Automated Car Washes: Yea or Nay?

[2004G35Coupe]

I've always been one to handwash all my vehicles, but as I've gotten older (and married, and a father, etc) and my free time has gotten smaller and smaller, I will admit that I have partaken of the occasional automated car wash.

My Dad had always instilled in me that automated car washes were basically "The devil" and would scratch the finish or otherwise ruin your prized possession. Of course, that mantra was reinforced by the fact that I had to hand wash all the family cars as a youth, sometimes having them lined up 3-4 in a row for a good solid 2+ hours of car washing...

So, old habits being hard to break...when I do give in, I still only opt for the "touch free" style of car washes that use the high pressure water instead of the tassle-looking things that are draped over your car (and presumably scratching it with all the grime that they have picked up from OTHER cars).

My question is though, what do others think of these places? I'm sure for a detailed job you'd want to do things by hand, and the same for wax job...but the occasional "in between" car wash to keep your G35 looking good?

[zozoka1212]

I usually handwash my G, but occasionally I take it to touch free washing. I would never take it o the other one for sure. I have an OB. I want to keep it swirl free.

zozo

[G_whizz]

I go touchless on occasion... especially in winter

[joe603]

Do NOT take your car through an auto car wash!! It will scratch your paint. Like G_whizz mentioned, touchless ones are ok, just watch your rims!

It takes me an hour to wash and dry by hand...not too much time really.

If you really don't have the time, there are businesses that hand wash-for a fee of course

[SVTCOBRA]

I've never used a car wash. Always hand washed my cars.

G/Joe,Will the touch-less remove your polish???I have eleven trillion coats of zaino on them....or somewhere close to...

[abdoman]

I think the touchless car washes are fine. I take my car to the "spot free" car wash and wand wash it quite often. The less you touch your car, the less likely you are to scratch the clear coat.

[joe603]

Touchless will not remove polish/wax...but they seldom do a good job of cleaning the car.

[2004G35Coupe]

Okay, expanding on that original question a bit...

With the touchless washes, the more costly options include "rainx" and "clear coat protectant" and all sorts of other options that add to, and eventually double, the cost of the basic $5 wash. Are any of those chemicals dumped on the car harmful in any manner?

Also, does any one have any links to studies done on this? I'd imagine if car washes were known to be harmful, there would be all sorts of law suits filed, considering our present litigious society.

[zozoka1212]

If I take it to the touchless I always use that option. As G mentioned it especially winter time. Does clean it under the car plus put a shiny coat on it. Here is only $2 extra.

Zozo

[zippyslug31]

Ok, I'll be the first to fess up.... I do it! (*hanging head in shame*)

My wife has always taken her QX4 through it and it looks ok.... not great, but no "damage" to speak of.With my G, you can most definitely see swirl marks, but what can I say, I like it clean.And I just so happen to take it through a touchless this last time for the first time. A dude scrubed the wheels and the lower body with a hand brush, but I was thinking right away "touchless????" and then you drive though this tunnel of high power spray nozels. Got a few tiny leaks squirting in. I'm almost more worried about the water damage to the engine with that high power water going everywhere! Maybe it would screw with electrical? Hard to say.

But I rolled out, and 2 guys hand dried it. Gotta love that personal touch that a machine can't compete with.

So.... I say take it through any wash, but just be aware that, yes, you will get small swirl marks that your average person likely won't notice. Come on.... it's a car and meant to be driven and enjoyed, not coddled! My paint may not look "showroom", still looks "incredibly good" even in the sun.

[xerexabante]

Taking your car to an automated wash will Warp your Rotors!

[zozoka1212]

But I rolled out, and 2 guys hand dried it. Gotta love that personal touch that a machine can't compete with

I wouldn't mind to take my G where the 2 girls washing my G topless. But it is hard to find a place like that. Let me know guys if you find one. Little wet t shirt competition is good too.

zozo

[2004G35Coupe]

There was a place here in my town that did the bikini wash...it was kind of a bar/restaurant too, sort of like a Hooter's type place. Seems like it was pricey ($20+( from what I heard...I'm sure they didn't do such a great job.

As for studies done on this, here's one I found, it was done by the University of Texas, but it's being promoted by auto-car-wash proponents for obvious reasons:

http://www.marlinscarwash.com/...y.pdf

Pertty interesting read though.

[zozoka1212]

There was a place here in my town that did the bikini wash...it was kind of a bar/restaurant too, sort of like a Hooter's type place. Seems like it was pricey ($20+( from what I heard...I'm sure they didn't do such a great job.

They use body wash

zozo

[zippyslug31]

They use body wash

zozo

what gremlin are we suppose to use for "rim shot"?

[2004G35Coupe]

Let's face it, the local "raise money for the cheerleaders" car washes that pop up all over the place on Saturday mornings is basically the same thing. :-)

[zozoka1212]

cheerleaders..hmm..I am in

zozo