Car Wash - Or Not?

[SooZ]

some weeks its not easy to get to the pressure washer because of work or lousy weather,

I have never used an automatic car wash before, are they ok and safe enough for paintwork etc

and do they do a job as good as, or better than, hand wash, or a pressure washing bay?

yours inquisitively,

SooZ :)

[SJandMR2]

I used to use them all the time but the scratches are very potential risk, I went to a hand wash one last week that promised no scratches and still there was very fine scratches all over it and I spent the afternoon T-cutting. So have made the decision - no more, have ordered loads of wheely good products from a website www.wheelygoodstuff.co.uk and am gonna look after my car a lot better.

SJx

[T600]

I used to use them when I had a company car, but would never put my own car through one.

They may not scratch the car badly but in my experience they definitely create swirls in the paintwork which I hate.

It depends whether you want your paintwork to be perfect, or are happy for it to look a bit shabby.

[miss_d_bus]

I think you might need to remove the antenna off the car first!?

[PaulGP]

I would'nt dream of using a car wash at all (car only 5 weeks old). I have washed it once a week so far - only a 10 minute job with Turtle wax zip wash & waxed it once with Turtle wax original - it comes up sparkling.

I have noticed that the back particulary gets dirty fairly quickly especially after it has rained. Can anyone recommend something they use that keeps the dirt to a minimum.

Also - is it a good idea to jet wash underneath the car once in a while?

[aygo-bloo]

Also - is it a good idea to jet wash underneath the car once in a while?

I only jet wash underneath the car when there is salt on the roads, and then only once a fortnight. The nozzle should never be concentrated on the drive shaft (CV) rubber boots or electrical wires. Jet washing can do more harm than good if mis-used. Also, I would never use one on the paint work unless the nozzle power was reduced to a minimum. ............Just my 2d worth......

[SooZ]

jet wash is fine and prolly better than a hand wash as the initial pre-wash will remove any small grit and road detrius from the paintwork prior to shampooing, any jetwash is ok IMO as long as you keep a sensible distance from the paintwork, bucket and sponge alone might work small grit and grime into the paintwork unless it is removed first :)

[T600]

jet wash is fine and prolly better than a hand wash as the initial pre-wash will remove any small grit and road detrius from the paintwork prior to shampooing, any jetwash is ok IMO as long as you keep a sensible distance from the paintwork, bucket and sponge alone might work small grit and grime into the paintwork unless it is removed first :)

+1

Keep it away from brakes and tyres too, and if you have any rust or dodgy paintwork you have to be very careful.

But apart from that, jet wash is good as a pre-wash, and for rinsing too, and definitely reduces the chance of scratches.

Underneath you have to be very careful with the jet wash, but cleaning salt off after the winter is definitely a good idea. My last jet wash had an attachment you could use to spray underneath the car with low pressure, but unfortunately it won't fit my new jet wash :(

[BadBoyVTEC]

I always goto the hand car wash round the corner from me and they always do a great job.

It goes:

1.Jetwash

2.Soap

3.Jetwash

4.Something in a pump spray bottle

5.Jetwash again

6.Hand-dry etc...

They are great and make it look brand new everytime and the interior (spray with nice fruity smelling shiny dashboard spray.)

[T V O R]

Car Wash - Or Not?

NOT