I don't drive it much now that winter's here but I took a chance last week and got caught in the rain! Of course now the sides are white.

Will most carwashes accomodate a C4. I'm thinking mainly of the wide tires in the metal tracks.

Anyone with experience to share?

 

I can't speak for all car washes. But the ones around here fit fine. You see that is not the problem, The problem is after you get done with the car wash your car will have fine scratches. The guy that just took out his 4x4 out mudding just went though before you and you get the point? :yesnod:

 

I would recomend AGAINST it!

My car has been lowered, and is a concern to me in car washes.

Also, the car washes around here have "channels" that are used to guide your wheels and tires. They are just high enough that the DO rub the wheel.

Also, since you have a 94, I would avoid any "bottom" wash, as your OPTI could be put in harms way.

ALSO, Avoid the carwashes that use brushes. As mentioned earlier, I have no problems with my 4x4, but don want those same brushes on my Vette.

If you MUST... use brushless car wash only.

I simply wait for a 40 degree day, dress warmly, and use the wands in thier wash bays.

 

PHIL-Tha-Rush,

Love the car with the hardtop and those rims :)

Looking really SHARP!!! :smash:

 

:iagree: What type wheels are those?

 

I'd never take it to a car wash. First of all they won't help you if anything gets damaged, and who ever posted about the fine scratches is absolutely right... Steer clear, and do it yourself!!

Jeff

 

I'm going to go out on a limb and say they are Mallets.... quite pricey too... I think over $2000.00.

They are sweeet though :)

 

If you have to go to wa car wash, at least make it one of those without brushes and you have to use a wand yourself. Those with brushes get mud and sand caked up on cars and have to clean those, what if one of those types was just in before you? I wouldn't trust it..... :nono:

 

thanx for the compliment guy.

yes, they are Malletts... magnesium color.
$500 each + $2000 for a set of 4.
http://www.mallettcars.com

 

First choice would be a bucket and hose.
Second choice would be a do it yourself carwash.
Third would be taking it to a carwash place.

I'm will go against the majority though and say NOT a brushless place "per say". You don't want a place that is completely touchless. The chemicals and pressure they use to get the dirt off your car will strip the wax, and is almost like sandblasting it. Talk about scratches. You don't want a place that the part that touches the car is made of plastic bristles either. More scratching. Find a place that has cloth type brushes. They are kept constantly wet and have a lot less chance of scratching your paint. I know you can't use this place and it's only one of the ones I use, but the info on their site might help you locate a good one. http://www.waterworkscarwash.com/overview.htm

Also, as stated above, make sure that there is no "underbody spray" as it can (and has on mine :mad ) take out an opti. I learned the hard way. :cry Most of the places I use now don't use the underbody on their "basic wash" or are willing to either shut it off, or offer a package to work around it. I basically interview the place I think I'm going to use and then take the "other car" for a test run. If I'm happy with the results, then I'll run the Vette through. After the mods, I've even talked to the owner and I DRIVE it through as I'm concerned with just letting "anyone" drive it with the power/tires wet combination.


[Modified by R94 LT 1, 10:53 PM 12/15/2002]

 

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! :eek:

 

I wouldn't take the chance, but that's just me.. :chevy

 

:iagree: He speaks the truth. The "super soap" or "pre-soak" soaps will eat the wax right off the paint. The regular high pressure soap isn't as bad, but be careful. But here is a big "no-no" for automatic washes..... :nono:

 

Do it Yourself! Never through the automatic wash! Develop a system of your own that works for you. I do mine in the driveway at home. Takes about 30 minutes; longer if I wax. You really need some bonding time with your car. :yesnod:

 

i would never take my car to one of those. fine a hand wash place. those things will scratch your car.

 

:iagree: I bond with mine often. Don't take it to the car wash. I won't even take mine to a carwash that is done by hand. I don't know how the treat their rags, mine never touch the ground and are dried without fabric softener. Nobody does it like it should be done.

 

:iagree:

I've never taken mine 2 a car wash and now that I have the new paint, I would rather do it myself :yesnod:

 

The day after the East coast ice storm I drove my Pewter coupe home from Myrtle Beach SC to Maryland, 463 miles through the salt and slush. It was a sad, ugly sight when it got home and the next day she went straight to the Laser 4000 touchless carwash. There are no channels or ramps to worry about, the chemicals don't appear to affect the polish and in this particular case I believe it was safer than washing by hand. $7 includes a very good undercarriage wash.

 

:nono:

I either wash it at home or take it to the car wash where I can wash it myself. I would never take my Vette to one of those "drive thru" car washes :nonod:

 

Just hook your hose up to your hot water heater and put on heavy rubber gloves and wash away. :yesnod:

I grew up in Chicago, and my dad washed his car everyday, all year round, when he came home from work. If it was cold enough for the water to freeze after he hosed it down, he would pull it into the garage and open the door to the house to let the heat in, and then dry it when the ice melted.