Touchfree wash better than nothing?

[F-150]

I haven't washed my truck in 2 weeks. and it has a lot of bugs in the front of it...I have 2 options, either take it to the 24/7 touchfree ( which I heard shoots recycled water at 2500+ psi, which is contaminated water= possible scratches) or wait till sunday morning to wash my truck cuz I don't have enough time to do it myself.

[Superior Shine]

wait .

[gbackus]

Touch-free systems usually use highly alkaline and acidic chemicals to remove all the grime from the car. And I'm not talking oxalic acid, they use the strong chemicals even as strong as Hydrofluoric acid. It will remove pretty much any wax/sealant on the car and depending on the strength of the chemicals they can cause permanent damage to your paint and/or trim. I suggest you wait until you can give it a proper wash.

[F-150]

The one I go to uses "Turtle wax products" like triple polish, the soap n stuff. I know it doesn't do anything but It gets the bugs and sap off. It's touchfree and has a blow drier at the end. My friend uses it and he says it ***** but it does fine on a slightly dirty car. I was just checking if I should do a quick run to it cuz it's really dirty....lots of dust and bugs and sap

[F-150]

Yeah I think I'm gonna wait after you just mentioned permanent damage possibility. I just got my grit guard inserts and quik clay detailing systems which I plan to use Sunday. Along with scratch X, the pure polish, gc wax and quik detailer.

[Accumulator]

Some touchless washes are OK, but it's a gamble.

When traveling down south, my wife runs her car thrugh a touchless in Memphis, been doing it for years and years. Never had a problem from it, doesn't even strip the LSP (but then it usually has a nice fresh application of said LSP right before she leaves). All depends on the wash in question (and how they mixed the chemicals that weeks too ).

But since F-150's concerned with bugs, sap, etc. that it probably won't remove anyhow, I don't see this as an answer to his problem.

[F-150]

Oh, well for me it's a matter or time and lazyness...Always before I wash my truck, which is only in the mornings, I inspect it the night before....and use bug and tar remover,QD and a hose to get rid of bugs on the front. so it's easier to wash the next day. But I haven't washed my truck in 2 weeks now. So I was just questioning whether or not it'd be better than nothing to use the touchfree.....My problem's solved tho, I'm just going to "prep" it saturday night and wash it sunday morning.

[Jbirk]

I wash once every three weeks.

Here is how it works.

Wash and Quik Wax

Use QD on Bird Droppings and Glass Wipes on them.

If it rains wipe off the sides where the dirty water was kicked onto the paint while it is still wet and brown. Leave the clear water alone.

wash and quik wax.

[Ranger72]

Originally posted by Jbirk
I wash once every three weeks.

Here is how it works.

Wash and Quik Wax

Use QD on Bird Droppings and Glass Wipes on them.

If it rains wipe off the sides where the dirty water was kicked onto the paint while it is still wet and brown. Leave the clear water alone.

wash and quik wax.

By wipe off the sides, I hope you mean rinse with a hose! That is a lot of kick-up that gets all over the sides, its dirty (with dirt) nasty water that is like liquid sandpaper. when rubbed over the paint!