Dariof

Can we run our cars through a touch-less car wash? Will the high pressure damage anything?

I really don't want to wash it myself (at my age) and I am not interested in hanging around for a detailer to show up.

sensei_tts

detailing is a bit of a religion and everyone that comments will be sure their way is the best way, imo. lol. to provide a direct answer, i've had a detailer, after doing full front ppf and ceramic coating, tell me a touchless car wash would be ok to take my daughters car through. i wash all my cars myself, including the tts. i'd still be cautious. some of those touchless washes use harsh detergents to clean since there's no scrubbing. let's see what others say. imo, depending on the detergents used could be possible to strip waxes, coatings, etc. also not sure if those washers use harsh acids on the wheels. esp if you live in an area with harsh weather.

radctt1

Sure you can. Let the comments begin..

911dude41

Touch less is fine. Just use it for getting the dust off. Not a real wash but it's good in a pinch.

Breen

zero chance for me - the high pressure can knock panels off, damage undercarriage as some of them have rails on the ground, and the operator will assume zero responsibility if something goes wrong (i.e. use at your own risk.)

the increased cost for a skilled wash (and they must be insured) is a no brainer.

feron315

I drove my TTS (full ppf + ceramic coat) for drive through car wash all the time and there was not a single issue. I use touch free and no wax option as my PPF guy said the wax isn't good for the ceramic coat? At home, I use a high pressure washer as most detailed would anyways, so not much difference between a machine doing it and you doing it IMO. If your car is ceramic coated and you take it to wash regularly, it gets quite clean and you just have to pad it down dry immediately after.

Muckesäckele

Is there an echo???
This was discussed at length about two weeks ago.
Find that thread.
But to summarize: hand wash only.
Anyone who uses anything else should just run their Porsche off a cliff.
Going to an automatic wash place is even WORSE than not applying PPF!

RD16RR

this is funny:

Is there an echo???
This was discussed at length about two weeks ago.
Find that thread.
But to summarize: hand wash only.
Anyone who uses anything else should just run their Porsche off a cliff.
Going to an automatic wash place is even WORSE than not applying PPF!

911dude41

FWIW touchless wash chemicals are practically colored foam with some bubble gum scent. Far from abrasive. Cleaning power is not that great. Those high pressure nozzles are far from being able to cause damage to anything on your car. I've run several 911's through them during my ownership. Not once did it strip away ceramic coating. If you've got some cheapo coating, even your soft car shampoo and elements will strip it away over the course of a year or two depending how often you drive/wash. If there are rails, you just gotta watch out for those and align your wheels straight through.

If you're doing a coin op wash I'd just avoid the "ENGINE/TIRE DEGREASER" selection and before you spray your car with anything pull the trigger on the wand to purge out anything left behind inside the lines.

If you've got dried rain spots on your glass and body or some dust is it really worth scheduling a wash or busting out all your equipment? Maybe if you're at home and you've got nothing to do. Touchless wash is perfect for those times and they do not scratch or swirl your paint.

If you did repeated touchless washes only, then you'll end up with a grimey film on your car because you're cheating.

Signed,
Your OCD hobby detailer.

GT3 Mike

I would run it through the mechanical, out of spite.

Larson E. Rapp

IMO touchless washes are fine as long as you select the cheapest option (wash/rinse/dry only). Don't let them apply waxes or proprietary goop. Something they use in the 'deluxe wash' at the local touchless place left whitish blotches on the aluminum roof rails on my Macan that were very difficult to remove.

As far as damage goes, if you buy a car for six figures that can't go through a touchless car wash without taking damage, I don't know what to say. I don't hesitate to use touchless facilities, but strictly for washing only.

Taran

Honestly, it's personal preference if you really want to run your car through a gas station car wash go for it; at the end of the day, it's your car that being said hand washing will always produce the best results find a reputable detailer and pay them monthly to pull up a few times and your golden, if you really can't be bothered run it through a touchless.

Risky_Business

I think I’d rather have a dirty car.

If the car wash causes any damage are you going to be upset? If not, then…

Shogunade

No hand wash place nearby? Should be in and out in 20 minutes max.

Shogunade

This is just completely incorrect. The chemicals are insanely acidic and abrasive. What do you think is doing the cleaning in q touchless wash?

Anyway. Go through it if you must. But try to find a place that does hand wash.