Brushless Car Wash: Pros & Cons of a No Touch Car Wash (2024)

When was the last time you stopped at your local car wash? Did you pause for a moment, wondering whether or not you should visit a touchless car wash instead? If so, then you’re not the only one. Plenty of car owners want to know if touchless car washes are better.

What does a brushless car wash mean?

A brushless car wash is simply another type of car wash. It relies on high-powe­red jets of water and strong detergents to clean cars, and because it doesn’t touch your car, the only things that do come in physical contact with your vehicle’s exterior are the water and the cleaning solutions being used.

Other than that, touchless or no-touch car washes, more often than not, function similarly to your typical car wash. In fact, below, you’ll find the step-by-step process for using a touchless automatic car wash:

• First, your car will be placed on the conveyor track.
• Next, you may be asked to put your car into neutral, park, or turn it off altogether.
• Once ready, a series of rollers will then move your vehicle through the car wash tunnel while the car wash begins the process of washing your car.
• After your vehicle has been washed, a dry cycle will then begin.
• Once the dry cycle completes, you will then be directed to exit the car wash.

Is brushless better than non-brushless?

There are a few good reasons to visit your area’s touchless car wash. First, visiting a brushless car wash can not only save you time but is also a good option for maintenance washes between more thorough scrub-downs.

Because touchless car washes are, well, touchless, they can also be better for your car’s paint and exterior finishings. Not all car washes are well kept, and if a car wash is using dirty clothes or brushes to clean your car, it could lead to some unsightly problems.

Dennis Taljan, director for automotive coatings at the paint company PPG, shared with Consumer Reports that these days, while automotive finishes are durable enough for any kind of car wash, poorly maintained bristles or soft-cloth washes could lead to some problems.

“As designs, they’re all capable, and I don’t have any hesitation with any of them,” he says. “But as they’re maintained, that’s where you can get a difference.”

What are the negatives of a touchless car wash?

There are some downsides to touchless car washes. Family Handyman reports that brushless car washes won’t clean your car quite as well as a thorough hand wash or an automated friction wash. Those aren’t the only cons to keep in mind, either.

The blowers used aren’t always the best at drying vehicles, which means you’ll need to keep an eye out for excess moisture. Incomplete drying can also result in spotting on your car’s finish, and who wants a spotty-looking car after rolling through the car wash? Not I.

Below, you’ll find two more negatives of visiting a touchless car wash to clean your car’s exterior:

• Car washes often use harsh chemicals, which in a brushless car wash, may cause damage to your car’s clear coat.
• Touchless car washes aren’t always able to clean hard-to-reach areas, which can result in leftover dirt and debris, which can cause corrosion to the vehicle’s exterior.

How to find the best full-service touchless car wash in your area

Chances are, your area has quite a few brushless car washes to choose from. While that’s certainly not a bad thing, it could make choosing the best car wash near you a stressful task. Fortunately, we have a few tips for how to find the best touchless car wash in your area:

• Check out online reviews – places like Google Reviews, Facebook, and Yelp can be extremely helpful when it comes to finding a good car wash in your area.
• Stop by the car wash – Is it well maintained? What types of services do they offer? Are they using high-quality soaps?

Regularly washing your car’s exterior will keep it in good condition

Car maintenance is one of those things that people love to hate. It’s not only inconvenient but can also be a bit tedious too. The same can be said about getting your car washed. Fortunately, touchless car washes can save you both time and effort while also keeping your vehicle’s exterior looking shiny and new.