Automated Car Washes???

**wai** · 20-12-2012, 01:11 PM

Actually, you need to be careful of all washes where soap is sprayed at the car at high pressure.

The soap lowers the surface tension of the fluid and under pressure will enter seams. The soap solution will not be washed out as water on its own has a surface tension preventing it getting into those same gaps.

After a while, the soap will break down and the result can be corrosion.

**Veeduby** · 20-12-2012, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by wai

Actually, you need to be careful of all washes where soap is sprayed at the car at high pressure.

The soap lowers the surface tension of the fluid and under pressure will enter seams. The soap solution will not be washed out as water on its own has a surface tension preventing it getting into those same gaps.

After a while, the soap will break down and the result can be corrosion.

I assume this also applies to using snowfoam guns? Anything in particular that needs to be done to avoid this?

**Lemonskin** · 20-12-2012, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by wai

Actually, you need to be careful of all washes where soap is sprayed at the car at high pressure.

The soap lowers the surface tension of the fluid and under pressure will enter seams. The soap solution will not be washed out as water on its own has a surface tension preventing it getting into those same gaps.

After a while, the soap will break down and the result can be corrosion.

Eek! Seems the easiest way will be for me to just fork out a little more $$$ but have me a nice handwashed car!

**DasPassat** · 20-12-2012, 03:29 PM

There is a touch free wash at Kirrawee where you can also wash it yourself. Haven't tried the touch free wash there myself.

http://www.envirowash.net.au/Locatio...h-Kirrawee.asp

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**wai** · 21-12-2012, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by Veeduby

I assume this also applies to using snowfoam guns? Anything in particular that needs to be done to avoid this?

The only way is to avoid the pressure hitting the seams (not very easy) with the soap solition. If you use a pressure washer to wash the soap off that was applied by hand, you aim it at a panel and let the flow wash the soap off.

**Lemonskin** · 21-12-2012, 09:21 AM

I tried going to the place in Burraneer Bay today... 10am and the guy already had 6 cars waiting! He does them by himself so I would have been waiting a long time. I see now why my folks go up there and leave the car for a few hours! Anyway its apparently $30 there so not much cheaper than the basic wash from Crystal or Diamond.

**Wolfgang** · 24-03-2013, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Lemonskin

Bit hard as I live in a unit and park in secure lock up parking. Anyone know of any good waterless cleaning products?

I know this is from a few months ago but I had to wait until i knew this was going to be available in Aus.

Garry Dean's Infinite Use Detail Juice

Anyone I know who has used it is loving it. Even a few pro detailers.

PM me if you want details as its not available from any site sponsors and I don't want to tread on anybody's toes.

**TSI_Dan** · 24-03-2013, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by ill0gitech

The place up at Sutherland near the SUS club is good too, but there's usually a bit of a wait.
Let me know how you go up Burraneer Bay Rd.

Yeah I've heard the Sutherland one is decent. Also heard of a car being slowly stuffed from many visits to the mechanical washer next to Lexus at Kirrawee. I don't have much first hand experience with those washers as I always do mine at home. You could try the BP at Loftus which offers a timed pressure hose from memory.

PS, I noted a GTI with Sharks plates being held up by a painfully slow Merc behind the Coles at Miranda on Thurs or Friday afternoon. Hmmmm I wonder who that was...