Roadster drive through car wash
#1
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Roadster drive through car wash
When I don't wash the car myself I use a car wash that uses water jets and they hand wash. The problem is both the cost even with a discount and no car wash knows how to dry your car escpecially not with shop towels. The folded over sewn edges scratch the paint and since they rub in circles, that's where the swirl line scratches come from.
So i've tried to find a do it yourself or drive through. I stay away from the ones that spin. The newer ones dance the stripped cloth over the car. Tracks can damage wide wheels. They don't get the wheels clean. I'm afraid of the ones that have the blow dryer that glides over your car on wheels. The newest ones have stationary blow dryers.
Besides the do it yourself wash, I found a 76 station that had a stationary wash. Meaning the car is stationary and not on a rolling track. The water jets roll frowards and backwards on a horse shoe shaped machine. The exit has three staionary air dryers.
Does anyone else have any input or experience to share?
...what word?
So i've tried to find a do it yourself or drive through. I stay away from the ones that spin. The newer ones dance the stripped cloth over the car. Tracks can damage wide wheels. They don't get the wheels clean. I'm afraid of the ones that have the blow dryer that glides over your car on wheels. The newest ones have stationary blow dryers.
Besides the do it yourself wash, I found a 76 station that had a stationary wash. Meaning the car is stationary and not on a rolling track. The water jets roll frowards and backwards on a horse shoe shaped machine. The exit has three staionary air dryers.
Does anyone else have any input or experience to share?
...what word?
#3
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I have used a wash similar to the 76 station. It worked fine. I always brought microfiber towels to dry what the blowers missed. I made many mods to the Z since then so hand wash only now.
#4
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Have you ever noticed older cars where the clear coat has disappeared and the flat color paint underneath is showing ?
SOMETIMES this is the result of improper chemicals or chemical mixes at car washes.
You may be damaging your paint by visiting ANY car wash . . . .touch-less or not.
(I owned a car once that was shiny before the car wash and dull after . . . the chemical used by the car wash was designed for cleaning concrete.)
SOMETIMES this is the result of improper chemicals or chemical mixes at car washes.
You may be damaging your paint by visiting ANY car wash . . . .touch-less or not.
(I owned a car once that was shiny before the car wash and dull after . . . the chemical used by the car wash was designed for cleaning concrete.)
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#7
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Washing your car by hand at home is hands down the only way to get your paint truly clean and minimize swirling. High pressure drive throughs will not remove surface contaminants from the paint. Don't believe me? Go use a touchless drive through, pull your car over, spray some detail spray on your hood and wipe it down with a white microfiber. Its going to be grey.
You have to hand wash with a 2 bucket method to properly lift dirt from the paint. Follow that up with drying with a clean microfiber drying towel or blow drying and you're golden.
You have to hand wash with a 2 bucket method to properly lift dirt from the paint. Follow that up with drying with a clean microfiber drying towel or blow drying and you're golden.
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#10
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FYI - clay bar will lift water spots.
Last edited by Syner; 08-19-2013 at 12:25 PM.
#11
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Washing your car by hand at home is hands down the only way to get your paint truly clean and minimize swirling. High pressure drive throughs will not remove surface contaminants from the paint. Don't believe me? Go use a touchless drive through, pull your car over, spray some detail spray on your hood and wipe it down with a white microfiber. Its going to be grey.
You have to hand wash with a 2 bucket method to properly lift dirt from the paint. Follow that up with drying with a clean microfiber drying towel or blow drying and you're golden.
You have to hand wash with a 2 bucket method to properly lift dirt from the paint. Follow that up with drying with a clean microfiber drying towel or blow drying and you're golden.
#12
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#13
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Have you ever noticed older cars where the clear coat has disappeared and the flat color paint underneath is showing ?
SOMETIMES this is the result of improper chemicals or chemical mixes at car washes.
You may be damaging your paint by visiting ANY car wash . . . .touch-less or not.
(I owned a car once that was shiny before the car wash and dull after . . . the chemical used by the car wash was designed for cleaning concrete.)
SOMETIMES this is the result of improper chemicals or chemical mixes at car washes.
You may be damaging your paint by visiting ANY car wash . . . .touch-less or not.
(I owned a car once that was shiny before the car wash and dull after . . . the chemical used by the car wash was designed for cleaning concrete.)
If that's true, that's insane! That really makes no sense and I find it hard to beleive but it's also scary.
#14
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You have no clue what you are talking about. Talk to any reputable detailer and they will tell you to avoid drive-through washes. Some even say not washing at all is better than using a drive-through.
As said above, clay bar will pull water spots...
#15
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Hey now, not everyone has access to a garden hose and driveway. I moved into an apartment, and parking is in a garage. I have hundreds of dollars worth of car wash accessories and they sit in my closet.
If I can take it to a buddy's house to wash then I will, but most times I end up taking it to a self wash station and using my detail stuff to finish it up.
Never, ever ever ever ever go through a drive through wash. Convertible or coupe it doesnt matter.
If I can take it to a buddy's house to wash then I will, but most times I end up taking it to a self wash station and using my detail stuff to finish it up.
Never, ever ever ever ever go through a drive through wash. Convertible or coupe it doesnt matter.
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In central Texas (Austin) we are not allowed to wash our cars due to the drought and associated water restrictions. A brand new car wash opened close by with all the hanging strips of some kind of fabric. I worry a lot both leaking (2007 Roadster) and top damage. Any thoughts on this? I would much rather hand wash but the fine is $400.00.
#19
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In central Texas (Austin) we are not allowed to wash our cars due to the drought and associated water restrictions. A brand new car wash opened close by with all the hanging strips of some kind of fabric. I worry a lot both leaking (2007 Roadster) and top damage. Any thoughts on this? I would much rather hand wash but the fine is $400.00.
As a detailer.. there is so much wrong info in this it's humorous
Last edited by 350zchad; 10-14-2013 at 05:18 PM.
#20
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The local car wash "Spa" place here offers hand washing and they have a plethora of cloths etc to ensure they don't add swirls.
I just had a hand wash and then clay bar, buff etc and the car looks amazing.
Hand wash is only $35... I think a couple of them and a couple of bucket washing at home will work for me.
Here she is after the wash yesterday.... drool!!!
I just had a hand wash and then clay bar, buff etc and the car looks amazing.
Hand wash is only $35... I think a couple of them and a couple of bucket washing at home will work for me.
Here she is after the wash yesterday.... drool!!!