Has anybody taken their cars to one of those carwashes with the rails?

[mazdaspeed Mike]

you know, the ones that vacume your car and then sent it through then washer on in the rails. I was wondering if this will hurt our wheels?

 

[AGR]

you know, the ones that vacume your car and then sent it through then washer on in the rails. I was wondering if this will hurt our wheels?

No way would I take that chance. My baby will only be hand-washed / waxed by me!

 

[AFaceInTheCrowd]

my friend has a yukon with chrome 22s and he said he runs it through an automatic car wash when he is in a hurry and doesn't have time to wash it himself. i see nothing wrong with his rims. i think i would be safe.

 

[Newf]

I personally dont. But, if your REALLY careful, make sure the rims don't rouch. you should be ok

 

[t3ase]

my friend has a yukon with chrome 22s and he said he runs it through an automatic car wash when he is in a hurry and doesn't have time to wash it himself. i see nothing wrong with his rims. i think i would be safe.

A Yukon also has a higher sidewall, so the metal would rub the tire and not the rims. Please don't risk it with those rims. I had a 90 accord slammed with Rota MSR's on it and it only took once for me to hit the side and screw up the wheel.

 

[the_glassman]

Damn thing feels like it rides on rails.
Not worth possible damage to the wheels, paint, etc... if you ask me.

 

[2Rusty]

A Yukon also has a higher sidewall, so the metal would rub the tire and not the rims.

lol, I'll guarantee he's not running 70 series sidewalls with 22" wheels. (hand)

 

[Protege5 kid]

Well i'd like to claim that i've never taken it threw one of those...but up in t-dot there are weeks that go buy where it's way too dam cold to go to the coin wash and the car is covered with Salt

No problems for me going threw one of those(with stock rims)...and my car is lowered with ebiach no prob at all.

I would never take it thew the wash if i had my Tenzo's on...or any rim with a nice lip

 

[Natey]

you know, the ones that vacume your car and then sent it through then washer on in the rails. I was wondering if this will hurt our wheels?

Wheels? Maybe... Paint? Definately. Try to imagine all the crap that sticks to the brushes in those things. It's wiping the last guy's dirt/tar all over your car, scratching it.
If you love your car, take the time to clean it right. As a pro detailer, I've had to clean up plenty of cars that people put through those things. Swirl marks, tar on the paint, GOUGED WHEELS, not to mention the guy who vacuums. He usually takes all your change, roaches and CDs, while breaking off your rear-view mirror. :mad: **** That!
Cleaning gives you a chance to give the car the "once-over" for any dents or blemishes too, so that makes hand washing basic maintainance, IMHO

 

[Limited Edition]

I'm currently running on winter tires and steelies, and ever since i took delivery, i have been running it through the automatic car washes with rails. Although i know my sidewalls are much higher than stock setup, i have had NO problems at all what so ever...
It would be a risk taking to go through one with the RH's though. But if a 22" rim with low profile's can go through it w/o a problem, i'm sure it should be fine. I've had experience with my sister's prelude with 50 series tires, and the rims are still in top notch condition. Not a single rim rash at all. But anything lower, could be risk taking....I'm pretty sure it should be fine though.

I've never even washed my car by myself before.....it's too damn cold in Toronto lately.

 

[mazdaspeed Mike]

you make some good points Egg-man. I will go home and hand wash it tonight.

 

[charles]

you shouldn't automatic car wash it for the first six months of its life. the paint needs to harden.

Check out your manual... don't know what it says about the wheels though.

 

[nattyboy513]

i went to an up scale ($18.00 for "the works") automated car wash yesterday, in front of me in line was a brand new c5 corvette, a 7 series bmw and an suburban sitting on 20's. i had no problem, nor did they. there was a big sign in hte window that reads "NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR NON-STANDARD EQUIPMENT" so if they scratched my wheels it looks like they would have to pay for them because they are stock. well the car wash did a great job and i know most of the guys that work there so i think i will continue going untill the weater clears/warms up. the car looks great!

 

[I_Vtec]

I've got 17's and my wheel got a little scratched up from one of those places. I assume it was that, but I didn't notice till a couple of days later.

 

[boostisgood]

you all must not love your cars. The following is straight outta websters dictionary.

1 a (1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties <maternal love for a child> (2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests <love for his old schoolmates> b : an assurance of love <give her my love>
2 : warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of the sea>
3 a : the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration <baseball was his first love> b (1) : a beloved person : DARLING -- often used as a term of endearment (2) British -- used as an informal term of address
4 a : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of your car: as (1) :NEVER RUN YOUR CAR THROUGH AN AUTO CAR WASH.


If you use the coin-op-do-it-yourself ones DO NT USE THE BRUSH. Uber scratches with those rock laden, hard bristle terror to a cars finish. (This is the dedication to my car. I wash mine here in the COLD COLD winters. now thats love.)

The car washes that your car gets dragged through by the roller, well lest say I worked at one. First, most of them wont invest in a water osmosis/recyclic system (thats where the water is cleaned and re-used.) they just use the same dirty water for a week then refill their tanks. Second, those "soft cloth" spinners, are spinning at about 100 mph. you ever get snapped by a tpwel, they are soft cloth, and sting like s***.

Well ill stop ranting now. Its your car, show it how much you love it and brave the cold.

(mspo)

 

[Limited Edition]

do they really use the samne recycled water?
the water looks clean to me at the place i go to....I'm sure it's fresh water.
If not, that's REALLY cheap of them.

 

[Newf]

you shouldn't automatic car wash it for the first six months of its life. the paint needs to harden.

Considering how long the cars were sitting in the ports......I think they are safe.

 

[Limited Edition]

I second that newf.
But i'm sure even the newest of cars, can still go through one of those automatic car washes. The paint has got to be dry and harden before they leave any manufactuer. It''s not like the paint will fade or rinse off once the jet's start to hit the car...

 

[bigbillsfan]

i ran my mp3 through a touchless car wash a couple of time's last summer when i was in a hurry, and i didn't have any problems. i wouldn't recomend using them on a regular basis though, those high pressure jets can take a toll on the paint after a while.

 

[slug420]

i have been through a touchless wash like 3 times so far with my msp and hand washed it at the coin operated one with hig pressure hoses (didnt use the brush) a few times too......

my driveway is a pit of mud so until it dries out after the spring there is no hope for washing it at home