Brush-free cleaning
Only water and detergent touch the paint, and there are no brushes to wear out. Very dirty vehicles may need a pre-soak first.
Touchless
car wash machines.
Brush-free washing with
high-pressure water.
SHINEWASH makes touchless car wash equipment in four models for a single wash bay: K6, K9, dual arm and up-and-down. In the US this format is called an in-bay automatic.
How touchless washing works
The wash program sprays foam and detergent, rinses the car with high-pressure water and finishes with air drying. How clean the car gets depends on the program, the detergent, your water quality and how dirty the vehicle is.
Vehicle detection
Sensors find where the vehicle is and how big it is, and the controller moves the spray to match. K9 measures vehicle width automatically; the up-and-down model follows the vehicle's height.
Programmed operation
Each machine runs its wash programs automatically, and the dual-arm model has four built in. Displays, payment and remote monitoring vary by model, and your quotation lists what yours includes.
Four touchless models
Pick a model by the vehicles you wash and the space you have. Each one needs its own clearance check for your site.
K6 touchless car wash
A starting point for a commercial single bay
- 7-inch customer display
- Three foam modes
- Chassis and wheel cleaning
K9 touchless car wash
Width detection and a lifting spray
- Mirror, front and rear cleaning
- Cross-arm translation
Dual arm touchless car wash
Two robotic spray arms
- Four built-in wash programs
- Remote monitoring
Up-and-down touchless car wash
A spray that rises and falls with the vehicle
- Automatic vehicle positioning
- Chassis and wheel-hub cleaning
The K6 in operation
This clip shows a K6 at work. The other models move their spray differently.
Touchless car wash machine specifications
The figures are for each model's standard configuration. Your quotation gives the final values for the program and options you choose.
| Specification | K6 | K9 | Dual arm | Up-and-down |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machine size (L × W × H) | 7.75 × 3.7 × 3.2 m | 7.75 × 3.7 × 3.2 m | 7.6 × 3.6 × 3.1 m | 8.5 × 4.14 × 3.21 m |
| Installation space | 8 × 4 × 3.3 m | 8 × 4 × 3.3 m | 8 × 4 × 3.1 m | 9 × 4.3 × 3.5 m |
| Largest vehicle (L × W × H) | 6 × 2.6 × 2 m | 6 × 2.6 × 2 m | 6.8 × 2.4 × 2.2 m | 5.5 × 2.4 × 2.3 m |
| Wash time per car | 2–5 min | 2–5 min | 3–8 min | 3–6 min |
| Water per car | 90–140 L (24–37 US gal) | 90–140 L (24–37 US gal) | About 150 L (40 US gal) | 90–140 L (24–37 US gal) |
| Electricity per car | 0.5–0.8 kWh | 0.5–0.8 kWh | 1–1.5 kWh | 0.5–1.0 kWh |
| Foam and water wax per car | 20–150 mL each | 20–150 mL each | 20–150 mL each | 20–150 mL each |
| High-pressure system | 8–10 MPa (1,160–1,450 psi), 15 kW pump | 8–10 MPa (1,160–1,450 psi), 22 kW pump | 2 × Pinfl PT45 pumps | Moving vertical spray, 22 kW pump, 100 kg/cm² (1,420 psi) |
| Drying | 4 × 5.5 kW fans | 4 × 5.5 kW fans | 6 × 5.5 kW blowers | 6 × 5.5 kW fans |
| Power supply | 380 V, 50 Hz | 380 V, 50 Hz | 380 V three-phase, 45 kW | 380 V |
Check the voltage and frequency for your country before you order.
Touchless or brush wash?
Touchless machines clean with water pressure and detergent alone. SHINEWASH rollover and tunnel machines add brushes that touch the vehicle, which helps with heavy dirt.
| What differs | Touchless | Rollover or tunnel with brushes |
|---|---|---|
| How it cleans | Water jets and detergent | Rotating brushes, water and detergent |
| Best for | Regular washes, and owners who want no brush contact | Heavy dirt; a tunnel also handles high daily volumes |
| Plan for | Detergent choice and water quality | Brush material and wear parts |
For brush washing, compare the rollover car wash machines and tunnel car wash systems, or read what a brushless car wash is and how tunnels and rollovers differ.
What the wash bay needs
Before choosing a model, measure your site and the largest vehicle you plan to wash, and include both in your enquiry. As a guide, K6 and the dual-arm machine need about 8 × 4 m of floor space and a 380 V supply.
SHINEWASH can also supply the car wash payment system and a custom car wash building for the site.
Discuss my site layout- Vehicle sizeLength, width and height of your largest vehicle, including mirrors and roof racks.
- Bay layoutRoom for the machine to travel, plus space to drive in, stop, leave and reach the equipment for service.
- Water and detergentWater pressure, flow and quality, detergent dosing and safe chemical storage. Where water is scarce, add a car wash water recycling system.
- Drainage and powerA drainage route, and enough electrical capacity for the pumps and drying fans.
K6 Plus machines packed for shipmentTouchless projects in 12 countries
The case library has 16 of them, including projects in the United States, Brazil, Italy, Japan and Kuwait. These six use the current K6 and K9 models:
- Two K6 Plus machines for the United States
- K9 for the United States
- K6 for Brazil
- K6 for Chile
- K9 for Italy
- K9 for Costa Rica
Questions about
touchless machines
Common questions about cleaning results, space, water use and power.
How does a touchless car wash machine clean a vehicle?
The program sprays foam and detergent to loosen the dirt, then rinses it off with high-pressure water and dries the car with air. On K6 the program also applies water wax. Detergent choice and water quality affect the result.
Do touchless car washes clean as well as brush washes?
They clean with detergent and water pressure only, which suits regular washes. Heavy mud or road film may need a pre-soak, or a brush machine such as a rollover or tunnel.
Which touchless model should I choose?
Start from your largest vehicle, the bay you have and how many cars you expect to wash a day. K6 is the starting point for a commercial single bay. K9 has automatic width detection and a lifting spray, the dual-arm machine has two robotic spray arms, and the up-and-down model raises and lowers its spray with the vehicle's height. Put those details in your enquiry and the SHINEWASH team will suggest a model.
Can touchless equipment wash every vehicle?
No. K6 and K9 take vehicles up to 6 × 2.6 × 2 m, the dual-arm machine up to 6.8 × 2.4 × 2.2 m and the up-and-down model up to 5.5 × 2.4 × 2.3 m (length × width × height). Measure your largest vehicles, including mirrors and roof racks, before you order.
How much installation space is needed?
K6 and K9 need an installation space of about 8 × 4 × 3.3 m, the dual-arm machine 8 × 4 × 3.1 m and the up-and-down model 9 × 4.3 × 3.5 m. Working clearances are fixed on the final layout drawing, so include your bay's usable length, width and height, the approach and exit routes, and a sketch in your enquiry.
How long does a touchless car wash take?
A K6 or K9 wash takes 2 to 5 minutes per car, an up-and-down wash 3 to 6 minutes and a dual-arm wash 3 to 8 minutes, depending on the program.
How much water does a touchless car wash machine use?
K6, K9 and the up-and-down model use 90 to 140 litres (about 24 to 37 US gallons) per car, and the dual-arm machine about 150 litres (40 US gallons), depending on the program. A car wash water recycling system can supply treated water to the wash stages that accept it.
What water and chemical supply should I prepare?
Plan a water supply with enough pressure and flow, and safe storage for detergent. Include your water source and quality in the enquiry, because they affect the detergent settings.
What electrical supply does a touchless machine need?
K6 and K9 are listed for 380 V at 50 Hz, the up-and-down model for 380 V, and the dual-arm machine for 380 V three-phase with 45 kW. Check the voltage, frequency and total power for your country before you order.
Can payment and remote-control options be included?
Yes. The options vary by model and include payment, customer displays and remote monitoring. The SHINEWASH car wash payment system includes payment kiosks.
What information is needed for a touchless quotation?
Your country, the model you prefer, your bay dimensions, the vehicles you will wash and how many a day. Water, drainage and power details help if you have them. Say whether you need installation, training or ongoing support as well.
Guides for planning a touchless car wash
- How Much Does A Touchless Car Wash Cost To Build?Building costs, and how touchless washing compares with a regular car wash.
- Brushless Carwash: The Future of Car Wash BusinessHow brushless washing works, and where it falls short on heavily soiled vehicles.
- The Ultimate Guide to Automatic Car Wash: Benefits, Types, and How It WorksThe main types of automatic car wash and how each one works.