Car washes - safe or not?

[OkieRich]

Bonus: The "air dry" can be fun too

I normally use the pressure washer and foam cannon in the warmer months. I like being able to take my time with it, but I agree that the hassle of getting everything set up can be a chore.

Yes, sir. You have to self-motivate to go thru the set-up chores. Once I get everything prepped, I’m more than ready to “get it on.” Besides, I like the looks I receive from neighbors as they pass by and see a foam-encapsulated vehicle in the driveway.

 

[Conrad 16.5]

Great idea. I have (in the past) taken a bucket with my micro fiber sponges and soap with me. I use the “spot free” rinse to fill the bucket part way and agitate the soap. Use remaining time to get the car wet with normal spray. Have to work with some expediency before the soap dries. Rinse off with a second spray, then flip the selector switch to Spot Free. Drive on the highway approx 5-10 minutes to air dry. Works good enough to please me.

When the weather improves, I sometimes use my power washer and foam cannon. Does a spectacular job. But such a hassle to get the hose, hookups, etc. But since I’m retired, I need something to do and always pleased with the results. In that regard, it’s worth it.

After washing I use my electric leaf blower to dry the car. Even after taking the car for a quick spin to dry it off it still has water in the nooks and crannies.

If you're going to wax the car you don't want to take the car for a drying off spin. You'll collect dust and grit on the paint and that's a no no.

 

[OkieRich]

After washing I use my electric leaf blower to dry the car. Even after taking the car for a quick spin to dry it off it still has water in the nooks and crannies.

If you're going to wax the car you don't want to take the car for a drying off spin. You'll collect dust and grit on the paint and that's a no no.

Right you are, sir. I have done that in the past with my gas-powered leaf blower. I was amazed at the amount of water still resting inside the roof channels. As luck would have it, I stumbled onto a relatively new electric Craftsman blower at a garage sale. That’s easier than lifting the gas-powered model above your shoulders to dry the roof.

 

[smartblonde]

I have an unlimited wash plan and take my Machine Gray GTR through 1-2 times per week. No issues whatsoever. I'm thinking that any BLACK vehicle would have an issue with swirl marks though.

I have a 2023 Machine Gray and driving home the other day it got covered in highway salt from our first snow. It's too cold for me to hand wash now and I was planning to sign up for a month-to month unlimited plan at a local soft-touch car wash for Dec - Feb. Is your car finish still good? Thanks!

 

[nickswhip24]

I have a 2023 Machine Gray and driving home the other day it got covered in highway salt from our first snow. It's too cold for me to hand wash now and I was planning to sign up for a month-to month unlimited plan at a local soft-touch car wash for Dec - Feb. Is your car finish still good? Thanks!

i would say no, go to a touchless car wash if available...they cost more but its the brushes that do the damage...you could bring a bucket of your detailing stuff and get close to a handwash

 

[smartblonde]

Well, it was 22ºF here with 20mph winds yesterday, so I went thru the car wash--and NO swirls (or anything else) that I could see. I hope that this is the last car I own--we have a 2010 Tacoma also--so I'm more concerned about salt damage than a few swirls.

 

[stickerbush]

Touchless car washes are about as good as driving in the rain.

 

[smartblonde]

Touchless car washes are about as good as driving in the rain.

 

[GFrosty]

Well, it was 22ºF here with 20mph winds yesterday, so I went thru the car wash--and NO swirls (or anything else) that I could see. I hope that this is the last car I own--we have a 2010 Tacoma also--so I'm more concerned about salt damage than a few swirls.

Same here, in my case.

My own choice, due to my aging years and the fact that in my area the winters can get nasty cold with salt/brine on the road, etc. Generally speaking, during those conditions a touchless spray wash service is about the only way to get the car basically clean.

Helps, too, that I've got the whole underside guarded with a quality undercoating.

Every several years, I re-do the mild polishing of the finish and then re-apply the coatings. Haven't gone for a graphene or ceramic coating, nor paint protection films. But so long as I keep it well-protected with "wax" coating over the paintwork, it holds up well.

My own vehicle is the Crystal White Pearl Mica (#34K), a far cry from one of the darker blues or black for sheer swirl enjoyment. But what minor defects are there are kept to a bare minimum with the occasional light polishing and the regular application of coatings.

 

[Lazy2.5]

I suggest just going to a self-serve car wash if you can find one. theyre great for winter use @smartblonde. Pressure wash, focus underneath the car as best you can. Bring some clean wash mitts and carefully wipe off remaining dirt. Pressure wash again. Work a thick layer of quality wax into the paint. Bring a few clean rags and ensure you're not rubbing grit into your paint as best you can. That's all you really need.

 

[smartblonde]

I suggest just going to a self-serve car wash if you can find one. theyre great for winter use @smartblonde. Pressure wash, focus underneath the car as best you can. Bring some clean wash mitts and carefully wipe off remaining dirt. Pressure wash again. Work a thick layer of quality wax into the paint. Bring a few clean rags and ensure you're not rubbing grit into your paint as best you can. That's all you really need.

Thanks--I will do that when I can, but at 70 if the weather is brutal I'll probably still run it thru the car wash if I have a ton of salt.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Thanks--I will do that when I can, but at 70 if the weather is brutal I'll probably still run it thru the car wash if I have a ton of salt.

Better than leaving it on the paint. lol

 

[Dxdave]

Not.

 

[N7turbo]

Better than leaving it on the paint. lol

Actually, I'd rather leave it on the paint than have brushes scrape it around.

 

[ADS-B]

I have membership at BlueWave Express Carwash and I'm satisfied with it.

 

[BoomerZoomr]

My previous vehicle was a 2012 Toyota RAV4… which I once took through an automated car wash with the spinning brushes.

There is a channel above the doors, that runs the length of the roof on each side. This channel is filled by a plastic/rubber trim piece.

About a week later, I noticed one of mine was missing. I believe the car wash brush bristles got caught down between the trim piece and roof, and ripped it off. I ordered another one from the dealer and easily replaced it.

This same type of trim piece is on both my Mazda vehicles… I don’t do automated car washes anymore.

 

[Lazy2.5]

Actually, I'd rather leave it on the paint than have brushes scrape it around.

I'm talking about using a pressure washer, not having a car wash brush m*olest my paint.

 

[Point37]

never been to a carwash with any of my cars...part because i'm cheap and part because i don't want to mess up the paint...it gets cold here but there is sometimes a break in the weather when i can wash it at the end of the driveway and hopefully not turn it into an ice skating rink...at a minimum on a day where the temp is above freezing after a longer drive i would at least hose it down to get the salt off then park it in the garage to dry...the garage is not heated but is insulated so the heat from the engine helps to dry it a little

 

[sm1ke]

IMO car wash brush washes are never good for any reason, even if your car just has a bit of salt on it. Regardless of how good the brushes are at whipping dirt and grit embedded fibers into your paint, they always tend to miss a spot or two. On most cars it tends to be in the license plate recesses and/or right below the trunk spoiler.

What's worked for me through many years of salty, sandy winters is an indoor self-serve wand wash. I used to just rinse the car off really well with the pressure washer, but with my newer cars I'll also bring my own towels, spray some soap on the car and do a quick contact wash, followed by a rinse. I just got an electric pump foamer/sprayer so I'm looking forward to trying that out next time I need to wash the car. I'd basically foam, rinse, then foam again, contact wash, and rinse. Then dry the door jambs and weatherstripping and be on my way.