The Importance of Maintaining Clean Fleet Vehicles
Automatic car washes are a quick and convenient way for motorists to give their vehicles a quick clean once dirt build-up and grime become too apparent. There are a number of reasons to get your car washed – whether it’s to preserve its value and protect your paint job, or to simply look more presentable before a job interview or a night on the town. One common concern with automatic car washes is the fact that it is possible for them to damage a vehicle. While damage to the vehicle is not present in all automatic car washes, as not all automatic car washes are made equal, it’s still a relevant and reasonable concern put forward by those who are conscious of the finish of their vehicle. In this post from the Washing Equipment of Texas blog, we’ll discuss if automatic car washes are safe for your car.
Can Automatic Car Washes Damage Your Car?
There are multiple kinds of automatic car washes that can be put into two separate categories: standard automatic car washes, and touchless automatic car washes. There is a distinct difference between the two, being that standard automatic car washes use scrubbers and brushes to wash, while a touchless car wash uses only water, soap, and air to clean the vehicle.
Standard Automatic Car Washes
Standard automatic car washes are what you picture when you think of the car wash at your local gas station or service plaza. Large, rotating brushes and scrubbers wipe the car down as it passes through a tunnel that sprays the vehicle with water and detergents. The potential for damage with standard automatic car washes comes from the large brushes and scrubbers that wipe the vehicle down. It’s common for missed specs of dirt or rock to get picked up by the brushes, which are then rubbed all over the finish of the vehicle.
This can result in scratches and “swirls” to the car’s paint job, which lowers its value and in some cases can be rather unsightly. While not all vehicles will be damaged by a standard automatic car wash (some cars have tougher paint jobs than others), it’s said that 90% of issues regarding the finish of a vehicle are a result of improper washing techniques.
Touchless Automatic Car Washes
Touchless automatic car washes were created to avoid many of the issues that come with the large scrubbers and brushes of standard automatic car washes. Using only high-pressure water with soap to clean and air to dry, a touchless automatic car wash does a great job of washing a vehicle without the use of scrubbers and brushes. While it is possible for a touchless car wash to damage a vehicle, it is far less common than your standard automatic car wash. Regarding touchless car washes, potential damage comes from excessive water pressure as well as chemicals found in certain detergents. Before using a touchless car wash, make sure to research what the manufacturer says regarding putting your car through an automatic car wash.
Is It Safe To Use Automatic Car Washes?
Answering the question of “is it safe to use automatic car washes” lies in the specific make and model of your car, as well as your type of car. In most cases, touchless car washes are safe for any car. On the other hand, it’s fairly common for the finishes of cars to be damaged by standard automatic car washes. There are standard automatic car washes that have features built in to make them safer for more cars, like the Washworld Profile Soft-Touch Car Wash, which is specifically designed with “Soft-Touch” brushes and scrubbers that are meant to reduce the potential to damage the finish of a vehicle.
If you can find a touchless automatic car wash in your area, like the line of touchless car wash equipment from Washworld, it’s far less likely that your car will be damaged by the car wash. Touchless car washes are specifically designed to only use water, soap, and air to drastically reduce any potential damages to the vehicle.
Washing Equipment of Texas is A Leading Distributor of Washworld Touchless Car Wash Equipment
At Washing Equipment of Texas, we’re an industry leader in the distribution of Washworld car wash equipment and systems. Whether you’re looking to supply your single location or car wash or multiple car wash locations, we have the systems and equipment you need. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call today.
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