Deanski

ANother very valid point!!! Wheel size can be a big problem with these autowashes. If you do want to autowash, make sure they can accomidate your size wheels. Some can and some cannot.

I've seen more than I'd like to see on this issue, not only Porsche, but Z06 Vettes, Lambo, AMG Benz, etc.

Just use caution when looking into autowashing your Porsche. Always ask first if it can go through the tunnel due to the size of the wheels

Deanski

uzj100

ONR is a great product, and you can easily do your car in the garage. It leaves very little water behind and is a temendous time saver.

For extra dirty areas, you can mix it up in detail spray strength and apply it with a pesticide sprayer.

Coochas

I think we should stop this thread before my friend Ben has a heart attack reading it !!!!

I say NO on the car wash. When I first got my car, I ran it through some of those mechanical washes that do not have tracks for the car (i.e. the equipment moves around your car). Didn't screw up my paint BUT it did destroy a side view mirror after I had flicked it inwards pre-wash (thank God for warranties).

The power spray washes are a good way to go - just carry a nice MF towel or sheepskin mitt in your boot to scrub off the dirt. I did this for a while with good results.

Then, as Deanski said above, I went with the ONR 'rinseless' stuff which works great. You can wash your car right in your garage spot and only make tiny puddles on the floor with no contamination of neighbor's cars (if this is a consideration):
How to wash your car in your garage...

pongobaz

I'm sure you remember the car ...still looks new BTW.
I just went to a local "No-touch" car wash to get the winter grime off it and they did an amazing job for $12. It does use a track, but the owner modified it with a teflon/vinyl cover to eliminate any wheel damage. I asked if it could take an 11" wide wheel and they said no problem as they've had Lambos, Ferrari and P-cars go through with no problems. They have 5-6 guys at the end who wipe off any excess water from the sills and such after it's gone through the dryer. Try to find that kind of set-up in your area and make sure that they let you drive it onto the tracks yourself.

Azurro_California_911

I like it. To bad the color of the car is Azurro Cafilornia. Maybe I'll use it for my evil alter ego

nkhalidi

We have a fancy automated touchless car wash here, and they definitely do a thorough job, but I have to wonder about the chemicals they use to eat through all the dirt/grime on the car. They hand-dry after each wash, and I worry about swirls from residual dirt on the towels.

Tough chemicals + dirty towels = close my eyes and hope they don't ruin anything

Leader

The biggest danger to our cars from "pull/push-through" car washes is not to your paint - although that's certainly at risk in that situation (ever seen a detail guy clean your wheel, then rub your paint with the same rag? Arrrrgh!)

The real risk is to your wheels. As pointed out by Dan and bdmason, the channel through which cars are guided are often not wide enough for our wide wheels. You'll find the inside rims of your driver's side wheels will get scratched, scraped, and maybe even bent.

Most car washes will wash your car "outside the line" for a slightly higher fee. Just watch those guys with the rags doing the detail work...

Keista

IMHO, now that I am older and don't have enough free time to do the things I want to do, it is a waste of my time to just wash my car (by the time I'm done with it, it takes hours since I halfway thru it I automatically shift into 'detail' mode). But, I will gladly DRIVE (I want to spend time driving) 15 miles each way to a car wash facility that I know does lots of high-end cars and therefore is set up for wide wheels, lowered cars, no brushes, etc. Have had hit & miss luck with car wash guys that bring a van to you....

Phil G.

Agree totally - would NEVER run any high end car through an automated wash. If you can't or prefer not to do it yourself, pay someone to detail it. The damage to the wheels as the car travels along the tracks is all it took to convince me years ago not to go this route. In the winter, I go to a self-service power wash and use a sheepskin mitt and lots of fresh water. (And no, my P-car has never even seen one of these car washes since it's clean and put away for the winter).

gota911

Dave it's already waaaay too late for that! He probably passed out and keeled over when he read the just the TITLE of the thread!

Holli82

I'm giving Ben CPR right now

Coochas

Ben?...Ben?....Ben?....can you hear us?

speedread

Never use an automated wash. I ignored that and and did fine until one day I had to have one of my wheels resurfaced. Learn from my stupid people trick.

gravedgr

Its only a car. Do what makes you happy.

adfsouth

If you're going to use one, may I stress frequenting one that has padding (usually a blue foamlike substance) covering the wheel rails. It is a horrible feeling watching your car come out the other side with chewed up wheel edges.