Which is better, a hand car wash or touchless car wash?

When it comes down to detailing the exterior of your car, it’s all in how you wash it. But how SHOULD you wash it? Is driving through a touchless car wash OK, or should you be buying supplies to give your car a hand car wash when it needs to be cleaned? The expert auto service techs at Toyota of Orlando are here to explain the differences between hand car washes and touchless car washes and help you decide which is best for your car.

Toyota of Orlando breaks down the different types of car washes

Let’s break down the differences between the two:

A hand car wash is just what it sounds like – you wash your Orlando Toyota by hand with special detailing tools that you can find at our parts store. You’ll use sponges, special soap, microfiber rags, etc. to get the car clean and also dry it by hand at the end to avoid water spots on the glass and paint as it dries.

A touchless car wash is also just what it sounds like – no hand washing. These are the drive-through car washes that are automatic and mechanized. You drive into one, park, and let the machine do its thing. At the end, it’ll blow air over your vehicle to push water off and hopefully dry it without water spots.

So which is right for your Toyota – a hand car wash or a touchless car wash? Here are the pros and cons of each.

Pros and cons of hand car washes and touchless car washes

Hand car wash pros: When you wash your Orlando Toyota by hand, you definitely have complete control over the situation. You get to decide which products you use, how long you take when you wash it, and whether or not you repeat steps for an extra-clean finish. You’ll also be able to pay more attention to small cracks and crevices, dried on bugs or bird poop, and the undercarriage of your car – all things that may not be covered in a touchless car wash. Plus, it’s cheaper. Your main investment will be buying the supplies upfront and then your time.

Hand car wash cons: There are a few cons. There’s always the risk of damage to your car’s paint if you hand wash it improperly – dirty sponges and rags can cause tiny scratches, the wrong products can cause damage, etc. Additionally, if you pay someone to hand wash your car, it can get pretty costly.

Touchless car wash pros: Touchless car washes are convenient, for starters. You can sit back, relax, and let the machine take care of the work in just minutes. If you don’t have time to detail your own car, they’re a godsend. They’re also gentler on the paint because you’re not scrubbing it by hand, and are usually pretty affordable, especially if you buy a package of them or a membership.

Touchless car wash cons: While touchless car washes are gentler on your car’s paint, you might also get the other side of the coin where your car isn’t quite as clean as you’d like it. Plus, sometimes the air dryer doesn’t cut it and you end up with annoying water spots on your paint.

So which is best for you? It really just depends on your time and your personal preference. A mix of both is probably best, but it’s completely up to you. And Toyota of Orlando can help! We have a touchless car wash on site that we can run your car through if you’re in a hurry, and we also have a Toyota parts store full of detailing supplies so you can hand wash your car when you want to. Visit us today – we’re just off I-4 near the Millenia Mall at 3575 Vineland Road!

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