Touch-Free vs. Soft-Touch Car Wash: Which Is Best?

When you are considering opening a car wash business, you have several options. You could opt for a self-service model with car wash bays where customers wash their cars by hand themselves. Yet, many people are in a hurry these days, so this model may not be the best one.

Alternatively, there are two time-saving car wash models you could choose instead—a touch-free car wash or a soft touch car wash. Both car wash models are automatic wash systems, yet they operate differently. You need to compare touch-free vs. soft-touch car wash models to determine which one is better for you.

What Is a Touch-Free Car Wash?

A touch-free car wash is a car wash system that does not use foams, brushes, or felt cloths to wash the vehicle. There is no physical contact with the vehicle when it is washed. Instead, there are special types of car wash soaps used that help remove inorganic matter and organic matter from the vehicle.

After applying the soaps, high-pressure water is used to rinse the soap off the vehicle. The wash system uses various sensors to determine the shape of the vehicle as it moves back and forth to wash it.

Hot waxes and other such applications are then applied to the vehicle. High-powered air dryers then turn on to spray off the water and dry the vehicle. Most touchless car washes are pull-in type washes where the wash system moves around the vehicle.

What Is a Soft-Touch Car Wash?

Soft-touch washes use closed-cell foam and felt cloths to help wash the vehicles. Instead of spraying soap onto the vehicle, like with touchless car washes, the soap is injected into the foam or felt cloth as it washes the vehicle.

Using this method ensures the soap keeps the foam or cloths lubricated to attract and remove bird droppings, dirt, and debris. Water is also released to help keep the foam or felt saturated and wet while it washes. After the wash cycle completes, high-pressure water is used to rinse off the vehicle.

Next, hot waxes and other finishing applications are applied to the vehicle. The foam or cloths might be used to evenly distribute over the vehicle. A second rinse is performed if necessary. Last, the car is dried either using dry foam, soft cloths, or a high-pressured air drier.

A soft-touch car wash set up could consist of a pull-in style wash where the system moves around the vehicle or a conveyor system where the car is pulled through the car wash.

Pros and Cons of a Touch-Free Car Wash

Touchless car washes have several advantages and disadvantages as follows:

Pros

The wash system’s sensors provide a very accurate wash as the system can adjust itself to fit the size and shape of the vehicle.
The vehicle’s surface is never touched by any moving parts.
Customers can customize their wash options to suit their needs.
The wash system requires less maintenance than soft-touch washes.
Touchless wash systems are less likely to potentially damage vehicles.

Cons

Caked on mud, dirt, and debris that has gone without washing for several weeks is much harder to clean and can require multiple washes.
A reliable computer processing system is needed to keep the system working correctly.
Sensors can need adjusting, periodically, and replacing if they fail.
A haze may be left afterward from pollen or dust that has been baked onto the vehicle by the sun.
Hard-to-reach areas on the vehicle may not be fully washed.
Water spots may remain in certain areas on the vehicle.

Pros and Cons of a Soft-Touch Car Wash

Soft-touch wash systems have their benefits and disadvantages too, as follows:

Pros

Dirt, dust, pollen, and mud are more thoroughly removed from the physical contact with the soft felt or foam washcloths.
Hard-to-reach areas on the vehicle are easier to clean from contact with the wash system.
Baked on pollen and dust haziness is normally not a problem after the vehicle has been washed and dried.
Customers can customize their wash options to suit their needs.
It delivers results that are more like hand washing the vehicle.
Fewer water spots remain if the car is dried using soft cloths.

Cons

The soft-touch foam and felt cloths must be cleaned to remove dirt and debris from them.
The soft-touch washcloths must be replaced periodically, as they do wear out.
A soft-touch system could cause potential damage to a vehicle’s exterior if it is not well-maintained.
Loose parts could be removed from the vehicle from the washcloths.
The soap delivery system must be tested and maintained to ensure proper functioning and saturation levels.

Deciding Which Car Wash Business Is Best for You

As can be seen, there are pros and cons to both touchless car washes and soft-touch washes. To help you decide which is best, consider the following questions:

How much space do you have available for the car wash? If you have a small space a touchless wash may be better.
Do you have an existing self-serve car wash business? You could convert one of the bays to an automatic wash system for customers who do not have time for hand washing their vehicles.
What type of budget do you have? The amount you have to invest can influence the type of wash system you select.
How much will it cost for car wash system parts, components, soap, etc.? System operating costs can influence what type of wash system you choose.
How difficult is car wash system maintenance? Will you be able to do your own maintenance or will you need to hire someone else? Do not forget to include maintenance costs when deciding on the wash system to use.

Ultimately, it will come down to what type of wash system best fits your budget, needs, and objectives. For example, if there are several soft-touch washes in your area, you may get a competitive advantage by opening a touch-free car wash instead.

No matter what type of car wash you open or currently operate, you can find car wash supplies, accessories, parts, vending machines, and more at wholesale prices at Superior Car Wash Supply. Browse our online product catalog or contact us at 800-554-9274 for further assistance today!