It’s not really accurate to call a car wash “touchless,” now that you think about it. In the end, how can the car be properly cleaned if it is not “touched” during the wash? In fact, what we now call “touchless washes” were created as an alternative to traditional friction washes, which use foam cloths (often called “brushes”) to physically touch the car in order to apply and remove waxes, cleaners, and dirt and grime that have built up. Even though friction washes are a good way to clean, the parts of the wash that touch the car can hurt it.
“Touchless” still makes touch with the car, but there are no brushes. This phrase is much easier to say and remember than to actually explain how a car is washed: “finely targeted high-pressure nozzles and low-pressure detergent and wax application to clean the vehicle.”
At the same time, there is no doubt that touchless in-bay automatic car washes have become the most popular type of in-bay automatic wash among both wash owners and the drivers who visit their sites. To be more specific, the International Carwash Association has recently found that up to 80% of all in-bay robotic washes sold in the US are touchless.
The Magnificent 7 Touchless Benefits of CBK Cars Wash
What is it about touchless washes that has earned them such high regard and a strong place in the car wash business? The answer is in the seven main benefits they give to people who use them.
Protecting the Vehicle
As stated, due to their method of operation, there is very little worry that a vehicle will become damaged in a touchless wash since nothing touches the vehicle except detergent and wax solutions and high-pressure water. This not only saves the vehicle’s mirrors and antenna, but also its delicate clear-coat finish, which can be harmed by some friction washes’ old-school cloths or brushes.
Not as many mechanical parts
By their design, touchless vehicle-wash systems have fewer mechanical components than their friction-wash peers. The operator gets two small bonuses from this design: 1) Less equipment means a cleaner wash bay that drivers will want to use, and 2) Less equipment means fewer parts that can break or wear out, which means lower costs for repairs and replacements and less time lost from work that costs money.
24/7/365 Service
The laundry can be used 24 hours a day without the need for a wash attendant if it has an entry system that takes cash, credit cards, coins, or numerical entry codes. This is especially true where it is cold. Touchless washes can usually stay open when it’s cold outside.
Not much work
When we talk about wash attendants, touchless wash systems don’t need a lot of human contact or supervision because they work automatically with fewer moving parts and less complexity.
More opportunities to make money
Recent improvements in touchless-wash technology have opened up more ways for providers to make more money by adding new services or tailoring existing services to meet the needs of each customer. Some of the services that are offered are bug prep, specialized sealant applicators, high-gloss applications, better arch control for better detergent coverage, and faster drying processes. Light shows can be added to these features that bring in money and draw people from far away.
Less expensive to own
These state-of-the-art touchless wash systems use less water, power, and waxes and detergents to clean the car properly, which saves money that can be seen right away. Also, making it easier to use and fix problems and replace parts cuts down on the cost of ongoing upkeep.
The best return on investment
A new generation of touchless car washes will raise the number of washes done, bring in more money per wash, and lower costs per vehicle. This mix of benefits gives wash owners faster return on investment (ROI) and peace of mind that comes from knowing that a faster, easier, and more efficient wash will probably lead to more profits in the years to come.