C5 Car Care Help
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Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Avon Lake OH
C5 Car Care Help
New '02 C5 owner here. Is it wise to run C5 thru automated brushless car wash? Some car washers have an under carriage rinse. It is smart to do that?
Also, is the Absorber the best to use to wipe car down after wash? Is there something better?
And any particular car washes, wheel & tire cleaning products that are better than others? There's just so many to choose from.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Also, is the Absorber the best to use to wipe car down after wash? Is there something better?
And any particular car washes, wheel & tire cleaning products that are better than others? There's just so many to choose from.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
Running your Vette through a carwash would not be smart. ALWAYS wash your Vette by hand, or have someone else wash it by hand if you can't.
Many use a leaf blower to blow off water after a wash and a shammy or microfiber towel to finish the drying.
Meguiar's and Adams seem to be two of the top brands, as are Zaino and Invisible Glass.
Go to Autogeek.com, Meguiars.com, and/or Adams.com to watch their tutorial videos.
I would suggest you strip your wax using Dawn, do a clay bar detail cleaning, and follow this with a good polish & wax.
Many use a leaf blower to blow off water after a wash and a shammy or microfiber towel to finish the drying.
Meguiar's and Adams seem to be two of the top brands, as are Zaino and Invisible Glass.
Go to Autogeek.com, Meguiars.com, and/or Adams.com to watch their tutorial videos.
I would suggest you strip your wax using Dawn, do a clay bar detail cleaning, and follow this with a good polish & wax.
Last edited by Corvette_Ed; May 28, 2012 at 11:11 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Waldorf MD
I agree, never use a brush car wash, it's tracks can cause problems too.
There are brushless car washers that have an under carriage washer, you can use those.
I use microfiber cloths to dry after using a water blade.
I find Meguiers "All Wheels" wheel cleaner works well and their "Endurance" tire dressing lasts a long time and is easy to apply.
Oh, and California type (wax coated) dusters are great to use between washes to keep the car looking good. I use 3 of them: one for body, a "Dash One" for interior, and another "Dash One" for the wheels.
There are brushless car washers that have an under carriage washer, you can use those.
I use microfiber cloths to dry after using a water blade.
I find Meguiers "All Wheels" wheel cleaner works well and their "Endurance" tire dressing lasts a long time and is easy to apply.
Oh, and California type (wax coated) dusters are great to use between washes to keep the car looking good. I use 3 of them: one for body, a "Dash One" for interior, and another "Dash One" for the wheels.
Last edited by Oldvetter; May 28, 2012 at 11:29 AM.
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I have never run my car through an automatic car wash - I either wash it by hand or use a self serve car wash that has a wand type sprayer - it's good for cleaning wheel wells and the undercarriage.
I use an Absorber to wipe my car down - does a good job and has not had any ill effects on the paint. Just keep it clean is all.
I do use a California Duster on mine in between washes to keep the dust off the finish.
I use an Absorber to wipe my car down - does a good job and has not had any ill effects on the paint. Just keep it clean is all.
I do use a California Duster on mine in between washes to keep the dust off the finish.
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: North Reading MA
I almost always hand wash my vehicles...When the weather doesn't permit, I use the touchless high pressure wash. I always wipe it down with the absorber and have never had any issues.....I would never go through any other type of automatic wash though.
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
For me I do the washing myself to know everything that is going on on the Vette -
I really do not trust a machine and the lowness of the Vette, damage could happen and I would rather not take that chance - especially since they will not stand behind any damage done to your Vette - you will do it at your own risk and damage!
Better to get it Hand Washed by a professional who will come to your home or work to get it done right or a true hand car wash to get it cleaned - or do it yourself!
Thanks,Matt
I really do not trust a machine and the lowness of the Vette, damage could happen and I would rather not take that chance - especially since they will not stand behind any damage done to your Vette - you will do it at your own risk and damage!
Better to get it Hand Washed by a professional who will come to your home or work to get it done right or a true hand car wash to get it cleaned - or do it yourself!
Thanks,Matt
Le Mans Master
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
I also hand wash my cars when the weather permits, but in the PNW hand washing is not always possible.
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Car washing. . .
For me I do the washing myself to know everything that is going on on the Vette -
I really do not trust a machine and the lowness of the Vette, damage could happen and I would rather not take that chance - especially since they will not stand behind any damage done to your Vette - you will do it at your own risk and damage!
Better to get it Hand Washed by a professional who will come to your home or work to get it done right or a true hand car wash to get it cleaned - or do it yourself!
Thanks,Matt
I really do not trust a machine and the lowness of the Vette, damage could happen and I would rather not take that chance - especially since they will not stand behind any damage done to your Vette - you will do it at your own risk and damage!
Better to get it Hand Washed by a professional who will come to your home or work to get it done right or a true hand car wash to get it cleaned - or do it yourself!
Thanks,Matt
There is a lot of a machine in a automated car wash, the vette gets wipe-down with harsh brushes of and the car isn't even with yet other than the water in the brushes, then the car goes through all sorts of water and a soap cycle and at the end is high pressure air to push the water off then some guys wipe your car down with towels, at any rate, I personally never that my corvette through a car wash. I don't give a damn if it's dirty, I'll wash it when I get time.
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From: GRAYSLAKE IL
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I only hand wash mine. I use a Calif Water Blade then chamois. I like P21-S wheel cleaner for the wheels. I delute a little Simple Green in water for under hood clean-up. Enjoy the hands on cleaning!
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Tulsa OK
I do not use an automated car wash of any kind for fear of possible undercarriage damage. I go to a self wash and use the wand for cleaning wheel wells and under the car if necessary.
Dawn for a serious wash (removes wax) after a road trip and Turtle Wax car wash for routine cleaning. I dry the car with a Sham Wow or chamois if at home. I use a California Car duster most often as my car is not a daily driver.
Mother's or Meguire's for polish with an orbital buffer (slow speed) followed by a coat of Collinite 476S paste.
If you buy a name brand product and follow the directions you should be in good shape.
Good luck and welcome to the Forum.
OBD
Goo
Dawn for a serious wash (removes wax) after a road trip and Turtle Wax car wash for routine cleaning. I dry the car with a Sham Wow or chamois if at home. I use a California Car duster most often as my car is not a daily driver.
Mother's or Meguire's for polish with an orbital buffer (slow speed) followed by a coat of Collinite 476S paste.
If you buy a name brand product and follow the directions you should be in good shape.
Good luck and welcome to the Forum.
OBD
Goo
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,857
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From: Sloatsburg NY
Oldtimer
Hand wash is best, I've had no problem with the Absorber, others may disagree.
I use Meguiers Classic Gold Wax, Detailer and Quik Wax and the California Duster.
Good Luck and welcome to the Forum, I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback.
Remember to WAVE
I use Meguiers Classic Gold Wax, Detailer and Quik Wax and the California Duster.
Good Luck and welcome to the Forum, I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback.
Remember to WAVE
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Joined: Nov 2001
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I would NEVER EVER wipe my car down with ANYTHING, if it was not washed by hand. You are taking the film of dirt left behind (yes, it's there) and rubbing it into the finish.