If you’re curious about a laser car wash, we have all the information you need. Learn what it is and how it works. Also, find out why it could be a good alternative to some other automatic car washes, especially if you’re concerned about paint damage. And we look at the pros and cons, including whether laser wash “touchless” methods are tough on dirt. Equally important, you can find out if this system is environmentally friendly or if greener car care is available.

If you’re interested in water-saving auto detailing that’s changing the way we wash cars, download our Eco Wash Benefit Guide:

What is a Laser Car Wash

Although a laser car wash sounds futuristic, the concept is simple. It is one of the car wash services that doesn’t use brushes and isn’t a soft cloth car wash. Actual lasers don’t do the cleaning. Instead, pressurized water and cleaning agents lift off dirt, grime, and other contaminants. The term “laser” refers to the precision of the car wash sensors used to ensure the best possible cleaning.

How it Works

Familiarizing yourself with how the laser wash works can help make your user experience easier and more enjoyable. A laser car wash typically goes through a series of automated stages designed to clean and dry your vehicle. Here are the steps:

• You drive into the wash bay and stop according to the light signal.
• A pre-soak loosens the dirt and grime on your car exterior.
• Then, advanced laser and sensor systems scan your vehicle to measure its dimensions, contours, and areas requiring cleaning. This ensures the washing equipment adjusts to the shape of your car for the perfect wash.
• Next, a combination of cleaning solutions, detergents, and high-pressure water jets thoroughly clean your car’s exterior surfaces, including the body and wheels.
• After cleaning, your car undergoes a rinsing stage, during which fresh water is sprayed to remove any remaining soap residue and contaminants, leaving the surface clean and spot-free.
• The final stage involves high-powered air blowers to dry your car.
• Some laser car washes may also offer extras like triple foam conditioner, waxing and polishing completed within a few minutes.

Touch Free Car Wash Types

So, what is a touch free car wash? Is it the same as a laser car wash? Yes, it is – people use the terms interchangeably because a laser car wash is a touch-free system. Various car wash equipment manufacturers offer automated car wash systems that utilize the latest technology for precise vehicle scanning and positioning. You’ll undoubtedly see these brand names when you visit a brushless car wash or a 24 hour car wash. Let’s explore some of the options available:

• The LaserWash 360 Plus is from PDQ Manufacturing Inc. It is an in-bay automatic touchless car wash with disco vibes, thanks to bright color foam and a laser-glow arch that lights up during the wash cycle.
• AquaJet car wash is designed by Mark VII, a car wash equipment manufacturer. It doesn’t specifically talk about lasers, but the touchless concept is the same. It says “turbo technology” blasts dirt off your car and claims to use less water (23 gallons) and chemicals than other touchless systems. Like some of the other designs, it uses a multi-color LED light show to wow you during the wash process.
• Autec also provides a touch-free system with electric laser eye sensors to assess the size and shape of your car before delivering a precise wash. It offers add-ons like an undercarriage wash, triple foam application, and a special “bug buster” clean.

Pros and Cons

As with most automated car wash services, there are pros and cons to consider before you pull up to the wash bay.

Pros

• Touch-free: Laser touchless car washing lives up to its name because no part of your car is “touched” during cleaning. Simply drive into the facility and let the sophisticated equipment and technology get to work. The wash system cleans your vehicle without leaving scratches or swirl marks, which can be a problem with automated brushes or dirty washcloths at a drive through car wash.
• Time-saving: If you’re in a hurry and don’t have time for a do it yourself car wash, a laser wash can clean your vehicle in 5 minutes.
• Affordable: This type of car wash is also relatively cheap if you choose the basic wash package. See prices, below. For a little extra, you can request add-ons such as cleaning the undercarriage.
• Light show: Some of the latest laser washes use bright color foam with LED lights to turn the car wash into a fun experience.

Cons

• Cleaning results: While this car wash does a good job, it can’t guarantee a brilliant clean, especially on dirtier vehicles. The nozzles directing the water and detergents may miss certain areas, leaving some nooks and crannies untreated. If you love attention to detail, why not learn how to hand wash a car like a pro?
• Water usage: It uses a lot of high-pressure water to clean vehicles. Some places use 23 gallons per vehicle, but others use a lot more. For environmentally friendly options, choose a steam-cleaning hand car wash or a waterless hand wash.
• Not suitable for damaged paint on older vehicles: If your car paint is peeling or flaking, high-pressure water can worsen the condition of the paint. See our post on are car washes bad for your car.
• Detergents: Not every facility uses high-quality soaps and foams. Harsh chemicals are bad news for your wax layer.
• Water spots: Laser washes use high-pressure dryers after rinsing. However, some customers complain that their cars never come out completely dry. And if you live somewhere hot, you’ll drive off with the water droplets drying into your clear coat, leaving noticeable marks.
• No interior cleaning: It only offers an exterior clean unless part of a flex car wash business or a full service car wash that employs a team of auto detailers.

Check out our video that compares automatic car washes with their touchless or laser counterparts: https://youtu.be/_UZLv7mjJpg?si=nLghQHe-M2LHMXlN

Cost of Laser Car Wash

Laser or touchless car wash prices depend on your location, the business, and which package you choose. For example:

• Basic wash, rinse and dry is around $7-$10.
• Standard wash with triple foam polish and undercarriage cleaning costs $12-$15.
• Superior wash with add-ons including bug soak, polish, rust inhibitor, clear coat protection and wax is around $22-$25.
• Membership prices: Monthly membership plans can be cost-effective if you wash your car often. For example, you could get 2 basic washes per week for $29.95. Again, it depends on what is included in the package and where you go.

Remember that prices may change, or discounts may be applied as part of a loyalty program package.

Conclusion

A laser car wash is a touch free car wash, which is the obvious choice if you want to avoid brushes or anything but water and cleaning soaps touching your car. Advanced technology and sensors enable precision cleaning to suit your vehicle’s size and shape. Moreover, it won’t break the bank at around $9-$15, depending on the package. So, it will do the trick if you’re looking for a quick, satisfactory clean.

However, this type of car wash is more suited for lightly soiled vehicles. So, if your car is muddy or you haven’t cleaned it in a while, it will need more than a 5-minute wash. DetailXPerts takes a more hands-on approach with our unique steam cleaning methods when you need a superior clean. Hot pressurized steam is tough on dirt but gentle on your paintwork. Moreover, it is a green car wash. We only use 1 pint of water to clean an average-size car. Overall, better for your car and the environment.

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