Too Low?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
Too Low?
So I went to the car wash to get my vette cleaned and I was turned away. They said that corvettes are too low and that the front air damn could get ripped off. FYI- my vette is stock ride height.....
That was a new one that opened up near my house and I have yet to try one of the others on my short list.
I only go to the car wash when it is below 50 out- anybody else have a problem?
That was a new one that opened up near my house and I have yet to try one of the others on my short list.
I only go to the car wash when it is below 50 out- anybody else have a problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I always wash it by hand so I never have this problem, but I could see a place that has prior problems with vettes denying a vette now.
I would just look for another place that you might have seen other vettes using.
Also I would think it would be hard to rip off the front air dam while moving forward. It is meant to bend so if it flexed during the cleaning it should be ok.
I would just look for another place that you might have seen other vettes using.
Also I would think it would be hard to rip off the front air dam while moving forward. It is meant to bend so if it flexed during the cleaning it should be ok.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 0
From: Just a little outside San Antonio, Texas
Before the crowd shows up and tried to rip you a new one for using an automatic carwash, let me say "I understand!" Using an auto carwash is better than not washing the car at all, particularly on daily drivers during the winter months (road grime, salt/sand deicing compounds on the roads, etc.). Where I live in NoVA, auto carwashes are pretty common; it's the hand wash (power wash) places that are rare. There's only one that I know of (in Woodbridge) which is about a 1/2 hour drive from my home.
It is very likely that your Vette, even at stock height, may be too low. The guide rails at some of these places can be pretty high because of the tire heights on some of the SUVs out there. You might also find that the tires are too WIDE for some of the guiderail tracks as well. It's better to be safe. If the autowash suggests NOT taking your Vette through their carwash, I'd move on to another location.
Just my $.02 worth!
It is very likely that your Vette, even at stock height, may be too low. The guide rails at some of these places can be pretty high because of the tire heights on some of the SUVs out there. You might also find that the tires are too WIDE for some of the guiderail tracks as well. It's better to be safe. If the autowash suggests NOT taking your Vette through their carwash, I'd move on to another location.
Just my $.02 worth!
Last edited by ArmyVette; Feb 22, 2005 at 09:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I understand the problem with washing the car when it's cold - but an automatic car wash.....WTF? 
I hope it's at least brushless...... 
I hope it's at least brushless......
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 18,401
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From: Retired but working
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Use a bucket of warm water from the kitchen tap and wash it by hand. I have an aluminum tube about 5 feet long with about a 30 degree bend that I attach to my hose with a pressure nozzle at the end to spray up under the car all over to get the road crap off.
Had it up on the lift at the base auto-hobby shop the other day and it really gets it clean.
Not saying that I wash it when its cold, but when cold water from the hose steams cause the air is colder than it is welllllll!!!
If ice don't form, it's warm enough to was the Vette.
Had it up on the lift at the base auto-hobby shop the other day and it really gets it clean.
Not saying that I wash it when its cold, but when cold water from the hose steams cause the air is colder than it is welllllll!!!
If ice don't form, it's warm enough to was the Vette.
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Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Originally Posted by Benpup
Use a bucket of warm water from the kitchen tap and wash it by hand. I have an aluminum tube about 5 feet long with about a 30 degree bend that I attach to my hose with a pressure nozzle at the end to spray up under the car all over to get the road crap off.
Had it up on the lift at the base auto-hobby shop the other day and it really gets it clean.
Not saying that I wash it when its cold, but when cold water from the hose steams cause the air is colder than it is welllllll!!!
If ice don't form, it's warm enough to was the Vette.
Had it up on the lift at the base auto-hobby shop the other day and it really gets it clean.
Not saying that I wash it when its cold, but when cold water from the hose steams cause the air is colder than it is welllllll!!!
If ice don't form, it's warm enough to was the Vette.
If you use hot water, you actually warm up sticking your hand in the wash water. Guys, it really just ain't that bad.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,567
Likes: 0
From: Hickory, NC
Your tires are likely too wide also.
Thats good, because you shouldn't take a vette through an automatic car wash anyway.
Sure a touchless robot running around your vette during the winter to get the gunk-off will not hurt anything, just keep the brushes away and do not upgrade to the super-wax-clear-coat finish.
Thats good, because you shouldn't take a vette through an automatic car wash anyway.
Sure a touchless robot running around your vette during the winter to get the gunk-off will not hurt anything, just keep the brushes away and do not upgrade to the super-wax-clear-coat finish.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,799
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From: Lake Ridge VA
Originally Posted by ArmyVette
There's only one that I know of (in Woodbridge) which is about a 1/2 hour drive from my home.
Before you jump on me about stereotyping, my brother is a senior at Woodbridge High School (as I once was)...and I've met plenty of his friends. He would stand by my assessment.
Last edited by AdamC5; Feb 22, 2005 at 11:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
Of course it was brushless- I had washed it by hand the last two weekends and this past weekend it was just to cold and the weather was unpredictable here in NoVA. But with all that being said I am now terrified of taking it through an automatic wash- even if I just get turned away again the shame is too great. I will just use the warm water method.
Different subject- what does everyone use to DRY the vette after a wash- I have three options but have only used one- I Have a real lambs skin chamois which I only use on the wheels- and I have a man made one called "The Absorber" which I use on the body.
I have found the Absorber leaves no residue where the Lamb Skin seems to leave some even when brand new.
I also have the water blade to just push the water off- but prefer not to do this.....
Different subject- what does everyone use to DRY the vette after a wash- I have three options but have only used one- I Have a real lambs skin chamois which I only use on the wheels- and I have a man made one called "The Absorber" which I use on the body.
I have found the Absorber leaves no residue where the Lamb Skin seems to leave some even when brand new.
I also have the water blade to just push the water off- but prefer not to do this.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
I attempted to go to a cleaner/detailer in Manassas, VA. They told me the same, C5's sit too low.
I checked into a sparkly dark blue Mustang GT with chrome wheels and the works. When I looked a little closer, I saw water marks and streaks GALORE!!!
I decided then and there that I wasn't missing anything! It's a labor of love best left up to us.
I checked into a sparkly dark blue Mustang GT with chrome wheels and the works. When I looked a little closer, I saw water marks and streaks GALORE!!!
I decided then and there that I wasn't missing anything! It's a labor of love best left up to us.
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
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From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by epicshooter
Different subject- what does everyone use to DRY the vette after a wash- I have three options but have only used one- I Have a real lambs skin chamois which I only use on the wheels- and I have a man made one called "The Absorber" which I use on the body.
I have found the Absorber leaves no residue where the Lamb Skin seems to leave some even when brand new.
I also have the water blade to just push the water off- but prefer not to do this.....
I have found the Absorber leaves no residue where the Lamb Skin seems to leave some even when brand new.
I also have the water blade to just push the water off- but prefer not to do this.....
EG
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,651
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From: HOW FAST WAS I GOING OFFICER? Los Angeles Hating GM Dealership Service Dept.'s Since Sept. 2004
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Went thru a touchless wash ... water jets only, no scrubbing, etc (HAD TO) ... NEVER AGAIN 
Ssssssscrape!
Ssssssscrape!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Originally Posted by AdamC5
I live in Woodbridge (when I'm not at VT that is). I wouldn't recommend this place. Sure, they look professional and all, but they employ local high schoolers/community college students. Personally, I wouldn't trust anyone still in high school to clean and detail my car.
Before you jump on me about stereotyping, my brother is a senior at Woodbridge High School (as I once was)...and I've met plenty of his friends. He would stand by my assessment.
Before you jump on me about stereotyping, my brother is a senior at Woodbridge High School (as I once was)...and I've met plenty of his friends. He would stand by my assessment.
still say your comment is
... but you're probably right.if it's a wash yourself place .. where do other people come into the equation?