Automated Car Washes
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 553
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From: Shelby Twp - Metro-Detroit, Michigan
Automated Car Washes
The C8 design team has cautioned C8 owners against the use of automated car washes. - In fact, I heard that my soon-to-be-built C8 will be delivered with an information tag on the steering column warning against the use of car washes. - What is the concern?
Is there an issue with ground clearance? – If so, my C8 will be equipped with the front lift option. – Is it the 305/30ZR-20 rear tire width in the car wash track? - That shouldn’t be a problem because 305 tires are 12.2” wide and the track on this this specific car wash is 12.75” wide.
My Corvettes never really get dirty; just dusty, especially the gloss black wheels. - I always request the car wash attendant to program their rotating equipment to “full retract” mode for my wash. - Also, I always require that they wipe down and dry my car and wheels with my clean mico-fiber cloths.
What am I not seeing here with regard to the warning on automated car washes?
Mariano
Is there an issue with ground clearance? – If so, my C8 will be equipped with the front lift option. – Is it the 305/30ZR-20 rear tire width in the car wash track? - That shouldn’t be a problem because 305 tires are 12.2” wide and the track on this this specific car wash is 12.75” wide.
My Corvettes never really get dirty; just dusty, especially the gloss black wheels. - I always request the car wash attendant to program their rotating equipment to “full retract” mode for my wash. - Also, I always require that they wipe down and dry my car and wheels with my clean mico-fiber cloths.
What am I not seeing here with regard to the warning on automated car washes?
Mariano
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Personally, I would not allow them to run my car thru any automated wash. When I was younger, I worked for a Caddy dealership and every car got washed after service and had a number of customers specifically say "don't wash". Others said "hand wash only".
Same reason why you never use the brush at the local self serve spray shop. You just don't know what kind of debris can be in those elements. Get that car ceramic coated and the dust should come right off when you go down the highway.
Same reason why you never use the brush at the local self serve spray shop. You just don't know what kind of debris can be in those elements. Get that car ceramic coated and the dust should come right off when you go down the highway.
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,414
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From: Auburn NY
None of my Corvettes have ever had a car wash brush touch them. I do use touchless washes regularly and have never had any issues. Both my cars have full paint protection.
When I see the workers at the brush wash tunnel dip their brooms in a pail and brush the front of cars waiting to go in, I cringe.
For C8, which I do not own, perhaps it has something to do with how water gets in to the engine compartment?
When I see the workers at the brush wash tunnel dip their brooms in a pail and brush the front of cars waiting to go in, I cringe.
For C8, which I do not own, perhaps it has something to do with how water gets in to the engine compartment?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 553
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From: Shelby Twp - Metro-Detroit, Michigan
None of my Corvettes have ever had a car wash brush touch them. I do use touchless washes regularly and have never had any issues. Both my cars have full paint protection.
When I see the workers at the brush wash tunnel dip their brooms in a pail and brush the front of cars waiting to go in, I cringe.
For C8, which I do not own, perhaps it has something to do with how water gets in to the engine compartment?
When I see the workers at the brush wash tunnel dip their brooms in a pail and brush the front of cars waiting to go in, I cringe.
For C8, which I do not own, perhaps it has something to do with how water gets in to the engine compartment?
Personally, I would not allow them to run my car thru any automated wash. When I was younger, I worked for a Caddy dealership and every car got washed after service and had a number of customers specifically say "don't wash". Others said "hand wash only".
Same reason why you never use the brush at the local self serve spray shop. You just don't know what kind of debris can be in those elements. Get that car ceramic coated and the dust should come right off when you go down the highway.
Same reason why you never use the brush at the local self serve spray shop. You just don't know what kind of debris can be in those elements. Get that car ceramic coated and the dust should come right off when you go down the highway.
My Corvettes never get really dirty; just dusty, and the dusty gloss black wheels that indicate its time for a car wash.
How effective is ceramic coating on black painted wheels? - My C8 will be ceramic coated including the wheels. - Also, I will replace the factory brake pads (Z-51) with low dust pads. - How effective will the coating be with regard to road dust and brake dust removel?
Mariano
Last edited by Mariano; Oct 14, 2020 at 02:37 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 54
Likes: 17
From: Georgia, USA
My Corvettes never get really dirty; just dusty, and the dusty gloss black wheels that indicate its time for a car wash.
How effective is ceramic coating on black painted wheels? - My C8 will be ceramic coated including the wheels. - Also, I will replace the factory brake pads (Z-51) with low dust pads. - How effective will the coating be with regard to road dust and brake dust removel?
Mariano
How effective is ceramic coating on black painted wheels? - My C8 will be ceramic coated including the wheels. - Also, I will replace the factory brake pads (Z-51) with low dust pads. - How effective will the coating be with regard to road dust and brake dust removel?
Mariano
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 553
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From: Shelby Twp - Metro-Detroit, Michigan
My car has the GTechniq brand 9 year ceramic coating on the paint as well as on the wheel/calipers. I also had a "permanent" glass coating applied so that in the rain the water beads up and flies off (think RainX that lasts for seven-ish years). I have ZERO visible brake dust on the front of the wheels, and what is invisible to me comes off with the hose when I presoak the car prior to washing. Ceramic coatings make the car extremely slippery, and very simple to wash. I highly recommend letting a professional shop do a paint correction, then ceramic coating on your car.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 54
Likes: 17
From: Georgia, USA
I had my wheels repainted prior to having the ceramic coating applied. The installer of the coating waited one week to let the paint cure completely, and minimize the risk of having issues.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,449
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I have Cquartz Pro ceramic coating on my car. I pull my car into the driveway when it is not sunny, hose it off with a high pressure nozzle, blow excess water off with a leaf blower, and dry the car with quality micro fiber towels. Then a touch of detail spray for any remaining spots. No car washes, no soap, no buckets, no swirl marks. Easy peesy.
