the owner's manual notes that high-acid soaps should not be used, but I've been reading that that is what most in-bay touchless operations use. I'm not willing to go through a regular car wash.

Does anyone know if any of the touchless washes use soap that is not very damaging to the paint?

 

I would just use a high pressure hose (i.e. pressure washer) to rinse off the salt - which usually does not require any effort and comes off with a simple rinse.

 

JMZ, for winter cleaning you might want to look at QEW, which is a rinseless car wash. It was recommended by a fellow member and detailing professional (Kevin - Picus112). I haven't used it yet, but have a bottle of it on order and should be getting it this week.

Below is a couple of links that may help.

http://www.eshine.ca/proddetail.php?prod=QEW
http://autopia.org/forum/detailing-p...?highlight=qew

 

Shane, please post your thoughts on this product once you tried it, since we have water restrictions from time to time, I'd like to know how it works! I used a self serve was this week, just used the spot free water for the entire was, next wash I need to wax my car, hope it's not too long before a good wash day!

 

Absolutely Tom, I will definitely let you know what I think of the QEW. With water restrictions where you live, QEW might be a good solution for you.

 

JMZ, the 1st thing I would do is strip the wax and Zaino it to get a protective coating on it. Soap will not strip Zaino like it does wax.

I would not run a Black Obsidian thru any kind of carwash. That paint is so soft it will swirl if you look at it wrong.

Hand wash it.

 

My favorite color is black, but I decided after 5 black cars in a row to finally try something different because its so difficult to avoid swirl marks. While I like my new color (blue slate), I kick myself when I look at the pics you've posted. btw- much better avatar!