Edit: as in no need to really dry/wipe off the prior application? Or is it really just a soap and wash that gets most of dirt off?
In: 660
X liquid gets things loose so Y liquid can spread it apart when scrubbed. Then your car is clean. Then they spray on Z liquid which acts like plastic wrap. Sticks to the car but let’s other things slide off.
It is basically soap, hot water, and some wax dispersed in water. Yeah, they could just call things what they are.
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Well for starters it’s important to accept the fact that a lot of products make tall claims. Not that they’re outright lying but they oversimplify the process a lot.
But generally cleaning chemicals can loosen up dirt and oil and foreign objects on the car’s surfaces, which makes them very easy to wash off. Then there’s liquids that harden into a transparent coating which protects the paint underneath to a certain degree as most wear and tear and scratches happen on the surface layer. Of course they don’t offer perfect protection, they’re after all just very thin films of material. Some may also provide protection against UV rays which can damage paint, much like the same way sunscreen does which is also transparent but it definitely blocks out those wavelengths.
That’s the simple explanation. The real explanation involves a lot of chemistry.
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As a detailer, I can tell you that touchless wash doesn’t get the car completely clean. It might get the most visible dirt off, but without physical contact there will always be a road film left. I only recommend washing by hand.
Some liquids are more acidic and some liquids are more alkaline. Bugs and dirt can be removed from a car’s paint, rubber, and glass more effectively by using a liquid with the right ph and other additives like detergents and surfactants. Applying the right chemicals in the right order can produce a clean and protected car.
Most car washes use timed application of a variety of chemicals. The timed application allows for stronger chemicals to be used.
Low pH and high pH chemicals can leave marks on the trim and paint if left on too long, and are usually avoided by car wash processes involving humans. With a timed process, they can be sure to avoid any problems by making sure the low pH and high pH chemicals are neutralized before any damage can be done.
Waxes and polymer sealants can be applied in liquid form, so the last stages usually involve these products to give a nice shine, protect the paint and help with drying.
While this does allow for a touchless cleaning process, it still does not remove 100% of the dirt. Properly done hand-washing is going to give you a more complete clean, at the cost of increased time and effort.
I run a car wash with two touchless machines. There are two presoaks. The first is an acid, often Hydrofluoric acid. It is sprayed on and then there is a short time to sit on the car and do its cleaning action. After that, a base (caustic) is applied. There is a reaction of the acid and base (think vinegar and banking soda). This creates a kind of foaming agitation as the base neutralises the acid into a neutral ph. After that sits for a few seconds more. At this point, the chemicals have dissolved and loosened the dirt and then it the car is rinsed under very high pressure. The high pressure rinse is the closest to physical cleaning without actually touching the car.
After that, the optional chemical passes apply kinds of wax, clearcoat protectant, water repellant (like rainx) and a drying agent.
The type of soap is a surfactant. Watch it slowly drag it’s way down your window. It’s pulling dirt with it.
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