Drive Through Car Wash vs. Touchless vs. Hand Wash vs. Detailed Hand Wash

Introduction

In the world of car washing there are multiple levels of detail and service. There’s drive through car washes, 1 step + brush method, 2 step touchless method, quick hand washes, and detailed hand washes. These are categorized in order of least expensive to most expensive.

Drive-through car washes:

These are automated car washes where you drive your car onto a track and the car is pulled through a series of washing stations by a conveyor. Brushes or soft cloths may be used to scrub the car, and water and soap are typically sprayed onto the car to clean it. Some drive-through car washes may also offer additional services, such as waxing.

Touchless car washes:

These are automated or manual (by person) car washes where the car is washed using high-pressure water and detergents. Touchless car washes use a combo of acidic low ph detergents and high ph detergents to neutralize ions on the vehicle so dirt can be pressure washed off.

Product recommendations:

Chemical Guys Wash Mitt: https://amzn.to/3M7z6Fl

Soft bristled brush: https://amzn.to/3lEmj22

2 Step Touchless Wash

This type of wash involves using a low pH soap and then a high pH soap to make the dirt release from the vehicle. This method works great with warm water (140 degrees)

Instead, the water and detergents are sprayed onto the car with high-powered nozzles, and the dirt is blasted off the car using water pressure. Touchless car washes can be a good option for people who are concerned about the possibility of scratches or damage to their car's finish.

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The Main Difference between 1 Step + Brush and 2 Step Touchless Wash

The main difference between the two types of car washes is that the 1 step + brush wash uses brushes to scrub the car's surface, while the 2 step touchless wash does not. The touchless wash may be a better option for those who are concerned about the possibility of brushes causing scratches or damage to the car's paint. However, the 1 step + brush wash may be more effective in removing heavy dirt or grime from the car's surface.

Quick Hand washes:

Hand washes involve a team of people washing your car by hand, using buckets of soapy water, sponges, and towels. Hand washes are typically more thorough than automated car washes but less thorough than a detailed wash. The washers can pay closer attention to detail and reach areas that automated brushes or nozzles might miss. However, they can also be more time-consuming and expensive than automated car washes.

Detailed hand washes:

Detailed hand washes are similar to regular hand washes, but they involve a more thorough cleaning of the car's exterior that utilizes wash methods that significantly lowers the risk of scratching the car’s paint. In addition to washing the car's exterior by hand, detailed hand washes may involve cleaning the crevices of emblems and grills, cleaning the wheels and tires, and removing tar and bugs. Detailed hand washes are typically more expensive than regular hand washes, but they can leave your car looking and feeling like new.

Product Recommendations:

Boar’s Hair Brush For Washing Emblems, Grills, and Wheels: https://amzn.to/3TXfBRL

Product Recommendations for Washing Your Car At Home

Car Wash Soap

Meguiar’s Gold Class Car Wash Shampoo https://amzn.to/3M25y9w

Car Wash Soap for Muddy Vehicles

Chemical Guys Tough Mudder: https://amzn.to/3ZeNjD9

Wheel Cleaner

Super Clean Degreaser: https://amzn.to/40tXgxm

Tire Shine

Turtle Wax Graphene Acrylic Tire Dressing https://amzn.to/35x28dS

Window & Glass Cleaner

Spray Way Foam Glass Cleaner: https://amzn.to/3z7zpIu

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