DO NOT take your cabriolet through an automated car wash!
05-01-2018, 05:08 PM
#1
DO NOT take your cabriolet through an automated car wash!
I know, it's probably heresy here, but one day you might be short of time, headed out for the golf course on Sunday and wanting to park a nice, shiny car at the club. That's what happened to me. It was one of those old style washes with huge roller brushes top and sides. I bought the cheapest wash as I thought it would be shortest. It started and soon those giant rollers were pummeling my car like Helga the Swedish masseuse. I prayed my whale tail would stay on and exited after what seemed like an eternity. When I tried the put the top down, it failed just shy of completion, as it made a weird thump and the side body panels wouldn't close. The motors kept trying to no avail. I raised and lowered it again and watched closely- the right rear corner seemed a little off and hit the rear deck corner first. I raised the top halfway and gently pulled from the inside, then tried again. The motors had to take a second shot at it, but they got it done. I left it down overnight to restore the "memory" and it now works fine. I feel like I owe my car an apology!
05-01-2018, 10:57 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Damn, that reminds me of the days we were young and foolish. Me and a bunch of other 20 YO guys rented a lake cottage for a long weekend of consuming alcoholic beverages. At some point, we decided Tony's 52 Mercury convertible needed washing, so we drove it into the lake!
05-01-2018, 11:47 PM
#5
Three Wheelin'
Get something like Griot's speed shine and correct soft towels and spend less than 10 min to achieve totally clean car (including wheels). Course if really dirty need waterless cleaner and it takes longer, at which point might as well wash it. But don't put top down while wet.
Purists will scream using product like speed shine and cloths will swirl the paint. I keep good wax on car and don't expect concours paint. It's a driver. Very very pristine but pebble beach isn't my goal. Beuatiful clean car I can drive like crazy is only goal.
But no car wash please. Can achieve clean car in same amount of time without the car wash issues.
Purists will scream using product like speed shine and cloths will swirl the paint. I keep good wax on car and don't expect concours paint. It's a driver. Very very pristine but pebble beach isn't my goal. Beuatiful clean car I can drive like crazy is only goal.
But no car wash please. Can achieve clean car in same amount of time without the car wash issues.
05-02-2018, 08:24 AM
#6
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I hope that old school car wash didn't gave the wheel tracks too or you're in for a 2nd surprise next time you pull your wheels off - scratches on the lips on both the inside and likely the outside.
I'd park it dirty before taking it through an automated car wash.
I'd park it dirty before taking it through an automated car wash.
05-02-2018, 09:35 AM
#7
I went through a toucheless once and even that scared the %$# out of me. It didn't have any wheel tracks, so I wasn't concerned. I can only imagine what your experience was like.
At least we know our cabs don't leak!
At least we know our cabs don't leak!
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05-02-2018, 02:55 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
I roll my coupe through automated washes all the time...the ones with the tracks and everything.
I used to be all crazy about car detailing (I once spent 4 days straight detailing a car). With this car I'll get started washing (and disassembling) it for a massive paint correction/creases/crevices/sweep/fenderwell/trunk/wheels-off job and then decide I'd rather be driving...and then drive to the car wash.
I used to be all crazy about car detailing (I once spent 4 days straight detailing a car). With this car I'll get started washing (and disassembling) it for a massive paint correction/creases/crevices/sweep/fenderwell/trunk/wheels-off job and then decide I'd rather be driving...and then drive to the car wash.