Why Touchless Car Washes Fall Short in Alaska

Alaska’s roads are tough on vehicles. Between road grime, winter chemicals, and everyday dirt, keeping your car clean takes more than a quick rinse. While you may have been told that touchless car washes are better for your car, the reality is that they often don’t deliver the deep clean most vehicles need, especially in Anchorage.

Touchless washes rely mainly on high-pressure water and strong detergents. This approach can remove loose dirt, but it struggles with stubborn buildup like road film, salt residue, bugs, and oily grime that cling to your vehicle’s surface. Without physical contact, much of that residue is left behind.

Express car washes, like Tommy’s Express, use soft cloth and foam materials that gently touch the vehicle to break the bond between dirt and paint. This controlled contact, similar to a careful hand wash, results in a noticeably cleaner finish without damaging modern automotive surfaces.

Because touchless systems lack contact, they often depend on harsher chemicals to compensate. Over time, those chemicals can strip protective waxes and coatings. Express washes combine milder soaps with mechanical action for a more effective and vehicle-friendly clean.

For Anchorage drivers who want consistent results, better shine, and a truly clean car—especially during Alaska’s long winters—an express car wash delivers the difference you can see.