I usual do a conventional wash once a week, but during the week I will use the touchless "Luster" laser wash...which happens to be directly across the street from my house...so it's pretty convenient! My question is about the soap that these car washes use...are they harsh...will they harm my coats of Zaino polish? They also offer a "color clear coat protectant" option...anyone have an idea what that really consists of? When it sprays on the car it is a foamy multi colored soap...if that helps? What about the "Spot free rinse"...what is in that stuff?
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Luster Touchless Laser Wash?
- Thread starter wkasak
- Start date
I usual do a conventional wash once a week, but during the week I will use the touchless "Luster" laser wash...which happens to be directly across the street from my house...so it's pretty convenient! My question is about the soap that these car washes use...are they harsh...will they harm my coats of Zaino polish? They also offer a "color clear coat protectant" option...anyone have an idea what that really consists of? When it sprays on the car it is a foamy multi colored soap...if that helps? What about the "Spot free rinse"...what is in that stuff?
imported_truzoom
New member
Touchless washes usually use stronger soaps and hot water to remove dirt without the abrasiveness of brushes, but they may also throw in some degreasers in the presoak to make it easier to clean. For the price of each wash, you would actually be better off doing a QEW wash, or just spraying down your car with a pressure washer (no soap) and then follow up with a waterless wash wipe down.
The clearcoat protectant is most likely a very light wax that is applied and then rinsed off with the spot free rinse, which is just deionized water so that it is less likely to leave spots.
The clearcoat protectant is most likely a very light wax that is applied and then rinsed off with the spot free rinse, which is just deionized water so that it is less likely to leave spots.
imported_truzoom
New member
Touchless washes usually use stronger soaps and hot water to remove dirt without the abrasiveness of brushes, but they may also throw in some degreasers in the presoak to make it easier to clean. For the price of each wash, you would actually be better off doing a QEW wash, or just spraying down your car with a pressure washer (no soap) and then follow up with a waterless wash wipe down.
The clearcoat protectant is most likely a very light wax that is applied and then rinsed off with the spot free rinse, which is just deionized water so that it is less likely to leave spots.
The clearcoat protectant is most likely a very light wax that is applied and then rinsed off with the spot free rinse, which is just deionized water so that it is less likely to leave spots.
B4 I set-up my garage w/a PW I used a "touchless laser wash" (Classy something or another) during the winter on my new Black A4. I can't comment on what soap's they used and/or how harsh it is.
But it did the job (cleaned the car w/no marring) when I combined it with a presoak from the pressure gun in the drive-in bays.
I did use QEW b4 as well, but never felt comfortable dragging anything across a dirty panel.
Is QEW better/cheaper than using a these types of washes at $6.00 - $8.00 a pop? I would say so.
But you need alot of practice and patience to get a car clean w/QEW and not leave any marring (however slight) and that in the end is what I'm more concerned about.
But it did the job (cleaned the car w/no marring) when I combined it with a presoak from the pressure gun in the drive-in bays.
I did use QEW b4 as well, but never felt comfortable dragging anything across a dirty panel.
Is QEW better/cheaper than using a these types of washes at $6.00 - $8.00 a pop? I would say so.
But you need alot of practice and patience to get a car clean w/QEW and not leave any marring (however slight) and that in the end is what I'm more concerned about.
B4 I set-up my garage w/a PW I used a "touchless laser wash" (Classy something or another) during the winter on my new Black A4. I can't comment on what soap's they used and/or how harsh it is.
But it did the job (cleaned the car w/no marring) when I combined it with a presoak from the pressure gun in the drive-in bays.
I did use QEW b4 as well, but never felt comfortable dragging anything across a dirty panel.
Is QEW better/cheaper than using a these types of washes at $6.00 - $8.00 a pop? I would say so.
But you need alot of practice and patience to get a car clean w/QEW and not leave any marring (however slight) and that in the end is what I'm more concerned about.
But it did the job (cleaned the car w/no marring) when I combined it with a presoak from the pressure gun in the drive-in bays.
I did use QEW b4 as well, but never felt comfortable dragging anything across a dirty panel.
Is QEW better/cheaper than using a these types of washes at $6.00 - $8.00 a pop? I would say so.
But you need alot of practice and patience to get a car clean w/QEW and not leave any marring (however slight) and that in the end is what I'm more concerned about.
I regularly use the touchfree near me. I always choose the "middle" wash option, which has an extra pass or so of rinsing, but no "clear coat protectant" or whatever it is. I basically want it to clean the car off, but not leave anything behind.
When the car is just dusty and well Zainoed, it works great. It does not appear to compromise the Zaino in any way. If the car has been wet by the rain, however, the touchfree does not clean it as perfectly as I'd like -- there's still a small film on there that will build up if I don't hand wash a bit more frequently.
It doesn't do a very good job on the rims. I've taken to spritzing them with a Z7/water solution before running through the touchfree, and then I still have to get in there by hand when I get home to get them clean. Zaino on the rims makes that fairly easy.
When the car is just dusty and well Zainoed, it works great. It does not appear to compromise the Zaino in any way. If the car has been wet by the rain, however, the touchfree does not clean it as perfectly as I'd like -- there's still a small film on there that will build up if I don't hand wash a bit more frequently.
It doesn't do a very good job on the rims. I've taken to spritzing them with a Z7/water solution before running through the touchfree, and then I still have to get in there by hand when I get home to get them clean. Zaino on the rims makes that fairly easy.
I regularly use the touchfree near me. I always choose the "middle" wash option, which has an extra pass or so of rinsing, but no "clear coat protectant" or whatever it is. I basically want it to clean the car off, but not leave anything behind.
When the car is just dusty and well Zainoed, it works great. It does not appear to compromise the Zaino in any way. If the car has been wet by the rain, however, the touchfree does not clean it as perfectly as I'd like -- there's still a small film on there that will build up if I don't hand wash a bit more frequently.
It doesn't do a very good job on the rims. I've taken to spritzing them with a Z7/water solution before running through the touchfree, and then I still have to get in there by hand when I get home to get them clean. Zaino on the rims makes that fairly easy.
When the car is just dusty and well Zainoed, it works great. It does not appear to compromise the Zaino in any way. If the car has been wet by the rain, however, the touchfree does not clean it as perfectly as I'd like -- there's still a small film on there that will build up if I don't hand wash a bit more frequently.
It doesn't do a very good job on the rims. I've taken to spritzing them with a Z7/water solution before running through the touchfree, and then I still have to get in there by hand when I get home to get them clean. Zaino on the rims makes that fairly easy.
When I have too I use the self serve wash bay to use the pre-soak on exterior, spray on bug and tar remover on front end, wet wheels down, spray with cleaner jump back into car and drive through the touchless wash for a decent job of getting the car clean. I have not had any adverse effects of the soap deteriorating my LSP carnauba or sealants.
When I have too I use the self serve wash bay to use the pre-soak on exterior, spray on bug and tar remover on front end, wet wheels down, spray with cleaner jump back into car and drive through the touchless wash for a decent job of getting the car clean. I have not had any adverse effects of the soap deteriorating my LSP carnauba or sealants.