Washing Your Luxury Car: Hand Car Wash vs. Touchless Car Wash

Soapy sponge on a car

When you own a luxury car, you want to keep it looking its best. Regular car washes not only rejuvenate the look of your car, but also help to preserve its exterior paint. So, whether your car has been kicking up dust on Virginia roads, or has been exposed to a lot of rain showers, a good hand wash car wash or touchless car wash can restore it to its former self. What's the difference between hand and touchless car washes? We're here to explain! Learn more about both methods below, courtesy of our group service teams


Hand Wash Car Wash: Facts You Should Know  

If your car needs a thorough cleaning, a hand car wash is the best bet, especially as you can do it yourself at home. Or, you can rely on the expert hand wash car wash services at Sterling Motorcars, where we treat our customers' cars as if they were our own. Before you make a decision, though, consider the pros and cons of hand washing: 

Hand Car Wash: Benefits 

  • Comprehensive Clean: If done correctly, a hand car wash results in a more thorough clean, as you can reach small, hidden areas that might be missed by a hands-free car wash. For example, you can reach the undercarriage or the crevices of the windshield and headlights/taillights. 
  • Cost-Effective: Naturally, washing your car at home is cheaper than paying to have someone else wash it for you. 

Hand Car Wash: Drawbacks 

  • Specialty Facilities Are More Expensive: Again, you'll pay more to get your car washed at a dealership or specialty facility. But, if you simply don't have the time or space to wash your car yourself, then it's probably worth the cost. 
  • Paint Damage is a Possibility: While it's not guaranteed to happen, paint damage can occur if you wash your car too much or if you use unsuitable tools. 

Touchless Car Wash: Facts You Should Know  

Touchless car washes are also known as hands-free car washes; they're automatic, mechanized car washes you can drive through as they clean your car. Generally, automatic car washes are less expensive than hand washing services at a dealership or specialty facility, and they offer their own benefits and potential drawbacks: 

Hands Free Car Wash: Benefits 

  • Fast & Easy: Touchless car washes are built to be speedy and efficient. This means they can clean your car in about 10 minutes or less. 
  • Gentle on Exterior Paint: These types of car washes are designed to be gentle on exterior car paint to help prevent scratching and damage. 
  • Low Cost: Of course, touchless car washes don't involve any labor, so prices are much more affordable. 

Hands Free Car Wash: Drawbacks 

  • Result Might Be Unsatisfying: Again, touchless car washes are designed to be gentle on car paint, so stubborn stuck-on debris may still be present even after the wash is complete. 
  • Water Spots: Air dryers are usually activated at the end of a hands-free car wash. They help remove water droplets, but they're not always 100% effective. Your car may end up with water spots. 

Get a Thorough Hand Car Wash at Sterling Motorcars!

If you're searching for professional car wash services in Sterling, VA and beyond, you needn't look any further than Sterling Motorcars. Bring your luxury vehicle to one of our locations and we'll treat it to a comprehensive hand car wash. Contact us online to schedule an appointment, or to learn more about any of our auto care services.