I know most of you will think iam nuts but up in new york state with the cold weather coming, the only way to keep my silverstone roadster clean is to take it to a car wash. Has any one had any bad effects going through a wash especially any effects on the roof. thanks

 

Swirlmarks on the paint mostly. Unless you go no-touch in which case the wheels are never cleaned very well.

I don't think I'll ever take my Z to a carwash bro. Maybe the coin-op pressurewash places but the manual actually tells you not to use those because it can damage the roof.

Mine's strictly a summer car though so I can sponge it in the driveway... I couldn't do it in the winter though.

If you HAVE to take it to a carwash go with notouch or go with pressure wash and avoid getting near the roof.

 

i only handwash mine. i would be afraid to go to an automatic car wash. some of those brushes seem to scrub the top of the car pretty hard. can only imagine what it would do to the soft top.

if you do go ahead with it, which i dont really recommend, post your experience. curious how it will turn out. good luck.

oh ronnie, why dont you pay some detailers to wash your car? if they just do a simple wash it shouldnt cost too much huh? better than freezing your butt off in the winter... and better than getting the swirl marks and busting up your cloth top.

paul, what is a notouch car wash?

 

I will not take mine to a car was either.

Just a little tip for washing your car in the winter. Use rubber gloves. My husband had to clean our 37ft motorhome last week before winterizing it. His hands were frozen and he had to keep taking breaks. I went over to sears and got him high rubber gloves. He finished the motorhome with no problem. It does make a difference. You don't feel the stinging on your hands. I take them off to dry and Zaino. It helps with the cold water.

 

winter is the only time i take it to the car wash, i can't stand the cold winter in NYC, but i only take it to hand wash places. for 20 bucks they do a good job. i mean its still a car, i do love it, but i am not going to revolve my life around it. When spring comes i usually clay my car and do the whole zaino process myself.

 

ragtopz - A NoTouch is where only water jets hit the car. usually it consists of a spraybar that moves around and over the car with high pressure water, rather than a spinning brush.

It's surprisingly effective for the most part. Never as good as an old fashioned sponge and bucket but for a quickie, it's not too bad.

 

Around here there is a chain called Splash Hand Wash. (I think they are national).

A good hand wash is like $14, and that includes vacuum cleaning, windows, and a towel dry.

It's not as good as doing it yourself, but it is much safer and gentler than a machine wash.

I have tried to "no touch" systems. They are "ok" for a quick rinse, but once the car is really dirty, they never seem to get the film of grunge off.

 

thanks paul.

 

Heck, I don't remember seeing this post. I posted an almost identical thread yesterday! Doh! How does this scroll bar work again.....?