Car wash
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Mine's never been through a carwash -
I hand wash it, dry it with air (and finish with cotton towel) and normally wax it....
I tend to be more concerned about the car wash drying it with towels that have been thrown on the ground and have grit and dirt in them than the actual wash...
I really enjoy washing mine myself.
I hand wash it, dry it with air (and finish with cotton towel) and normally wax it....
I tend to be more concerned about the car wash drying it with towels that have been thrown on the ground and have grit and dirt in them than the actual wash...
I really enjoy washing mine myself.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 230
Likes: 16
From: Edmond, Oklahoma
This can happen if you go through an automatic
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/DSCN5480.jpg
http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/z...s/DSCN5480.jpg
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From: Long Island/Pompano Beach
Never and automatic wash but a hand wash in the winter yes. The only concern would be the tractor belt but since I am stock height there is no problem.
And that clip by Alex is lol funny.
And that clip by Alex is lol funny.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Warminster PA
NO! I used to work at a Lexus/BMW/Nissan Dealership. For years we handwashed vehicles. When they installed a 2.5 million dollar state of the art automatic wash system customers complained constantly of missed spots (no scratches that I'm aware of). But the thought of something abrasive touching my vette that has touched several thousand other cars prior vs. my own personal wash mitt... no contest.
Last edited by SlvrMN6; Mar 16, 2010 at 10:18 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
If my car wasn't black, and in a pinch, might think of it - but no way in a black 'vette. Was getting my TrailBlazer washed at the local car wash a while ago. Was surprised to see a black C6 roadster waiting in line. Would have loved to have seen how it turned out but had to leave.
My previous Vette was a black DD C4 which I bought in very nice condition with 85K on it. I never babied it, but liked to keep it clean and so frequently ran it through an automatic wash during the winter. The result was a gradual deterioration in the quality of the black finish that would have required a better detailer than me to fix (assuming it was fixable). My current car is silver which hides everything -- but it will not go through a car wash. I hand wash it when possible or invest in a few quarters for the self-serve spray wash when it is too cold.
and no, I don't.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,050
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles CA
I did once when I first got it. Out here in LA there are a couple that aren't so bad. The one I went to I've seen Bentlys, high end Benzs, Maseratis, etc go through it. But it was basically used as a rinse wash and then the next 15 minutes was hand washed. Barely anything in that was touched the car it self. It was also made lower then most so lower riding cars can get through.
Shortly after using them though I had the vette lowered and also my vinyl stripes were added. So it never went through the automatic washes again.
Oh, and mine is a daily driver here in Los Angeles. I get more scratches on the car in a week of driving and parking around here then I would going through the wash. So I'm not worried. I can see where if someone has a show car and doesn't want to use them then by all means dont. I wouldn't if my car was a show car too.
Shortly after using them though I had the vette lowered and also my vinyl stripes were added. So it never went through the automatic washes again.
Oh, and mine is a daily driver here in Los Angeles. I get more scratches on the car in a week of driving and parking around here then I would going through the wash. So I'm not worried. I can see where if someone has a show car and doesn't want to use them then by all means dont. I wouldn't if my car was a show car too.
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I've taken it through a self service car wash before, but never an automatic one. Not sure the wheels will fit through the tracks and the car sits too low IMO to safely go through the wash.
