I should have learned my lesson a year ago when I took my 99 Saab 9-5 SE to the car wash and the proceeded to rip the drivers door off my car. What happened was the attendant lined the car up with the track and then opened the door and jumped out. The only problem was that he put the car into reverse instead of neutral and the car backed up and hooked the door around a post as he was trying to stop the car. That was $3k in damages.

Now for today's disaster. I had some bird crap on the car and the rims were of course coated with brake dust. I was heading out to meet with a client and I didn't want the Z looking poor so I stopped back at the wash. Everything seems to go ok and I jump into the car and take off. I go about a block and I start to feel wet on my back and on my ***. Holy crap they left the window open and everywhere I look there is water. It is in the armrests. Man was I pissed. I took it back to them and made them wet vac the car and blow dry it dry. It took hours to get it dry. I know those window switches for the automatic down are sensitive, but damm I still don't know how he didn't catch it. As you may guess I am going to hand was my car from now on.

 

OMG! I would have definitely gone virginia sniper on that car wash. I always hear about people getting hairline scratches all over their cars after taking them to car washs. It is tempting though, in the winter washing your car outside really sucks.

 

Sometimes you have to in Cleveland. When it is 35 degrees outside and you don't have a hot water feed outside it is better to have your cash washed at a high quality clean car wash then not washing your car at all and letting all the dirt and grime build up. Bird poop is especially hard and it was all over my Z. The best car wash I have seen is this laser car wash where nothing touches your car.

 

Probably because the Z is just a car, nothing more, nothing less.

I personally don't take my car's through automated car washes or let others wash my car but I also don't critize others for doing so. If someone wants to take a Ferrari through one so bet it.

 

Like someone said above, it's just a car!

You know reading this forum somtimes I get the impression that everyone thinks the Z is some unusual automobile. Well it's a new car, but from Nissan's view, it's another car built on an assembly line and painted with the same lousy paint they use on all their cars, just a different color!

It's not hand built, hand painted, or anything really special.

Other sports cars get far more 'hand treatment' from the manufactures (NSX, Porsche, Ferrari etc).

Come on, give the guy a break!

 

hey, it's the closest some of us are going to get to a NSX or a ferrari. Personally, the idea of taking the Z to an autowash, or anything but handwashing make me sleep uneasy at night. Nothing wrong with wanting to make a car continue looking new! =D

 

"hey, it's the closest some of us are going to get to a NSX or a ferrari. Personally, the idea of taking the Z to an autowash, or anything but handwashing make me sleep uneasy at night. Nothing wrong with wanting to make a car continue looking new! =D"

no no, hes exactly right, its just a car, not some exotic automobile. however I do not feel that just because its "just a car" means it deserves to have dirty vynal strips whacked up against it scratching the paint while giving the car the most unthorough washing ever.

if I was in a rush(as the poster appeared to be) I would be sure to use a touchless car wash. not that it would help incompetence of the workers, but what can ya do?

 

As long as it gets to near 40, I wash mine with warm water I make inside, using scuba neoprene gloves. Washing isn't bad, but wringing out the drying towel makes your hands cold

 

I know a lot of you believe its just a car.. and yeah.. in a ways it is... BUT... to me.. its my baby... LOL.. and I will treat it like it is just that. Now saying that.. if my Z was totally grimy and bird shot... and let me tell you.. bird *rap is way bad for you as well as your paint.. You really had no choice but to get it off there as soon as possible.

Your best bet in the future is find a place that is heated that you can tap water to wash and rinse. I have my garage and I will be soft washing my Z in the warmth. Or... I would go purchase one of those propane outside heaters.. they put off enough warmth to heat a 20 ft area.

I wouldnt go back to that wash (thrashing) place.

My Thoughts

EZ

 

Do you not rinse off before and after scrubbing? I'm curious how to get my car washed too since Winter is quickly approaching.

 

I dunno ive spent an hour or more each time i washed and waxed my Z. Its not worth the time or effort. It looks great but the car wash near me could do just as good a job in 3 minutes. Its just really not worth the effort...... Its brushless guys dont worry.... Im sure they wont mess it up, they havent messed up anyone elses. Plus ive seen benzes, jags, corvettes, bentleys, bimmers, you name it, ive seen it there, if they could take theres there, i could take my Z there......

 

So, help me out here...

These car washes you talk about... you have a machine lock on to your wheels and drag your car through it? I am confused.

A little level-setting...

In Colorado, we too have car washes . Typically, you pull inside the car wash, and stop and a little bump in the concrete floor. Then, a machine on a track runs by your car. It NEVER makes direct contact with your car and you are ALWAYS inside the car.

I like these,
Todd

 

yeah personally those are the only type Id use. Ihave always questioned their cleaning ability, I believe they are called touchless. so basicly they must be using soap and pressure sprays to clean your car. but in another thread it was said the pressured water could blow the dirt into your clear coat.

I guess if this doesnt bother you, then its not a problem. but Ive always hand washed every car(trucks, 7yo bmw), this is a 35000$ car(atleast mine was) if I cant take an hour or so a week to wash my car, I dont think I will ever deserve anything nicer.

 

I have had my Z Car since August 23rd or 24th...and since then, I have only taken my car to the was twice. I prefer to wet wipe it down real good in the garage. My car is ChromeSilver and scratches do not show up real easy. However, my best friend has a Birckyard Red, and he has taken his car to the wash several times, and he has many brush marks (Scratches) on his car.

Maybe Nissan should let us have our cars washed at their own detail shops (body shops) at a discounted rate or something.

I have an Infiniti QX4 and Infiniti washes your car for free no more than once per week at the dealership (hand washing). If you live in the Bay Area, and own an Infiniti, call Peninsula Infiniti for your free weekly car wash.

Good luck guys and gals, with the washing/maintaining of your wonderful Z cars.

SilverChrome

 

This is a great quote! You made me laugh.

Enjoy your Z.
WayneTN

 

Yes, but I have my gloves on there, too.

Scuba type gloves aren't waterproof, but they do keep the heat exchange down by trapping basically the same water against your skin instead of allowing it to transfer the heat to the air or other water. The reason my hands still get cold wringing out the drying towel is that you are forcing new water into the gloves.

I was so pleased with myself when I decided to try the scuba gloves a few years ago They aren't really that expensive, and are handy for cold car washes.

 

Cool! Lasers just slice the dirt right off the car. That must be quite a sight! Do you have to wear special glasses?