Thanks for the reply, Pete. If the rails are 6"-8" I will stay away from this car wash. I just didn't want to "be committed" once the automated portion of the car wash took over risking damage by being too low. Thanks again...

 

"It's only a car" is a poor excuse to not wash it and take care of it. And it is definitely not a very cheap car for everyone. Imagine the people who can't afford a Fit but would like to own one.

I for one do not like driving around when my car looks like crap. I cannot stand to see people who have nice cars that drive them around all dirty and not wash them for long periods of time. That's called being lazy. Nothing wrong with being lazy, but over time it can lead to neglect.

Take care of your car and it will take care of you is what I always say...

 

I for one do not trust auto car washes. Yes they are great for the environment knowing the water they use is recycled, but they are notorious for scratches.

I have only taken the Fit through a auto car wash twice. The first time left a nice hairline scratch on the roof. I thought it couldn't have been from the car wash so I went again about a month later. Another scratch. That sealed the deal.

If you care for the environment so much, than take it to an automatic wash. If you don't try and wash it yourself if you have access to a hose. Fortunately down the street from where I work, there is a car wash with a pay to use spray gun so I go there. I live in an apartment and don't have a hose. I can't stand it.

 

There is a 'hand wash' car wash near me that I always used for my old car. I'm still waiting to get my Fit but this is good info to know before it gets dirty. I never cared about scratches on my old car because it was pretty beat up. Anyway, this car wash has those pull along rails but all it does is spray soap at your car, then two guys who are in there in rubber overalls with big fluffy mitts literally rub up your car (I think they're lamb's wool mitts?) and then water rinses it off, then there's a wax sprayer if you pay extra for that and then a blow dryer. (I might be missing some steps here, I've watched this through the windows they have in the hallway next to the wash before). Then when the car comes out, a team of guys dry it with cloths. Would something like that be bad for the paint? Or kind of equivalent to me washing it in my driveway? (in december - brr!)

 

My comment about it being "only a car" in no way suggests not taking care of a car. It does suggest that I can't see the owner of a car being worried about taking his car to a car wash.

 

As I read responses, I looked at the original question which was asked by someone in Mass, a cold weather state. It also matters what you're trying to do with your car. Me, I have black, and it looks pretty close to showroom after 12 months, but I take care to make that happen. If your car is utility like mentioned in this thread, then take it to an autowash with brushes, it's easy, cheap and cleans your car. If you want a scratchless without swirls, avoid those washes like the plague.

So while advice about handwashing is good, it's not necessarily applicable when the weather is 20 degrees and your car is covered in salt. I can't go outside with my 2 buckets and wash it without my mitt freezing to my car.

I haven't seen a better option available to us in the cold north than a touchless car wash, either automated or by hand in a bay. No question you should listen to the advice to stay away from the auto washes with brushes=death to paint. The advantage I've found with the automated is that they're typically operated with auto doors as well, so at least the wash environment is relatively warm, and they'll also have options for waxes etc to at least provide some extra cleaning in lean, winter months. They also have blow driers as I'm not taking my microfiber towels to my car until I can get back to hand washing and ensuring it's actually free from debris.

When we get back to some reasonable temperature (not close to, or below freezing) I'll have my car in my driveway washing it with care, for now it's an autowash for it.

Good luck.

 

When it's way below freezing, I leave my car alone even if it's dirty. I'll wait until there's a warmer day. I've seen situations where frozen doors can't be opened without damage.

 

I sneak down to the self washing bays on really cold days and bucket wash. Then bring it home to dry off when I can't wash at home. I was really shocked in November when I got first place at our final car show for my paint. I normally clay bar in the spring and fall, and it gets waxed at least once or twice a month when I am showing it. I am planning to do the ultimate compound in the spring followed up with a good waxing. The paint looks pretty nice after taking these steps and keeping it garaged when I can but in time those swirls just keep coming back!

Cat :x

 

Ignoring the touch/touchless argument, the biggest risk with a car wash is the antenna; unscrew it before going through the tunnel of car love. No tools required.

 

No problem, but once again - I haven't had any problems so you should be fine.

 

Wow. There is so mis-information in this thread it makes me sick. I'm not even going to try. Besides its the reason I have job (see my sig).

 

Ok I have to...

1. Do not use a pressure washer, it will not clean any better than any nozzle. In fact you can take your clear coat off or embed the dirt into your paint.

2. Never, ever, ever go into a drive through car wash if it has brushes. Touchless are ok, but never really clean your car that well, and they use harsh chemicals that strip wax and dry out seals. Sort of like dishwashin soap.

3. Clay will not remove swirls or scratches. Wax will not remove swirls or scratches either. You do not buff in wax, you SOFTLY apply in back and forth motions, not circles.

4. Always always use the 2 bucket method. Only use microfiber towels for drying or anything.

5. To remove swirls you need polish. Menzerna is the most popular brand. Swirls are small scratches in the clear coat due to improper washing technique. You use the polish as liquid sandpaper to remove a fraction of clear coat that contains the defects.

6. Honda paint is soft, but swirls are 100% preventable by using 2 buckets, pre soaking, clean and correct kind of microfiber towels, maintenance and proper surface protection. Its all about technique. Swirls look like shit and make your car look so much older and abused.

7. I recommend people join Autopia - Autopia Home or read the articles on We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store if they are really serious about taking care of their paint.

Or if your local come pay me a visit.

 

I'd double-check the height. the VW Taureg is just 6.5" of ground clearance and I'm sure you guys don't cater to just the SUV/Truck crowd. i'd say it is probably closer to 4" in height. Jeeps and subaru outbacks/foresters are only in the 7-8" range.

~SB

 

Hmm, this is the first time I've ever heard any danger with pressure washers. I could see if it was on needle point. But a normal household pressure was her used at a safe distance from the paint is surely an okay way to pre-wash / rinse? I do usually finish off with just the hose though so I can sheet the majority of the water off then follow up with a silicone blade. Is this a serious danger?

 

Well the thing is that it will not remove sediment any better than a regular nozzle. And 95% of the times people hold it a couple inches from their paint. Dont need to go further into detail about what happens when you do that. Its not that its bad, just dont be an idiot about it. I have a pressure washer but still use a regular nozzle on all my details. Using softer pressure assures it will slide off the paint with the water rather than splashing everywhere and possibly landing on another part of the car. Or pointing the pressure washer at the floor and it kicking up debris. I dont know, I just say stay away from them to prevent any kind of damage or mistake.

Although that silicone blade is the worst way to dry. Sorry bro If a tiny piece of dirt falls on the paint while your drying, its game over. Youll drag that across your entire paint and scratch the crap out of it. Watch this entire video for examples of what happens:

YouTube - Fifth Gear 15x01 Car Wash

I hate drying, but when I dry I use my 265mph blower to get the majority of all the water off. Also it gets the water out of the crevices like door jambs and mirrors that way you dont get any streaks. After that I use a waffle weave microfiber drying towel, the only towel recommended for drying as it has 'pockets' to catch any dirt or dust that may have fallen on.

Also as you mentioned, sheeting is a very good idea and saves lots of time. Especially if you have a good layer of wax on there. Basically just remove the nozzle and go from top to bottom guiding the water down. Like so:

YouTube - Water beading and sheeting dry with hose

 

Damn, lol. I loved that California blade. When I'm done with it I usually only need to use 1 microfiber towel to dry the whole car. Doing door jams last. I've yet to see the blade causes any noticeable scratches in the CC but I've probably just been lucky. I suppose I could still use it for the windows. We have very hard water where I live and you must be extremely fast when drying to prevent spots even in the shade on a cloudy high humidity day.

 

I use optimum no rinse when its really hot out, it has a chemical which softens the water and pretty much eliminates water spots. Otherwise I just haul ass, put the car in the garage and dry the windows asap. I usually end up with waterspots anyways. Just a quick once over with stoners invisible glass and there good. If the waterspots are really hard on there just use a clay bar and it should remove em.

 

i've become fond of my local touchless in recent times. car looks good, although as was already mentioned, it's not the best for heavy grime. living in an urban area, going in once every couple of weeks for a regular wash schedule seems to work well though...

 

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