Is it safe to go through a car wash?
#62
Race Director
Automatic car washes spray water at odd angles and high pressures, which are not seen in normal driving. Therefore, water can sometimes find its
way into the passengers compartment during or shortly after the car wash.
#63
Race Car
An option is to take it to the dealer. They have their various detail packages and could do it for you in their heated facilities for about $150 & up
#64
The newer "express" CW's are plenty safe. The tunnel equipment uses cloth and fiber...virtually impossible to swirl clearcoat. Tracks are plenty wide enough for wheels/tires. I run my 4x4 thru with very big tires...not a problem. Find one in your area but make sure the tunnel of equipment is fairly new..3-4yrs. I have some experience in the express-exterior CW business.
Full Disclosure: I don't run my 997 thru the wash, not because of anything else but that I have hand-washed it since mile 8....it's my
therapy!
Full Disclosure: I don't run my 997 thru the wash, not because of anything else but that I have hand-washed it since mile 8....it's my
therapy!
#66
Official Rennlist Snake Slayer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Even if you make it out of the wash without additional swirls, rim damage, etc., the detergents they use likely stripped all the wax off your car, and sprayed your car with who knows what is in their "waxes", and "spot-free rinses".
Ok for my DD I leave at the airport during monsoon season, but not for the porsche.
Ok for my DD I leave at the airport during monsoon season, but not for the porsche.
#68
I think this coffn has so many nails in it, the wood has turned to lead.
#69
The newer "express" CW's are plenty safe. The tunnel equipment uses cloth and fiber...virtually impossible to swirl clearcoat. Tracks are plenty wide enough for wheels/tires. I run my 4x4 thru with very big tires...not a problem. Find one in your area but make sure the tunnel of equipment is fairly new..3-4yrs. I have some experience in the express-exterior CW business.
Full Disclosure: I don't run my 997 thru the wash, not because of anything else but that I have hand-washed it since mile 8....it's my
therapy!
Full Disclosure: I don't run my 997 thru the wash, not because of anything else but that I have hand-washed it since mile 8....it's my
therapy!
The problem with car washes is that the last guys dirt/sediments end up in between your car's paint their brushes and fibers. No car wash comes completely clean after each run.
#72
Sure I'd take that bet! Swirls develop via circular or semi-circular motion.....no equipment in any of my washes, except for my tire/wheel cleaners, moves in a circular or semi-circular motion.
BTW, no car, washed mechanically or by hand, comes "completely" clean...
Oh....and "swirls" are more of a direct result of hand-drying....not washing.
That being said...my washes blow more than 50 horses of clean air and dry 95% of any vehicle that passes thru....the remaining 5% will dry spot- free a mile down the road...no towels to induce swirling...
BTW, no car, washed mechanically or by hand, comes "completely" clean...
Oh....and "swirls" are more of a direct result of hand-drying....not washing.
That being said...my washes blow more than 50 horses of clean air and dry 95% of any vehicle that passes thru....the remaining 5% will dry spot- free a mile down the road...no towels to induce swirling...
so if someone bet you that it would induce swirls you'd be willing to take that bet and run your car through the express wash?
The problem with car washes is that the last guys dirt/sediments end up in between your car's paint their brushes and fibers. No car wash comes completely clean after each run.
The problem with car washes is that the last guys dirt/sediments end up in between your car's paint their brushes and fibers. No car wash comes completely clean after each run.
#73
Racer
Hate to resurrect this subject but after taking mine through a local car wash I now have three dime size scrapes on the front wheel from where it did not line up with the track properly as I was driving into the entrance. The attendant who was supposed to be directing me in and making sure my wheels were lined up was apparently thinking about other things at the time.
#74
Rennlist Member
#75
Rennlist Member
I won't even speak to wheel damage.
In my experience automatic washes are bad for paint. In case of my BMW, the rate of paint chips seemingly increased by 4x when I started to use the car wash. So I'm back to hand washes only.
There was a never a question the Pcar would be only hand washed.
In my experience automatic washes are bad for paint. In case of my BMW, the rate of paint chips seemingly increased by 4x when I started to use the car wash. So I'm back to hand washes only.
There was a never a question the Pcar would be only hand washed.