are these safe for the paint and do they actually work. it just seems it would be hard to wash a car without touching it.

Yes they are safe, much safer than the ones that drag brushes with dirt and rocks in them, across your paint.

I think they work, but it varies. There's a few in my area owned by the same company, that all are nice. There's a couple others with a different nozzle system that doesn't seem to do as nice a job. I usually spring for the "double wash", where it puts soap on twice, as it seems to get some more of the grime off.

Now, I'm not hard core on cleaning my car(it's actually a terrible mess now, has been for months, due to lack of time). I usually did it as an inbetween hand washings type deal. Also, during the colder months, when the nice wash days are few and far between, I try to run it through one a few days before I plan to wash it, just to make my hand wash a little easier.

there is an ernies touchless car wash by my house...and it sucks, even though it looks high tech and brand new, and expensive. I still had dirt all over my lower door panels, basically it only washed the top of my car...it's a waste of money imo

I tried one at a Chevron gas station and wasn't impressed. I get lots of bird pee spots...maybe it's the silver color, and with all that water pressure it still couldn't take them off. There's no substitute for some light scrubbing with a wash mitt IMO.

What scared me was the extremely high air pressure they use to dry the car. Makes the whole car shake and doesn't strike me as being good for the body panels. :eek:

Theres a touchless carwash in my town and it washes very well. I usually hand dry the car afterwards instead of using the dryers. However, sometimes there is some grime left over after the wash. I also recommend staying away from the "brushless" carwashes because they pick up all the dirt off the suvs that go thru.

Oh, I forgot to add...don't use the wax option. I only do the wash at those things. Never bother to use the wax.

I've used the Mobil station brushless for years (2000 Forester) without any problems.

I've been using the touchless car washes in the winter for the last couple years.

The only downside is the high-pressure water will rip the paint off anywhere you have rock chips. My hood looks like it has dandruff. :(

I've tried several touchless carwashes in my area and they range from poor to fair. I only use them during the winter months to get some of the salt off of the car. I hand wash weekly the rest of the year.

Bill

Oh, I forgot to add...don't use the wax option. I only do the wash at those things. Never bother to use the wax.

I've spun out leaving a place that washed with wax. Scary. Was very low speed, but felt like I was on ice.