Stingrays through a carwash?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 770
The next time you are at your typical car wash, take a look at what the dudes are using to dry the cars. High quality micro fiber towels? Rarely!
Usually those old red cloths....in a circular motion. Some washes even use terrry cloth...the enemy of a good paint job. And folks wonder why their cars have swirl marks! Futhermore, in the time it takes to drive to the car wash, get it done, drive home, and then go over the car to get the water drip marks off, one could have done a proper job at home. It's plain and simple....if you really care about the appearance of your vehicle, do it yourself. If not, hit the car wash.
Usually those old red cloths....in a circular motion. Some washes even use terrry cloth...the enemy of a good paint job. And folks wonder why their cars have swirl marks! Futhermore, in the time it takes to drive to the car wash, get it done, drive home, and then go over the car to get the water drip marks off, one could have done a proper job at home. It's plain and simple....if you really care about the appearance of your vehicle, do it yourself. If not, hit the car wash.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
I've taken all my Vettes through a touchless wash w/o any problems. I have never seen any problems, or any evidence that it hurts the paint. I only use ones where I am the only one who touches the car, and I would never use a wash with tracks/rails. Not enough undercarriage clearance or high enough sidewall to protect the rims. I can't imagine they would do the alignment any good, either. 
Something to consider if you live in areas that have salt on the roads; find a good touchless with a powerful undercarriage spray, and you have rinsed the salt off better than you could ever do at home, if you don't have a lift where you could power wash it.
Something to consider if you live in areas that have salt on the roads; find a good touchless with a powerful undercarriage spray, and you have rinsed the salt off better than you could ever do at home, if you don't have a lift where you could power wash it.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
hmmmmmm....I can see by the responses that not one of you read the article.
The topic is about leaving the fob in the car and it locking, and all sorts of issues over the various car brands and their approach to technology. Now go back and read the damn thing!
The topic is about leaving the fob in the car and it locking, and all sorts of issues over the various car brands and their approach to technology. Now go back and read the damn thing!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
We don't have any CAS, so that's moot.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 552
Likes: 67
From: Everett/Mesa WA/AZ
Some interesting technology out there I wasn't even aware of. I got surprised by the automatic wipers on wife's Lexus. That was a scramble. My 36 Ford Pickup don't have them things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,137
Likes: 3,176
From: Kannapolis MA.
The next time you are at your typical car wash, take a look at what the dudes are using to dry the cars. High quality micro fiber towels? Rarely!
Usually those old red cloths....in a circular motion. Some washes even use terrry cloth...the enemy of a good paint job. And folks wonder why their cars have swirl marks! Futhermore, in the time it takes to drive to the car wash, get it done, drive home, and then go over the car to get the water drip marks off, one could have done a proper job at home. It's plain and simple....if you really care about the appearance of your vehicle, do it yourself. If not, hit the car wash.
Usually those old red cloths....in a circular motion. Some washes even use terrry cloth...the enemy of a good paint job. And folks wonder why their cars have swirl marks! Futhermore, in the time it takes to drive to the car wash, get it done, drive home, and then go over the car to get the water drip marks off, one could have done a proper job at home. It's plain and simple....if you really care about the appearance of your vehicle, do it yourself. If not, hit the car wash.
Iagree,yup.
Now in closing:QUOTE)If not,hit the car wash......
Now you want to go back to the car wash
COME-ON MAN!!
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 136,140
Likes: 2,432
From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
99.99% of the time, I only use Griots Waterless Carwash unless particularly dirty. Then I do it by hand.
Thread Starter
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Wouldn't it be awful if the car behind yours rear ended you? Now we have to be careful who follows us in line!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 79
From: Wichita Kansas
I know most of us hand wash our C7s, but there may be some who run their vette through a carwash. I am wondering if there are any of the problems outlined in this interesting article affecting the C7...perfect example of unintended consequences.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/can...ash-2014-11-17
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/can...ash-2014-11-17
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 13,733
Likes: 66
From: Hurst, TX USA
I think I've washed my with water twice since I bought it 2/1/14. It takes 20 min to do the whole car with the Griot's waterless. No hoses and pails and stuff to get out and put away later either...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
For a daily driver I would just use the wand wash occasionally to keep the grime at a reasonable level. (But be careful, you can get enough pressure to remove flex paint from bumpers if you zero in on a squashed bug. Don't ask me how I know.)
Serious about detailing? Hire a pro you can trust to hand wash, or do it yourself.
Serious about detailing? Hire a pro you can trust to hand wash, or do it yourself.