Author Topic: Which machine car wash is recommended? (Read 8200 times)

rami007 · « **on:** August 28, 2008, 01:08:31 pm »

Hi,

I know that hand wash is the best thing when washing a car, but for quick car wash when you lack time which machine car wash do you recommend?

Will machine car wash effect or cause scratches on the car or swirls?

Thx

airbalancer · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2008, 02:09:02 pm »

vdk · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2008, 02:14:03 pm »

Quote from: airbalancer on August 28, 2008, 02:09:02 pm

yes

That being said, I find PetroCanada's Glide CarWash the most effective and a good bang for the back. Followed closely by Sunoco's.

safristi · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2008, 02:15:47 pm »

..if ya get a GOOD BANG fer a buck.....I'm in...i don't care how wet or waxy i gets.....

do they suds yer fiddly bits...!!!!!!!!!

rami007 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2008, 02:20:48 pm »

Hi guys,

Thx for the replies, but I still don't get it. Is it advisable to use the machine car wash? I know ESSO has the one with high water pressure cleaning without any contact...so will cause any scratches ?

During the winter, we might need these types of car washing for quick cleaning especially that some are 24 hours open. Howvere, I don't wanna use them if they cause any scratches...? so your advice is...

Thx

airbalancer · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2008, 02:28:40 pm »

The soap they use is very strong and can cause problems with the finish of the car
So I have read from different detailers BUT WTF do I know

safristi · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2008, 02:45:14 pm »

I Googled ya and NADA......................

.....

vdk · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2008, 03:44:03 pm »

Touchless (Shell/Esso/PetroCan) is BS! Rain is also touchless

ThaLaM · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2009, 11:25:31 am »

Sunoco's EcoBrilliant or EcoBright are great! They are touchless and they clean your car really well. I use it in the winter time and my car shines as if it was brand new!

aquadorhj · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2009, 11:30:49 am »

during summer monthes, i hand wash my car couple of times.

for machine washes,
I find Petro Canada's machine wash with rotating clothes to be most effective, BUT most damaging to the paint as well.
after their wash, my car is sparkling, but my paint also swirly as heck.

if you go to esso or shell's auto pressure wash, the result isn't as clean, but much less damage can be seen on waxed surfaces.. ..probably washes off the wax though.

EV Dan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2009, 12:26:46 pm »

New Shell touchless washes are great, but those with a conveyor chain pull cars through the dryer too fast and they come out wet. On the other hand they use lots of water to pressure wash so they may be the cleanest out there. I also use a Canadian Tire wash in Oakville. good results and IIRC its 6.99 for the basic which is a buck cheaper plus you get the Tire cash back

carsncars · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2009, 05:17:39 pm »

I use Esso's touchless as a wintertime last resort. It doesn't seem to cause much/any damage to the vehicle, but at the same time it doesn't clean very well. However, it's good enough to get that coat of winter grime off.

Er... don't bother with the "wax" packages, though. They're useless, IMO.

KGCCS · « **Reply #12 on:** April 07, 2009, 09:40:00 pm »

I'm a big fan of either Esso, Sunoco, or Ultramar - so long as they are touchless. Anything with a conveyor belt is no-good (you run the risk of scraping up rims, etc), and anything with large swirling and twirling brushes is equally no good as it will swirl your paint.

The best approach is a thorough hand wash, with touchless car washes being the next best thing. Then again, given our wonderful Canadian climate.. we're at the mercy of the weather in alot of cases haha

rrocket · « **Reply #13 on:** April 07, 2009, 09:46:00 pm »

I'm very impressed with the Sunoco system. It washes the car very thoroughly and you control the speed for the initial undercarriage spray and the speed through the dryers..though you do have only 60 seconds to go through the dryers which is plenty, even driven slowly. Plus if you use the Sunoco rewards card when you fill up, every 4 or 5th fill up you'll have enough points for a free wash.

slybry · « **Reply #14 on:** April 08, 2009, 06:42:35 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on April 07, 2009, 09:46:00 pm

I'm very impressed with the Sunoco system. It washes the car very thoroughly and you control the speed for the initial undercarriage spray and the speed through the dryers..though you do have only 60 seconds to go through the dryers which is plenty, even driven slowly. Plus if you use the Sunoco rewards card when you fill up, every 4 or 5th fill up you'll have enough points for a free wash.

You caught my interest when you said a free car wash every 4th or 5th fill up. I went to Sunoco site and the reward points are a max of 3 per litre (87 Octane). The car wash requires 6000 points!!!! That is 2000 liters of gas to get a car wash.

Just how big is your tank???

Are you buying 94 Octane that gets many more points per liter (20)

I would be wasting my money putting that in my car.

tpl · « **Reply #15 on:** April 08, 2009, 06:51:10 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on April 07, 2009, 09:46:00 pm

I'm very impressed with the Sunoco system. It washes the car very thoroughly and you control the speed for the initial undercarriage spray and the speed through the dryers..though you do have only 60 seconds to go through the dryers which is plenty, even driven slowly. Plus if you use the Sunoco rewards card when you fill up, every 4 or 5th fill up you'll have enough points for a free wash.

I use one of those in G and I do not like it. mainly because it is so slow and if one is third in line it has a 15 minute wait.

Brigitte · « **Reply #16 on:** April 08, 2009, 06:54:13 pm »

Petro-Canada's Glide system rocks.

99 Silver · « **Reply #17 on:** April 08, 2009, 07:49:31 pm »

Quote from: slybry on April 08, 2009, 06:42:35 pm

Quote from: rrocket on April 07, 2009, 09:46:00 pm
I'm very impressed with the Sunoco system. It washes the car very thoroughly and you control the speed for the initial undercarriage spray and the speed through the dryers..though you do have only 60 seconds to go through the dryers which is plenty, even driven slowly. Plus if you use the Sunoco rewards card when you fill up, every 4 or 5th fill up you'll have enough points for a free wash.

Just how big is your tank???

600 HP burns lots of gas!

safristi · « **Reply #18 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:03:07 pm »

Quote from: Brigitte on April 08, 2009, 06:54:13 pm

Petro-Canada's Glide system rocks.

..i can't see rocks washing yer sins away...................Larva Lamps maybe............

markan · « **Reply #19 on:** May 04, 2009, 05:25:50 am »

Quote from: rrocket on April 07, 2009, 09:46:00 pm

I'm very impressed with the Sunoco system. It washes the car very thoroughly and you control the speed for the initial undercarriage spray and the speed through the dryers..though you do have only 60 seconds to go through the dryers which is plenty, even driven slowly. Plus if you use the Sunoco rewards card when you fill up, every 4 or 5th fill up you'll have enough points for a free wash.

I like it as well. Might even get the rewards card and collect for the free wash.