Automated Car Washes
Automated car washes are automated systems that use a combination of water and air jets, brushes, and other tools to clean cars as they pass through. Automated car washes are an alternative to manual full-service and self-service car washes, which do not involve the use of any automated equipment.
Quick links to Automated Car Washes Information
Benefits of Using Automated Car Washes
Automated car washes are valued primarily because of their efficiency and low labor-intensiveness. They require only periodic maintenance and can run without the attention of a technician for long stretches of time. Their operation consumes a predictable amount of soap, water, and electricity, thus making their cost of operation easy to predict. Also, customers can rely on wash quality to be the same during every wash cycle. Some automated car wash designs do not even require customers to leave their vehicles, allowing for the fastest possible wash experience. Automated car wash systems are generally chosen over manual washes for their value and speed. Also, the cloth friction brushes and soaps now employed in many automated car washes are considered to be safer than the tools often used in manual car washes; they are specially designed to prevent damage to vehicles’ finishes. Also, many automated car washes are capable of washing places on cars that cannot be reached by manual washes, such as undercarriages.
Types of Automated Car Washes
Automated car washes can be separated into two categories: cloth friction and touchless. Cloth friction car washes use mitter curtains or brushes covered with a cloth or foam material to scrub and clean the vehicle. Mitter curtains are long strips of cloth that hang over the car and move up and down the vehicle. They clean all areas of the cars’ exterior. Many automated car washes also include undercarriage washers that spray the underside of the vehicles. Touchless washers use a system of sprayers arranged in an arch above the vehicle instead of brushes. These sprayers are employed for pre-washing, soap application, and rinsing. In both contact and touchless washing, vehicle owners can sometimes choose to apply a wax coat. At the end of automated car washes, high-power dryers apply heated air to blow the car dry. Some automated washes combine elements of automation and manual care. For example, some car washes use automated equipment for washing and manual towel drying at the end of the process. Whether a car is subject to automated or manual washing, washing is an important part of maintaining a car’s appearance and performance.
