I was just wondering if its ok to wash your car through the car wash machine without damaging the paint, clear coat..etc. I'm not talking about the cheapo gas station car wash but rather an established place that uses the machine then have people clean and wipe down the car afterward. I usually go to those places but have them hand wash my car rather than have the machine do it. It's getting time consuming, especially with three cars.
Just wondering what other people are doing and if it's a good idea or not. Any thoughts?

 

I won't even wash my Honda at a car wash . Even though it's "touchless" the chemicals are strong enough to strip away the wax layers . That's actually how it can clean a car without touching it . Plus they are cheap and geared only to make the car look clean in the moment.

Beyond the chemicals , the suction of the dryer is very strong . I even heard of one story where a guy had his back window shattered by the strength of the dry cycle.

Then the car comes out of the wash and gets the final dry with abrasive filthy used cloths. This creates swirls .

Lastly they vacuum the car dripping sweat into the cabin only to spray it with cheap fragrance .

I would not hand them my car if they paid me .

 

Hand wash only. Preferably, by your own hand. I don't trust those guys to use clean towels/quality cleaners whereas I know for a fact that my stuff is good to go.

Head on down to Griot's website and get some supplies. Spend some quality time with your ride(s).

My neighbors (mostly the teenagers) always seem to be passing by the house, checking things out, as I'm washing the car out on the driveway.

 

[quote=coco0045;3190084]I was just wondering if its ok to wash your car through the car wash machine

You're asking that question on this site ? Very funny .

 

One word answer........NEVER!

 

The closest my Porsche will ever get to an "automatic" car wash is the one where I'm holding the spray wand. If I am on the road/vacation I plan ahead and bring my own car wash and bucket (screw the car wash's rule about no buckets or hand washing), a tire brush and plenty of my own cotton towels. I use the car wash to wet the car and to rinse it off. I'm still doing all the work in the middle.

The newer do-it-yourself car washes are not that bad and help us **** retentives keep the ride looking good all the time.

 

I'd also worry about the tire guide and whether the wide tires would fit or rub plus the low undercarriage and if it will clear everything. Big no to automated car washes.

 

+1 to all the comments above. Even at the "best" auto-washes, I've seen the wipe-down guys drop a cloth on the ground, pick it up, and continue wiping the car down. Automatic scratches & swirls.

 

I only take cars I don't care about to car washes like our DD Honda Ody and Acura MDX. The Mercedes and Porsche gets hand washed only.

 

We take the Suburban and the Passat wagon in all the time - in fact - we're on an unlimited plan so the Suburban goes in at least once/wk. However, the pcar is handwash only

 

Don't do it!!!

 

no, its not ok.
it will damage ur paint, clear coat...etc.

Personally, if i was leasing the car for few years.. or didn't have 19" rims with low profile tires, i'd be tempted to run in thru the car wash.. especially the cayenne

However, my Pcar is so small, its very easy to wash.
i actually get a pleasure out of washing/waxing my Pcar

 

Washing a Porsche 911 is a sensuous experience. Why would you leave that to a machine and risk ruining her beautiful dress? Instead, take pleasure in doing it or leave it to the rain.

Yves

 

Lets start off by saying I don't bring my baby through the car wash.

BUT....

I have a friend who is not as particular as I am about cars and he brings his -Black- M3 through the car wash near me.

Hes been bringing it to this car wash for a few years now... and I cant say he has more swirls than my car. The paint job still looks pretty damn good. After a good polishing it looks brand spanking new really.

This ALWAYS tempts me to bring my car to an automatic car wash thinking "if his car is fine, I dont think itll hurt mine...". Well, I chicken out every time, and go back to hand washing it.

Time consuming yes, but I just skimp out on washing the other 2 cars

Edit: I forgot to add that I just got my power washer in the mail this week. I cant wait to try it out on her.

 

Man, I need a cigarette.