Touchless vs. Coin-Op Car Wash

[shankqiu]

I was told that touchless/automatic car wash can get rid of the salt sticked to the under-body, so one should take their car to automatic wash once every two weeks...

I was also told when getting the rustproofing done, one should avoid automatic car wash to keep the yellowish rustproofing material longer, and the material should protect your car from salt. So, I was suggested to go to coin-op car wash every 2 weeks...

Which should I follow?:(

[Default User]

neither will get the salt out from under your car
The "Under car wash" is really an upward spray from the side of the car - BARELY catching the undercarriage

Also during winter - the coin op will nt clean your car unless you you use the foam brush. And if youre using the foam brush - then its no longer "touchless"

[zmz3]

Not sure if this is good for the externals or not, but you could always take it to a coin-op, and power-hose under the car till it runs out (should be enough that you don't need to add more coin)

Then after, take it through a basic touchless car-wash.

Should bring you close to 8-9$ every 2 weeks. Not bad.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Not sure if this is good for the externals or not, but you could always take it to a coin-op, and power-hose under the car till it runs out (should be enough that you don't need to add more coin)

Then after, take it through a basic touchless car-wash.

Should bring you close to 8-9$ every 2 weeks. Not bad.

This is what I do in winter. $2-4.00 at the coin-op and then take it to the touchless. Although I do the premium touchless wash afterwards.

[BMWWW]

neither will get the salt out from under your car
The "Under car wash" is really an upward spray from the side of the car - BARELY catching the undercarriage

Also during winter - the coin op will nt clean your car unless you you use the foam brush. And if youre using the foam brush - then its no longer "touchless"

1. Throw on a durable sealant before winter. My cars come out from the $2 coin-op cycle nearly squeeky clean. (Power soap, then power rinse)
2. The active-metal eating properties of salt isn't active until you're consistently above freezing.

;)

[mazdathree3]

^ I think it's worse now since they use salt AND that liquid de-icing liquid now. That stuff can't be good for our cars.

[GWN]

Personally I love the Petro Canada Season's Pass. 90 days, 1 wash a day for less than $200. Only downside is that most Petros are soft cloth, apart from the Glide washes (not sure if the pass even works for those) and there's ONE touchless SuperWash that I've ever seen, it's in Newmarket.

On the subject, are soft cloth washes really as bad as people make them out to be? I couldn't imagine it being that much worse than having the pressure washers of the touchless goin at our already cheap paint

[S.F.W.]

Personally I love the Petro Canada Season's Pass. 90 days, 1 wash a day for less than $200. Only downside is that most Petros are soft cloth, apart from the Glide washes (not sure if the pass even works for those) and there's ONE touchless SuperWash that I've ever seen, it's in Newmarket.

On the subject, are soft cloth washes really as bad as people make them out to be? I couldn't imagine it being that much worse than having the pressure washers of the touchless goin at our already cheap paint

The wash in Richmond Hill is the best. It is an old Sunnoco station. One of the drive in touchless/rail less washes.

[hyper7boy]

I'm not sure if all petro-canada car washes have these but the one near my house does. THE DAMN RAILS!!!!!! I don't know about you guys but I didn't even consider the fact that my car would hit when I went through the rails. As far as I am aware, the only thing that hit were some plastic components but still, i wasn't too happy... That will be my last time at a car wash with rails. I am very careful now!

All I do in the winter is get the cheapest wash package at esso just to keep the car clear of salt and grime during the winter. Once spring rolls around I'll be hand washing my car every couple weeks. Definitely a more thorough job!! As far as cleaning the bottom side, I'll just take it to a coin op and do my best. I'm sure a couple cycles should be enough to clean the belly :)

[Jackal]

The wash in Richmond Hill is the best. It is an old Sunnoco station. One of the drive in touchless/rail less washes.

Yup. That's why there's a 7+ car lineup everytime I go there. But does a great job. But I still do a sealant spray every three weeks or so to protect the paint. Just did it tonight and looks great. Too bad it will get all dirty tomorrow.

[Caligari]

I always use a coin-op or get Kevin to do it. Put on a few coats of Opti-seal and all set for the winter.

[tracking]

Touchless. Esso's off points is cheap - 500 points for a wash - about 10 fill ups. RBC points can go to Esso also, and go way further than anytthing else RBC has.