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i can't wait to hear the response I get to this one but, I send my cars down a full service automatic car wash. My '14 Z51 went down the rack just fine. Will my 15 z06 or are people discovering the tires to be too wide or car too low? Not looking for the flaming from those of you that think your car is a collectors item and would never use a car wash. It isn't.
Mark
Last edited by commander112; 01-07-2016 at 11:05 AM.
The Z's tires are wider and could be too much for that track and if they do fit, I'd bet the clearance would be so small that the smallest deviation would scratch the wheels. I don't know if there's an industry standard track on carwashes -- so, it's possible they're all slightly different too..
You also need to worry about front/side clearances on a Stage 2/3 Z vs a Z51 (unless you've got effects on that).
While your mileage may vary, I personally wouldn't send a Z down an auto-car wash for more than just wheel/tire width reasons. I've been told previously (not confirmed) that the solvents in the cleaning solution used might be a little harsh to help clean w/o physical contact.
The car wash I use for my '12GS uses custom soaps that aren't overly abrasive on the car and the people washing. I say that because while I do drive mine on beaches, through snow/ice, in the rain, dirt roads, etc.. I don't want an overly strong compound used that's just going to prematurely strip the clearcoat down... Plus.. The car washes I have around me are just junk. Always dirty and half broken. Clumps of debris and mud in the stalls (even the auto) and I can't validate the kinds of liquids they're using on the car and I don't want plastics or such to get discolored or messed up.
I had that issue with an auto-wash with my 5th Gen Camaro.. It had something messed up in the mix and it left my car with something that looked like waterspots all over the car that took a professional detailer to buff out.
Took my Velocity Yellow C6Z through one frequently. Would never take a dark color through, at least not a dark Corvette. If I bought a white or silver car and it came with the optional "Always Clean" option for $600 I'd take it. That's what I psychologically think of as the 100 x $6 car washes it'd get.
Also fit, but just barely, with slightly wider than neeed drag radials (335 maybe?).
Thing is you won't know when you're done. You'll only know after a season of using it (unless it were brutally bad). Once it fits or doesn't you need to cumulative effects of many washes to make a decision on how much work it's going to add to your paint maintenance, or how much life it'll take off your paint.
I found that I can't take my 95 ZR-1 through the local car wash due to the width of the tracks. My tires are 335s and they are about 13.5" wide; the rails were about 11 inches wide last time I checked (admittedly, several years ago; they may be wider now). So I go to a local hand wash that charges just about the same amount as the auto wash.--Bob
Always get a laugh on these threads. Good Lord--it is just a Chevy with a lot of OP in the paint. Where I go they run a lot of high dollars machines through 250k plus--saw the new Bentley sport with the ugly green leather trim 2 weeks ago go through anyway I digress. Make sure the track of the CW has the protectors on the inside of the rails and make sure the plastic splitter does not drag if you have one. Mine is being taken off but not because of that. There are lots of these cars where I live so I was not the test case for the car.
That being said---make darn sure the car will fit before letting it go through! Having mine repainted or rather new clear sprayed (long story) will not be able to wax or seal it for another 2 weeks to complete the outgassing of the clear but I wax my car once a month with paste carnauba. Very important to keep the tiny fine swirls out of the paint..
This is the biggest thing to remember-----I do not let anyone wipe down the paint! The air dryer gets most of it off and they do wipe the glass and wheels. Never know what is on the micro fiber towels they use. Have seen them dropped on the ground then picked up and used again....
The last time I saw a car wash with tracks must have been in the previous century.
Around here, the auto car washes are all touchless and trackless. You drive in until the lights tell you where to stop and when you are done and can proceed. My wife uses one all of the time on the caddys and her vette, and has been for years without any damage. She always opts out of the wax option, so as to not screw up the shine we've put on the cars.
I usually don't with my 2, but I did use one on Route 11 in Carlisle, PA during Corvettes at Carlisle weekend.
The last time I saw a car wash with tracks must have been in the previous century.
Around here, the auto car washes are all touchless and trackless. You drive in until the lights tell you where to stop and when you are done and can proceed. My wife uses one all of the time on the caddys and her vette, and has been for years without any damage. She always opts out of the wax option, so as to not screw up the shine we've put on the cars.
I usually don't with my 2, but I did use one on Route 11 in Carlisle, PA during Corvettes at Carlisle weekend.
Yes we have those kind here as well but they are at the gas stations where space is limited.
I drive thru at least twice a week. No swirls as of yet. These guys use some "space age" foam brushes supposedly. Drove thru 1 day after hood decal was placed, no damage. The rear spoiler did pluck a foam bristle once when caught between the wicker.
All is well. Just ran it though. The car wash I use has multiple locations and I went to the one that I knew had a rail upgrade a couple years ago. They track is 14" wide and will accept a z06. Like one of the other comments from above. We have some serious high dollar rides that go through this wash daily. As long as the Z06 could work with the track I am OK with the wash.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
My 96 LT4 has 315/35ZR17 rear tires, and it would not fit most of the car washes. It fit on the car wash near the NCM in Bowling Green, but it was so tight that there was NOTHING to spare.
No way the C6 Z06 or C7 Z06 would fit on any of those railed car washes.
was hanging in my BEAST when delivered.. I never do but you do what you feel you are comfortable with..
and on Page 23 of owners manual:
Caution!
Some automatic car washes can
cause damage to the vehicle,
wheels, or convertible top,
if equipped. Automatic car
washes are not recommended,
due to lack of clearance for the
undercarriage and/or wide rear
tires and wheels. See "Washing
the Vehicle" under Exterior Care
page 288
I use these for all my cars, i.e. Ferrari, Bentley, Z 06, etc., and seldom have to wait - why? There are "busy" and "slow" times at these places. Take a drive by at various times and find your "window". Safest, easiest, least expensive, and often I get reception and can listen to music in the meantime. Best
Originally Posted by Busa Dave
Yes we have those kind here as well but they are at the gas stations where space is limited.
I have a detailer come to my house every other week. He washes and waxes it and does the inside also. There is so much wax on mine that during the week I can go through the automatic touch less car washes and it comes out perfect. I just keep some microfiber towels with me and wipe it dry. The key is to keep enough wax/sealant on it..
01-07-2016, 11:04 AM
Auto Car Wash...
