I use the touch-less wash during the cold months and then by hand during the rest of the year. As someone else noted, I will use the self serve bay to apply soap and scrub any heavily soiled areas and then finish with the touch-less.
When washing at home by hand, I utilize two buckets to help rinse any sand or grime off the brush or wash sponge prior to going into the soap bucket and back on the car.
One of my prior explorers was burgundy and after taking it through the regular car wash in addition to the window guard getting ripped off, I noticed swirl marks in the clear coat that I eventually had to have buffed out. IMO these washes are great for ordinary folks who either don't have the time or aren't as **** about maintaining the appearance of their vehicle. I'm sure there are some great brushed car washes out there, but due to my experience, I will stick to my methods.