I take both of my Volvos, one is a classic 84 242, and our Audi Q5 to the local car wash here in Trinity Florida and they do a fabulous job with loads of extras available after the wash like really nice soft towels, vacuums for both sides of the car and a nice angled spot to finish off the project. I've often wondered, sometimes out loud, what would it be like to take my 911 there; does anybody do this? I've never seen one at the wash so I'm interested in see what everyone has to say. Thanks, Ralph

 

If you want to keep your car looking as awesome as it does above - I wouldn't! Also your avatar pic is pretty great ha.

 

No.

DaveGee

 

I’m in the minority ... my Targa was winter driven (with winter wheels/tires) and I have a monthly membership providing unlimited washes with hand drying. Over the past year of ownership, I washed it weekly on average, sometime more often. No PPF on that car (rationalized due to it being a lease but likely will PPF next time) but the ceramic coat has held up nicely. Since car washes are not considered essential services, my only option is the local gas station with a touchless car wash for the time being. I suppose I’m “maturing” and no longer **** about this particular subject.

 

only occasionally in a toucheless. Maybe if I had a detailer buddy living next door. But in regular carwashes I see the way they drop their sponges on the floor and keep using it afterwards, my car is black, I can't afford the swirls 🤣. I don't even let the dealer wash it.

 

Oh, oh. I see where this is going... Looks like the driveway is going to be the place. Thank you myrr, the Avatar was fun to do...!

 

Hell no.

Last car I took through a car wash was my leased Lexus. Scraped 3 wheels one time, two wheels the next. Good thing I had gotten wheel / tire insurance when I leased it.

 

Presuming your weather in Tampa keeps your car cleaner, longer, than in WA state - "waterless washing" could be an option also... I hear good things, but only do light detailing between actual washes myself. Something to consider. Seems like these products are gaining popularity.

 

All the time. My 2018 C4S is my only car and I drive it all year round in NH. The car gets filthy with salt and sand. It is not practical to wash it myself five months of the year. I take it to a touch-less car wash once a week. Once I made the mistake of driving through car wash with brushes and it bent my rear wiper mechanism. It now has a bit of play but works fine. Obviously I can’t drive in deep snow and am forced to borrow my wife’s Volvo. This year was the third winter season. The paint has held up well and I have XPEL on the front half of the car.
But reading all the responses here, I guess I will not be able to sell my car here even if I want to.

 

I would not.

I used to take my previous two 991s to a touchless car wash. Just haven't done that with this one. I just wash it myself.

 

Never. No matter how good they are they can guarantee not screwing with the finish. Also even hand dried doesn't speak to the quality and reuse of the towels.
Best form of therapy I have ever had is washing my 911's.

 

Hand wash mine 99% of the time. If it's covered in bugs and I know I won't be able to wash it for a day or 2, I'll do the touchless as bugs and bird poop can cause damage if left sitting.

Never never never through a car wash with brushes and "helpful" attendants using brushes. Good God!
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**Another tip... Never Ever dry your car after a touchless wash. You will grind the dirt into the paint as you dry and create swirls o' plenty. Your car isn't really clean. It's basically just rinsed well. I see this time and time again and cringe every time!

 

I've taken my S550 through a touchless and it seemed OK. I keep new/clean microfiber towels in a ziplock bag and pull to the side to finish drying what the blower doesn't remove. That car has full front PPF and Ceramic Pro 9H over the entire car. Plus, it's so huge I can't get motivated to wash it myself. It's 4 years old and looks pretty good for a metallic black car. It won't be winning any car shows but is fine for a 30K mile DD.

I have full PPF/ceramic on the 911 so I wouldn't worry too much with a touchless except for maybe the cab top. I did drive it through some of the worst rainstorms I've ever been in last Fall on the way to Vermont and had zero leaks. That was a great test I wouldn't have volunteered for!

I wouldn't let anyone touch either with car wash towels, ever.

 

this ^^^ (all of it)

 

I hadn't thought of that but too late to worry about it on the old(er) beast.