A brushless car wash could put your mind at rest if you’re worried about a traditional brush-based car wash scratching your paint finish. Others share your concerns. Research shows there’s increasing demand for gentler car care. As a result, more car wash businesses are investing in brushless or touchless cleaning systems. This gives you more choices than ever but raises questions about which type to use, sustainability, user experience, and what you get for your money. So, here’s what you need to know.

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What is a Brushless Car Wash?

A brushless car wash uses high-pressure water and chemicals, not brushes, to clean your car exterior. The absence of brushes means people also call it a “touchless”, “touch-free”, or “frictionless” car wash. Only water and detergents make physical contact with your paintwork, reducing the risk of scratches that traditional brush-based washes can cause.

However, note that some tunnel car wash services may call themselves brushless but are not strictly touchless. Instead of brushes, these “soft touch” or soft cloth car washes use soft foam-like material on rotating cloth wraps to get the grime off your prized possession. So, if you want a frictionless car wash, choose one that only uses water and chemicals.

How It Works

Using a brushless car wash is straightforward enough. Drive into the wash bay and let the wash system do the work. There will be instructions at the bay entrance, such as “pull ahead”, “stop”, and “exit”, to guide you through the process. Here’s an example of how it works:

1. Buy wash services displayed on the entrance screen to the car wash.
2. Drive into the car wash bay.
3. The latest equipment has scanning technology and sensors to calculate the size and shape of your car, ensuring a fast and precise clean.
4. Pre-soak: The pre-soak or pre-wash stage uses specialized detergents on your car exterior to loosen dried-on dirt, grime, and other contaminants.
5. High-pressure wash: This powerful rinse effectively dislodges and rinses away the loosened dirt and soap.
6. Optional steps: Upgrade your wash package with add-ons, such as bug remover, undercarriage wash, triple-foam application, clear coat protectant, or a spot-free rinse. These options help you customize your wash.
7. Drying: Lastly, you can select a basic integrated dry that rinses and dries your vehicle in 10 seconds or less. Some places have powerful standalone dryers.
8. How long does it take? A basic brushless wash takes around 3 minutes.

Are Brushless Car Washes Safe for Your Car?

Yes, this type of car wash is generally safer for your car than some other automatic car washes. Traditional brush-based car washes use high-speed rotating brushes to scrub your car exterior, which can sometimes trap dirt and debris, leading to scratches or swirl marks on the paintwork. In contrast, brushless washes rely on high-pressure water jets and foam, which can be gentler on your paintwork. See the pros and cons, below.

Pros and Cons

Like any automated car wash business, washing your vehicle without brushes has advantages and challenges. Here is a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

• Brushless: The unique selling point means no spinning automatic brushes go anywhere near your car paintwork, reducing the risk of micro scratches and swirl marks.
• Improved technology: Sensors scan the size and shape of your vehicle for precision cleaning.
• Quick and convenient: You can have a clean car exterior in 5 minutes, like a drive through car wash.
• Cost: Depending on the car wash package, you can clean your car for $10-$20.
• Customization: Additional services like tire and wheel cleaning, undercarriage wash, and high-gloss wax applications are available.
• Useful during winter: It is a quick way to wash off snow and road salt without leaving your car. In contrast, do it yourself car wash is not so much fun in freezing weather. See our tips on washing car in winter.
• Eye-catching: Some brushless washes with bright LED lights put on an entertaining show for you.
• Availability: In-bay brushless systems can operate 24/7.

Cons

• Use of harsh chemicals: Do brushless car washes damage paint? Brushless washes need strong chemicals and foaming agents to dissolve dirt and grime effectively. So, they could also strip your paint of protective layers, such as wax or paint sealant.
• Incomplete cleaning: Despite a pre-soak and the power of a high-pressure wash cycle, it’s not always enough to remove stubborn contaminants and dried-on bugs. Therefore, you might need to hand wash these areas. See our tips on how to hand wash a car.
• Water usage: Brushless systems can use around 45 gallons to wash your car, depending on the design. Look for places with the latest water recycling systems that reuse water from previous washes. For a more sustainable option, see a waterless car wash or a steam hand car wash.
• Limited cleaning options: Often takes a one-size-fits-all approach, which might not suit you when you need to clean the inside of your vehicle. However, some places have flex car wash options where you can request interior detailing and more. For a comprehensive clean, check out a full service car wash.
• Lacks personal touch: While you can customize your brushless car wash, it’s not quite the same as hands-on auto detailing, where the experts take utmost care of your car.

Different Types

Many automatic in-bay car washes feature brushless car wash systems. However, the equipment and wash methods vary between service providers. Here is some more info and frequently asked questions:

• A laser car wash and an Aquajet car wash are brushless and touch-free designs. There are no conveyors; just drive into the bay. Depending on your wash package, the in-bay automatic equipment takes about 7 minutes.
• Brown Bear offers brushless wash packages. Prices range from $9-$15.
• Is Mister Car Wash brushless? It doesn’t use brushes but isn’t “touchless” either. It uses rotating cloth wraps and tunnel systems at its locations. As you enter the tunnel, your wash package includes spray foam, friction contact, and blower technology to dry.
• Is Cobblestone Car Wash brushless? Again, like Mister Car Wash, it doesn’t use brushes, but it does use Neoglide cloths (like wetsuit material) on the exterior of your car.
• Is Club Car Wash brushless? No, it is not touchless. This automatic express wash uses soft cloths with options such as bug prep, pre-soak, tri-foam, and tire shine.
• Are dealership car washes brushless? Yes, many car dealerships use a brushless car wash because it is a quick and efficient way to wash a lot of cars. Some high-tech systems can clean up to 20 vehicles per hour.

As brushless car washes grow in popularity, you can try searching online for your nearest one. Most websites have a search feature where you add your zip code to find a car wash in your location – a quick check with your local car wash to confirm which technology they use.

Brushless Equipment

In-bay brushless designs without a conveyor are ideal for a 24 hour car wash because they don’t require attendants. The major companies in this market include:

• PDQ: It designs the Laser Wash 360 Plus car wash system. This Flash Dry option removes 80% of water from your car exterior in 10 seconds. Also, this is the one to look out for if you love a laser wash with multi-colored LED lights.
• Washworld: Look out for the Razor XR-7 in-bay automatic car wash. It has the latest vehicle sizing system and spray arch to ensure a comprehensive clean.
• AUTEC: It makes touch-free systems that can take vehicles up to 90” tall and 122” wide. Also, it comes with 20 zero-degree oscillating nozzles to clean those hard-to-reach places.

Conclusion

To sum up, you may prefer a brushless car wash if you want to minimize the risk of micro scratches caused by automatic car wash brushes. Advanced technology means your vehicle gets a more precise clean, while water-saving systems can help reduce your environmental impact. Look out for reputable brand names that use high-quality equipment and products.

However, if you’re seeking a greener option that uses little to no water, we can help. Our trained team offers a personalized steam car hand wash experience, guaranteeing a planet-friendly clean. Interior detailing and additional services are available, too.

If you’re interested in the latest water-saving car wash technology, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide: