dak911

Aside from the brushes and drying towels that are used in the Automatic car washes causing hairline scratches in the paint what is the problem with running a 996 through a MODERN "BRUSHLESS" car wash?

motoo344

Depends on the chemicals they use, is it air dried or do they dry it outside of the tunnel by hand? I honestly just let me car sit dirty until I get a chance to clean it, better safe than sorry.

Brian996

A car wash is necessary if your to old, disabled, no access to a hose or just plain lazy.

having said that I have been through the car wash with my cabriolet. No issues. We have a great touchless car wash a mile from me. So if I am being lazy or strapped for time this is a great option.
Nothing beats a good hand wash job.

DBJoe996

Read up on the various chemicals used. I don't take my car to touchless or any other car wash. Also, as our cars are approaching the 20 year old mark, spraying high pressure water on our cars can cause some really bad problems to surface. https://www.carwash.com/carwash-chemicals-101/

az968gpw

Interesting, the owners manual states not to take a cab through a car wash.

Agree, nothing beats a good hand job.

808Bill

And rim damage

dan_189

The odd water spray angles can cause issues.

I'd also advise not to use any automatic carwashes

MikeinBloomfield

The only reason I don't bring Brunhilde to the automatic car wash is because the last time I did that, the machine ripped off the front license plate and I had to buy a new one. I was just glad it didn't damage the bumper cover. Here in the northeast, if you drive your car in the winter I'd imagine getting all the road salt off the car is better than whatever damage chemicals might be doing to the paint.

parris

+1000

None of my cars have gone never to a car wash (with the exception of the company car )

NuttyProfessor

I've known quite a few people that have put their Porsches through one of these automatic washes to only regret it later due to damage for one reason or another. I wouldn't do it especially if it's motor brush type car wash. These cars are easy to clean. If you don't want to fool with it yourself, then take it to a professional detailing shop that don't use high pressure water or motor brush systems.

Neto

I take my 996 with aero kit through a touchless car wash near my house that does air dry only, not tower dry. Usually touchless car washes are not the best so using a towel to dry it and removing the excess dirt can cause more damage than good. Touchless car washes are not the best but the cars end up better than before.

NuttyProfessor

There is no such thing as "touchless" car washes.

porschedog

Just say Nein. (IMO)

245ster

Pretty much what Neto said... biggest issue I've had with the brushless automatic car washes I've been though is that they just aren't very good. They give the car the appearance of being clean from about 15 ft away, but up close you can still see road grime in certain areas.

Nickshu

Unless you physically can't wash your car, or you don't have a place to do it, I would use self-serve spray-off washes (using the soap and water options only) between proper hand washes. On all your cars, or at least any car that you remotely care how the paint wears and lasts long-term.