Car Wash Selection.
I have two vehicles which have never been to a typical "rotating brush" car wash and a daily driver that is there every week. The cars that I wish to protect are kept under cover and then hand washed when necessary. Since hand washing takes more time and planning, is there a problem with the use of "brushless" car washes just to knock the dust off? My concern is that these may use a harsh detergent instead of brushes to get the dirt off with the end result reducing the life of the wax. Does anyone have knowledge of the effects of car wash detergents on base coat/clear coat paint with wax?
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
I would NEVER EVER take any of my cars to a car wash whether it be my collector cars, my drivers, or even my 215,000 mile Jeep daily beater. If I don't have time to clean it by hand then I will just leave it dirty until I do get the time. Too many horror stories of things that can happen at car washes. And no I have never experienced one of those horror stories because I will not take my car to one of those places. It aint worth the risk IMHO.
Dave -
Re: Car Wash Selection.
I take the daily drivers to the carwash, though the brushes are a far cry from what they were when I worked at them 30 years ago. Nowadays they are more like heavy synthetic chamois.
Here in west Michigan, the salt spreading capital of the world, the rust will consume the body of the car looong before you have to worry about the finish.
I would never, though, take any car I care about through the wash. I use one of the California Car Dusters for heavy dust, and Meguiars Final Inspection with a microfiber towel for the next step.
They then get hand washed as needed, usually a few times a year for the 2008, once yearly for the 1970 Cutlass, a few times per decade for the 1972 Corvette.
Come to think of it, it has probably been 6 years since I washed the 72, maybe more.
Oops, just remembered - I probably washed it in 2011 after driving it to the National.Vice-Chairman (West), Michigan Chapter NCRS
71 "deer modified" coupe
72 5-Star Bowtie / Duntov coupe. https://www.flickr.com/photos/124695...57649252735124
2008 coupe
Available stickers: Engine suffix code, exhaust tips & mufflers, shocks, AIR diverter valve broadcast code.Comment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
In another life I ran a car wash. We brushed the car by hand with a brush, and sent it through an automated rinse. We used a granulated industrial detergent that I wish I still had some of for cleaning around the shop. I learned to never, ever use soap on a car finish. It is caustic to even the toughest finish, not to mention plastic. I even shy away from mild soaps like dishwashing liquid. You have to loosen the dirt particles mechanically, and you need lots of water for lubrication. After you rub the surface with a wet soft sponge or towel, you need lots of water to flush away the dirt.
I've also done a lot of damage by rubbing chrome and paint when it is dry (even with soft cloths and dusters). I'll admit that I still do this sometimes, but I shouldn't.
PaulComment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
If I read the OP's post correctly, his concern is with the "brushless" car washes, the kind where you drive into a bay and the detergent and rinse is squirted all around the car with nothing but liquids coming in contact with the car and as you drive out of the bay the dryer blows off all the excess.
here in Connecticut they have been using magnesium chloride on the roads (quite caustic) so I do run my DD through it after the Winter is over, I think they use a lot of the same water that runs through a filter of some sort.
having said that, the brushless car washes are less likely to damage anything, but I would not use it on my corvette.
for me cleaning is sort of a Zen experience, I get to go over every inch of the car and discover any new defects that may have occurred, I use quality products (Zaino) that were specifically designed for automotive applications, and usually after a few hours, I feel good about what I accomplished, and the car looks great as well.
Regards
Roy1972 LT-1 Elkhart Green CoupeComment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
Yes, that was the question. Is the water filtered and then reused resulting in spraying salt water on your finish? Is the detergent a gentle soap or a harsh chemical that can damage the finish?Comment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
If you could choose a "rinse only" cycle, you may be OK. Years ago I tried one at a grand opening of a new facility. I was at the beach and wanted to get the ocean spray off my then new 2000 Blazer. Told the attendant NO SOAP , RINSE ONLY! Well, apparently that was not an option. It did a pretty good job, but after it dried, all the gloss black plastic trim was dulled and grey looking. I spent the following weekend polishing it all back up as well as the paint. Lesson learned. Chip.Comment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
Something that has not been mentioned - if it is a "real" Corvette it will leak like crazy in a high pressure wash (brushes or not). I am talking about older Corvettes, the new ones may not. Don H.Comment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
A "real" Corvette will leak with a home water hose...or rain.. or the thought of water getting near it.
PhilComment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
I would never take any of my Corvettes, new or old, to an automated car wash, brushless or not. My new one gets dirty, muddy, etc. on trips, but I hand wash it and dry immediately. My old ones have not seen water since I have had them, just dusted with micro-fiber and using detailer sprays.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
During the rainy season here in central Florida, I never take my daily driver through the car wash - even with a 48 hour weather guarantee (that only covers a basic wash). This year, as an example, it has been very hot and it rains most every day after noon. We usually try to do our business in the AM, including Vette rides, but if we get caught out with our DD you can bet it will be a good downpour which will clean the car very well. If for some reason, during season transition, it doesn't rain for a few days, then when it does you can expect mud on the rear end and streaky windows due to road grime.
As for saying "you would never use a car wash for any of your cars", we'll wait until you get a little older or have a bad ticker to deal with. I have and I can only wash my Vette around once a year and even that is a chore. Cleaner and waxing I leave for my sons or some hired help.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
Michael;
My comment wasn't directed at you. I agree, any Vette or collector car should be given tender loving care, but a daily driver? These are the cars we must have in order to save our good cars. Besides, many of us probably only keep them for a few years anyway. Mine is an 07 VW ***** which I really don't like too much, but it was a cast off from one of my sons, and it is a little hot rod with the 2.5 liter I 5.
Stu FoxComment
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Re: Car Wash Selection.
OK, VW rabbit!! Good grief!
Stu FoxComment
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