Carwash?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
I never take mine to a car wash, I might take it to one of those do it yourself washes with the wand and dry it on the spot, Never take it through a drive through, Maybe you can find a hand wash place, The vettes are low and the tire guides will hit the air dam. Instead of writing on the forun go and wash it your self.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Wesley Chapel FL
My vote is wait until you have time to do it by hand using the two bucket method. Just browse some of these paint correction threads for convincing. Plus the wheels might get dinged up with those guides.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Lapeer Michigan
I found that even the foaming brush at the "do-it-yourself" washes can be too hard on our paint and leaves brush marks behind that need to be buffed out. I'm going to be sticking to washing the car in my driveway with a bucket of meguiars wax/wash and a soft towel mit.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Warminster PA
I never take mine to a car wash, I might take it to one of those do it yourself washes with the wand and dry it on the spot, Never take it through a drive through, Maybe you can find a hand wash place, The vettes are low and the tire guides will hit the air dam. Instead of writing on the forun go and wash it your self.
Thanks
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,021
Likes: 133
From: Conejo Valley CA
I think your question here is how would the car do at one of those "hand wash" places.
The "hand wash" places I have seen typically have a crew of workers that do different parts of the wash as the car rolls down a track driven system... kinda like an assembly line. Its the track you need to worry about. If the car has been lowered, forget it. Even not lowered, because the C5 is inherently low to the ground, I would be a little wary... you can always ask the attendant who greets you but do they really know the answer? I guess the safest bet is to find out if other C5's have been to the car wash place and assuming your car is not lowred, you're probably going to be all right. Ultimately though, in my opinion, the best wash comes when you do it yourself... but yes, it takes a lot of time. I spend over 2 hours doing mine every other week.
The "hand wash" places I have seen typically have a crew of workers that do different parts of the wash as the car rolls down a track driven system... kinda like an assembly line. Its the track you need to worry about. If the car has been lowered, forget it. Even not lowered, because the C5 is inherently low to the ground, I would be a little wary... you can always ask the attendant who greets you but do they really know the answer? I guess the safest bet is to find out if other C5's have been to the car wash place and assuming your car is not lowred, you're probably going to be all right. Ultimately though, in my opinion, the best wash comes when you do it yourself... but yes, it takes a lot of time. I spend over 2 hours doing mine every other week.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 723
Likes: 3
From: pittsburgh pa
always hear people on this site saying a car wash are you kidding me!!!
there is a local car wash that is one of those laser washes. no brushes and it even blow drys the car after the wash. so you don't have to take car for 100 mph drive to dry it.
i take care of my car very well i think. i try to wash it by hand always. but there are times when i need a wash and no time so i head to the laser wash. 10 bucks wash and dry. people will flame you for useing a car wash. i seen a 911 carrera, a bmw 7 series and a new c6 waiting to use the car wash it is only a car people. no brushes you will be fine.
there is a local car wash that is one of those laser washes. no brushes and it even blow drys the car after the wash. so you don't have to take car for 100 mph drive to dry it. i take care of my car very well i think. i try to wash it by hand always. but there are times when i need a wash and no time so i head to the laser wash. 10 bucks wash and dry. people will flame you for useing a car wash. i seen a 911 carrera, a bmw 7 series and a new c6 waiting to use the car wash it is only a car people. no brushes you will be fine.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 2
From: Plano Texas
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
.....Anytime I wash any of my black rides I have to dry it IMMEDIATELY or suffer those dreaded water spots....Not to mention even a short drive with the car still wet attracts all kinds of dust to it, which basically turns into very fine SANDPAPER when you start drying it off
