automatic car wash ok with a vert?
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,187
From: Buffalo Texas
the people who like their vette prestine don't get salt on them or go though auto car washes,there are many levels of car care, don't get me wrong it is your car to do or care for any way you please !!!
Instructor
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: St. Charles MO
I have a "membership" at a local high-quality drive through car wash and run mine through whenever needed (typically only a couple times per month during the driving season). My top definitely leaks when I run it through, so I throw a towel down on the seat, and when it comes through the employee quickly dries it right off. It's not a big deal. The one big deal that does bother me some is that water tends to collect in the trunk / deck lid bay where the little struts (I don't know the term, but the little shock deals) are. I always vacuum it out and dry it as good as I can, but there's no doubt that it gets / stays a little wet.
I respect those who have the time / passion to spend and not use a car wash, but I'm not one of them. My limited time spent enjoying mine is going to be driving it, not washing it! If you need to use the car wash, do it.
I respect those who have the time / passion to spend and not use a car wash, but I'm not one of them. My limited time spent enjoying mine is going to be driving it, not washing it! If you need to use the car wash, do it.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
One thing I have noticed on my very dark blue 08 Silverado taking it through the touch-free car wash I work at, is now that I very seldom touch the paint with a wash mitt, or a drying cloth, the paint actually looks better than ever, and it only takes 4 minutes of my time. No matter how you do it, they always start getting dirty a minute later down the road.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
In coastal florida salt air and sand is eveywhere, you kinda got to use water if you're going to drive it much.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 428
Likes: 30
I can't believe how much cleaner my DD's are using a high pressure industry recommended under car wash in the winter. Pretty hard to do out of a bucket at home. On the C5 though, when just dusty, I just simply just give it a bird bath with a gallon pure RO water, with a drop of soap, lightly using a dripping wet MF towel, with a final pure water spray out of a bottle, then wiped dry. No need for a special waterless wash.
Last edited by REDHOTS; Dec 25, 2015 at 08:17 PM.
1/4 mile/AutoX
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,442
Likes: 2,187
From: Buffalo Texas
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,764
Likes: 375
From: Central Florida
My only point was I like to drive my car, some people would rather preserve there's like new! To each his own. Look at it this way, all of us with non pristine c5's are making some of your cars look really good!
I'm very happy no one has insulted the op for bringing up a car wash like the last car wash thread, that was ridiculous!
Last edited by Forcedvert; Dec 25, 2015 at 10:21 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 8,080
Likes: 151
From: Toronto
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Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 361
Likes: 34
From: Central MA
It is a risk I wouldn't take. Several years ago I took my 78 Pontiac Grand Prix thru an automatic car wash and one of the brush arms slammed down on the top of my right front fender and made a large dent. Fortunately I had no problem with the ownership paying for the repair.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 740
Likes: 88
From: Brighton Tennessee
We Have one of those high end 3 min drive through car washes here close to me...I run my pick-up through it all the time...does a Great job and gets everything clean...but I hand wash my VERT.....Just saying....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
Hi, Merry Christmas!
I have an '01 vert and here in Indianapolis the water is terrible. Even worse if you are on a well like I am. Does anyone use an automatic car wash on a regular basis? This is my first vert and I don't know the ins and outs of vert ownership yet. I used to run my C4 plastic top through all the time with minimal leaks.
I have an '01 vert and here in Indianapolis the water is terrible. Even worse if you are on a well like I am. Does anyone use an automatic car wash on a regular basis? This is my first vert and I don't know the ins and outs of vert ownership yet. I used to run my C4 plastic top through all the time with minimal leaks.
Do you know the automatic car wash water is any different? That may not be the solution.
If you work to get the car clean and apply a good wax/protectant then washing with crappy water should be OK. You can use a leaf blower to get the water off the surface. Do the top and windows first, hood, trunk, and then front and back sides.
Good luck.
Mr. Sam
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 305
From: Carmel Indiana
I also live in Indy area. I have designed the mechanical and process systems for about 20 of the Mike's/Crew auto carwash's here in town. These are considered the best of the best around here .
And NO, I would never take my vette thru one. I know too much about the conveyor system!!
And NO, I would never take my vette thru one. I know too much about the conveyor system!!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Ah, I never thought about the ride height of the car. My C4 was much higher than my C5. Oops!
I do have an outside faucet that is hooked up to soft water. But take one look at my shower and tell me it takes all the crap out of my well water....Yuck!
I do have an outside faucet that is hooked up to soft water. But take one look at my shower and tell me it takes all the crap out of my well water....Yuck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
There are some detailing products out there that are sprayed on after washing while the car is still wet. When you wipe it dry, it details, eliminates spots and leaves a shine.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,658
Likes: 25
From: Rochester Minnesota
My Annie goes through a touchless car wash about 50% of the time. The one I use is at a gas station. While I'm filling the car, I use the window wash brush to get rid of the bugs on the front and on the mirrors. 
I get a few drops of water in through the seals on the top of the windows. I keep a small towel in behind the seats to deal with that.
Looks and runs fine afterwards.
I get a few drops of water in through the seals on the top of the windows. I keep a small towel in behind the seats to deal with that.
Looks and runs fine afterwards.
Last edited by 427435; Dec 26, 2015 at 11:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,264
Likes: 455
From: Stella, North Carolina
I have also lived by the motto "I have more time than money". I drive my car a lot during the season and clean it after every drive...the bugs here are ridiculous.
