Touchless Car Wash Everyday Bad?
 

Ok so upon clicking this I'm sure many of you came here to write #FirstWorldProblems but here's my situation.

So in Canada we have a gas station called petro-canada that sells a season pass where you get 180 days of car washes for $360. Basically you get one car wash a day for 180 days, I originally bought this because I figure I will do about 30 car washes over half a year regardless of having this pass so it more than pays for itself. Anyway, I plan on rotating using the pass between my two cars this winter so they effectively will get washed every second day. I know this may seem like overkill but Im also thinking of the rust proofing aspect of having them washed frequently since there will be almost no chance for the brine to sink in before it gets washed off.

I have optic oat applied to 60% of the car but will I have any clear coat issues down the road if I do this?

IMHO post your question at the Optimum Forums. I just got Opti Coat Pro and Opti Seal applied to my car about a month ago. I was told by the detailer/owner to just wash car with Carpro Reset shampoo & reapply Opti Seal in 3 months. But at Optimum Forum I was told I could use Optimum No Rinse Wash and Shine & Optimum Instant Detailer. I wonder what sort chemicals that Touchless Car Wash has. My understanding is if there's any sort of cleaners in waterless wash/detailing the Opti Coat Pro could be wiped off.

Also they probably use recycled water that is sometimes barely filtered, if at all. I would get a cup in a glass just to see, maybe let it dry up in the cup and see the residue. I guess almost anything is better than salt/road grime.

Nope. You won't have anything but a super clean car. Opti-Coat isn't affected by touchless washes regardless of how strong the chemicals are. What could happen is over time a minor accumulation of oil based road grime could develop that would need a deep hand wash cleaning to remove.

This. I've been told to stay away, OC or not.

Car washes that use recycled water only using it during the washing stages. Not the rinsing ones. Many people have the false notion that the same quality of water that gets rinsed off your vehicle that contains dirt, oils and chemicals gets sprayed directly back on to your vehicle. That's not even anywhere close to being accurate. This water is totally safe as well from a clarity and abrasive stand point as it gets filtered extensively prior to being reused. It probably isn't safe to drink, but it's totally fine to be used as a pre-rinse.

I wouldn't use a touchless wash because the detergents they use are considerably more "powerful" that what you need. They have to be though if they're going to get your car remotely clean without touching it.

I hand wash exclusively.


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I have OC on 100% of my car, did season pass last year and this year and it still beads like a mofo....

Just don't do that wax since it's useless on the OC

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The only real concern about using Touchless washes is that because of the harsh cleaners used it will strip normal sealants/waxes. The OP's car is Opti-Coated. Therefore it won't be harmed by these chemicals.

That's what I meant. I wasn't concerned about it harming the paint. Just his LSPs.

I have used the Petro Can car wash passes for several years over 3 different cars and never had a single issue with the water quality, strength of the soap or wax build up (mentioned on anther thread). My old 03 Lancer is owned by a neighbour and although winter driven since new it was washed every other day at the same station and still looks like it just came off the showroom floor.
Now, I tried Canadian Tire's wash one winter and had every single issue you can think of!


I am constantly harassed at work for having a clean car in the winter!