automated car wash = the grinder

Automated Wash = Swirls - less shine

http://www.autogeek.net/opnoriwash12.html

So, you've spent over $120K (I'm assuming) on a CTT, I would spend just a bit more on a good car washing system. I just moved into a new house and the water there is very hard. It forced my hand to buy a filtration system and I'm glad I did. It was totally worth it. The CTT has never been shinier after a wash and I no longer have to dry after washing which saves tons of time. Drying probably takes more than half the time of washing. Here is the filtration system I bought:

Guys - relax. I only ever bring the Cayenne in to touch-less car washes (high speed water only). My question was about wheels (and wheel width) primarily...

Thanks

jmac

Even high pressure washes can strip the wax/clearcoat if done enough. Imagine using a high pressure wash on your skin, eventually you will tear the top layer of your skin off. I know that's an extreme analogy but you get the idea. You're better off using a low pressure wash and doing it by hand if you really want to keep the nice clearcoat/paint. But if you're not as fanatical about it, then ya a touchless wash would probably do but I'd worry about scratching the wheels in the conveyor.

Strangely, I was reading in a 2012 Mercedes manual that says touch-less car washes should be avoided due to the use of harsh detergents. Don't know who to believe now...

I avoid all automatic car washes as much as possible. There are some times in the winter when I'll run the Cayenne through the touchless wash, but it's rare.

I take my Cayennes through them all the time. The 911s on the other hand get hand washed by a friends son. Both have swirls. I used to use the two bucket system, crspotless, blower to dry, etc. Then I realized I was putting too much time in a depreciating asset.

Not sure about your situation, but my black Cayenne does not have swirls on it. Are you using any wax or sealant? I put sealant just a couple of days after I got the Cayenne and maybe that's what's preventing the swirls.

I have the turbo and same wheels. They have fit fine for me in most automated car washes. While I don't really like these car washes... i take my car thru there whenever it needs a wash... and it generally has been fine and is a lot easier than hand washing it myself.

I agree, hand washing isn't for everyone. If I were "rich", I'd pay someone to wash it for me, but unfortunately I'm not so this is my way of babying the car. My thinking is, you've spent so much on the car, so why not spend a small fraction of that on good cleaning products and water filtration. Once you get the water filtration system, your car washing time drops by at least half because you don't need to dry it. It comes out spot free and in fact, it's held it's shine much longer than I've ever had it before getting the system.

If it is a light colored car, it won't be an issue.