
No, ZIPS Car Wash is not a touchless system. It is a soft-touch friction wash that uses cloth materials like wraps and mitters to clean your vehicle's surface. For many drivers, this method provides a superior and more consistent clean compared to touchless alternatives, especially for removing stuck-on grime.
The primary difference lies in the cleaning technology. A touchless car wash relies solely on high-pressure water jets and potent, acidic chemicals to blast away dirt without any physical contact. While this eliminates the risk of scratches from brushes, it can sometimes be less effective on heavy soil and may leave behind chemical residues. In contrast, ZIPS's soft-touch system uses gentle, computer-controlled cloth materials that glide over the vehicle's contours. The physical agitation, combined with high-quality, pH-neutral soaps, is highly effective at dislodging dirt, road salt, and light contaminants.
ZIPS mitigates the traditional fear of scratches associated with "brush" washes through its modern technology. The materials are designed to be soft and are meticulously maintained to prevent any grit or debris from being trapped. For the average vehicle with standard clear-coat paint, the risk of swirl marks is minimal with proper wash tunnel maintenance. Ultimately, the choice depends on your car's condition and your priorities. If you drive a brand-new luxury car or a vehicle with a fragile matte-finish wrap, a touchless wash might be the safer choice for absolute peace of mind. However, for most daily drivers, ZIPS's soft-touch system offers a more thorough clean that many find satisfactory.
Touchless vs. ZIPS Soft-Touch: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Touchless Car Wash | ZIPS Car Wash (Soft-Touch) |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Method | High-pressure chemicals and water | Gentle, computer-controlled cloth materials |
| Physical Contact | None | Yes, with soft cloth wraps and mitters |
| Cleaning Effectiveness | Good for light dust; can struggle with heavy grime | Generally more effective on stuck-on dirt and road film |
| Risk of Scratches | Virtually zero | Low, provided the facility maintains its equipment properly |
| Best For | New, delicate paints, or vehicles with existing swirls | Most daily drivers seeking a comprehensive, hands-off clean |

I specifically seek out ZIPS because it's not touchless. My SUV is covered in muddy spray from country roads every week. A touchless wash just doesn't cut it; the dirt just gets rearranged. The soft cloth at ZIPS actually scrubs, leaving the car genuinely clean. I've never noticed any scratches, and the finish looks great. For a real clean, you need a little friction.

As someone who's meticulous about my car's black paint, I was hesitant. But after trying it, ZIPS does a fantastic job. It’s a soft-touch system, meaning it uses cloth, not stiff brushes. The key is that the materials are clean and well-maintained. It gives me a much deeper clean than the touchless bay I used to frequent, which often left water spots and a film. For a maintained vehicle, it's a great option.


