brushes are bad enough but that air-dry is just flat-out scary......anything that wants to blow my windshield wipers off is not good!!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
I use the laser wash at Valero. I hand clean and immaculately detail the Vette for about 3-4 hours every Saturday (it's how I wind down after a long week.......don't judge me) but in the middle of the week, I always run through the laser wash to keep dirt and bugs at bay. It's unique because it's just pressure washers, no brushes or anything that makes contact with your paint. At the end, there's a high powered blower that dries your car off. It's been working wonders for my car... although everyone who knows me thinks I'm obsessed. 
