Touchless Vs. Soft-Touch Tunnels: Which Is Better For Your Vehicle?

Car wash technology has come a long way from the days when we all tackled the task by hand. With the development of tunnel car washes, two main types of wash technologies have become popular: touchless and soft-touch tunnels. Let’s dive into the differences between the two and which one is right for you.

Touchless Vehicle Tunnels

In this type of car wash, vehicles are cleaned using high-pressure water, detergents and air dryers without the use of cloth brushes. Because there is no physical contact with the vehicle, there is no potential risk for surface abrasions. However, touchless car tunnels require the use of harsh detergents that can strip wax and damage your vehicle’s paint finish. They are also less effective at removing dirt and debris than soft-touch washing systems. They often leave grime and other contaminants on vehicular body panels and the undercarriage.

Soft-Touch Tunnel Washes

As the name suggests, soft-touch car tunnels use soft, rotating cloth materials to make physical contact to clean your car. They are designed to be gentle on paintwork while providing a more comprehensive clean, including those “hard to reach” places. They are used in conjunction with mild soaps to remove heavy dirt buildup, pollen and other contaminants. They provide a more thorough clean than touchless wash systems. The buffing action also contributes to a shinier finish. While there is a risk of light swirls or damage to mirrors and antennas with soft-touch systems, the modern materials and precision application used in tunnels like those at Xpress Car Wash ensure that the risk remains low.

Which One Is Right For You?

The superior wash delivered by soft-touch tunnel washes is preferred by many daily drivers. The constant exposure to grime, pollen, bird droppings and other contaminants (such as road salt) makes thorough cleaning the most important aspect for regular car washing. For owners of luxury or classic cars for whom a pristine paint finish is paramount, a touchless car wash might be the way to go.

Want to learn more about the benefits of choosing Xpress Car Wash? Click here for information about the technology we use to get your vehicle clean and shiny. We also make it convenient and affordable with monthly car wash memberships that you can use at any of our locations.