Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

What's the point anyway? Waxes eventually disappear from the finish of cars due to the sun, wind, rain and pollution. My last wash of late Fall includes waxing and I hope it lasts until the first wash of the Spring.

While it's very true that wax is a sacrificial barrier and it does slowly wear down, you don't want to wax on Sunday and then get the car washed on Thursday after a rain only to have that wax removed by a heavy detergent.

In your part of the country you'll be darn lucky to get 4 months out of any wax that time of year - New England winters are harsh on wax, no two ways about it.

[Shizane2002]

Re: Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

I have used the automatic car washed before and they have always stripped my car of the detailing agents I have used. This has been with various car washes in several states.

I refuse to ever use automatic car washes and I highly discourage anyone from ever using the "wax" and "wash" features at manual car wash bays. I have been using only water for years on a regular basis and iv e never had a problem since. A good and safe drying technique also helps ensure your paint is not damaged.

[spence82]

Re: Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

I used to work at a touchless wash,and the owner was the biggest clean freak I have ever met,his cars where always spotless outside,inside,trunk,under the hood.All he would buy is black,nothing else,he got a new 04 Mach 1 and spent 2wks detailing before he even drove it.Anyway when the wash first comes on its the soap,usually 2 rounds.It is what is on the do it urself bays the pre-soak,which is by far the strongest soap,compared to the high presure soap.It is a very very strong detergent,and he always told me that it would strip the wax clean off.I would get free car washes there so I used them quit a bit,and they where just the basic ones with the dryer.No polishes or clear-coat protectants.And the water always would bead,so I don't really know what to believe,I'm sure they somewhat stip it off,probably depends on how often you wax it in between those automatic washes.

[Matt Majeika]

Re: Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

The bottom line is this: in the wintertime, you NEED to get the salt off of your paint. If it means stripping the wax off, then fine - you can just reapply. But the salt sitting on that paint will do more harm than good.

Obviously in the summer (or during fair weather) hand washing is the best medicine

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

The bottom line is this: in the wintertime, you NEED to get the salt off of your paint. If it means stripping the wax off, then fine - you can just reapply. But the salt sitting on that paint will do more harm than good.

Obviously in the summer (or during fair weather) hand washing is the best medicine

Very to the point, and very true.

[Mary S]

Re: Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

Honestly, if it didn't cost $5 a pop I would test how many times it takes going through a touchless basic wash before the wax is gone. The car wash association is just going to have to fund their own tests in their defense LOL! But I would predict, it would take more than 1, maybe 2 or 3, of course depending on what you had on there. The really durable waxes like Collinite 845 wax might last a bit longer. But 1 wash was enough to make a change in the texture of the wax.

[Mary S]

Re: Touchless car washes and stripping of wax

One other thing I forgot to mention, I had Gold Class liquid wax on my husband's car and took it through the automatic once, and the wax protection is still holding up great after a couple of months. I may wax it again soon because it has been that long but it doesn't need it as far as protection or water beading is concerned. I have taken care of the finish in the meantime with appropriate washing.