dr bob

The few times that I took my former DD (black Explorer) through a commercial wash, it took more effort to recover from the adventure than it would have taken to just do it by hand. The 'touchless' wash used high-pressure jets of filtered water. Then the last time the finish/drying dude used Windex and a towel to try to get the black looking black again instead of the new dingy grey film. We had a discussion.

I have used the self-wash coin-op places when too far from home, but just using them as a rental hose. Still used my own bucket/soap/sponges/towels.

Neighbor lady with a black AMG SL has a hand-wash deal with the local commercial car-wash place, where they don't run it through the line. It works well for her. That would be the only option if my own hand wash was not an option.

Catfood

Going through the Car wash only makes your car look worse. It doesn't get anything around the fin, the backs to the headlights cant be cleaned in the wash and everything on the front fascia doesn't get cleaned! So what exactly am I paying to get washed?

Chuck Schreiber

No carwashes for either of mine!
I use California Car Dusters for both of them, followed by Meguire's spray detailer after I drive them and them put them back under the cover. The GTS gets about 2 hand washes a year. They happen after LONGGGG road trips like 3rd coast. The rest of the time, they are in the garage under a cover so the kids don't scratch them with their bikes, etc.

RKD in OKC

I have a couple of local car washes that hand wash exotics for the same price as going through the wash. They consider anything exotic that the tires are too wide for their track or the car is too low to get onto the track. Takes a bit longer but they do a nice job.

Mrmerlin

you can tell if your 928 was sent through a car wash the front left lower sway bar link will be ground down from rubbing on the rail

Chuck Schreiber

Stan,

Thanks for mentioning that.

When we got Mike's GTS up on the lift this weekend, the left front drop link was flat on the bottom. We were scratching our heads thinking someone bottomed out the car or something.

Guess we now know "The rest of the story".

shmark

The 928? No way. But we've got a Jeep Commander that's a pain to wash in the driveway so it goes to the commercial place down the street. They do a nice job and for five bucks more, do an oil change too. Works for me and yes I watch them do the oil change, so far so good.

WyattsRide

I always hand wash my vehicles. I enjoy doing it. The only time I can't is in the winter when the DD's are covered with salt. Then I'll go to the DIY car washes and spray them off. NEVER USE THE BRUSHES! I have at times in the winter, washed a car in the garage.

I have a special mitt for each car that I only use on the tops and sides. After the top and sides are clean I then use a sponge and brush for the wheels, tires, below the door and wheel wells. Final rinse over all then dry. Like I said, I enjoy cleaning my cars.

Chuck Z

Not a chance with the 928! I do however run the other cars through a really good touch free was at the gas station (absolutely nothing touchs the car while it's being washed) and then take them home and hand wash them to get them realy clean....


Wish there was something like this around here.....

AO

Never take the p-car through. DD, of course, but man it does a number on the paint.

vincentboyle

I prefer hand car wash - steam cleaning exterior specially. It's clean, safe, environmentally friendly, not so popular, but... it's very effective.

Jim M.

The problem with almost all of the car wash places, including the self service ones is that they recycle the water. And as the environmental laws keep getting more and more restrictive it's getting worse. All of them filter the water (somewhat, some of the filters are just swirl tanks that let the heavy dirt settle, the rest gets pumped back to your nozzel.) But none of them do anything to reduce the PH level of the recycled water. What you end up with is an acidic solution that removes any wax and destroys your sensitive paint.

Me, hand wash only in my driveway. if I can avoid it, I don't wash it on trips until I get home.

andy-gts

I hand wash....but....I live on a gravel road 3\4 mile to black top and after getting to town I have to hose it off if I don't want to drive around in a dirty car. I don't use wax, just Zaino and everything always looks better than new. nothing to fear, just a car.

andy

pcar928fan

^^^^^^
BITE YOUR TONGUE SIR! If it is ONLY a car then I'll trade you straight up my EURO85 for your GTS!

Speedtoys

In this poor economy, I try to make sure others are working hard for their money.





I outsource to American Workers.