I was out today running errands and thought of going to a particular car wash. I opted not to because I wasn't sure if my stock Fit was high enough to avoid getting damaged by the rails (tires go in between) that guide your car "down the tunnel".

Has anybody here ever gone through one of them style car washes?

 

i have yet to see anyone recommend taking the fit through any mechanical car wash.

the paint is infamous for swirling... among other potential issues.

 

ouch... mechanical car wash sounds like a beating for a fit. honda paint is really soft paint to begin with, so it will definitely swirl or even scratch. your best bet is to give it a hand wash with 2 buckets. 1 bucket for soap, 1 bucket or water to rinse out your sponge before dipping back into the soap, that way you don't pick up dirt again on your sponge and rub it all over your paint and swirl it up! there's different kinds of soap and all that good stuff, i use a combination of different brands for different tasks. the Fit Care forum might help ya!

 

I'd recommend taking to a Touchless car wash to get the majority of grime off. There are some places that have a DIY touchless where the sprayers go around your car and you just sit parked in the middle. sprayer arms go out and around the car instead of your car being "pulled" through using those guides to keep it straight. I doubt those however would be an issue as the only place the guide would potentially rub is on the inside of the tire/wheel (Fit has a narrow track).

~SB

 

+1 on the Touchless Car Wash, that is the only kind I take mine to. Does a pretty good job, take a soft towel to dry your car off though. The dryer's usually suck.

 

Geez, it's only a car. In fact looking at the automotive world it's a very cheap car. The rails at our local car wash do not cause a problem.

 

My fit has the crystal black pearl and it's swirl city now. definitely go for the touchless. and when you wax make sure the buffer is clean.

 

to some like you a car is a tool.

to others a car is a deity to be worshiped upon.

i'm right in the middle.

 

The reason I was asking was because I wasn't sure if the Fit sat high enough. I didn't want to drive in only to have the car drug through damaging the spoiler, side rails, etc...

 

If you want to keep your paint from being swirled stay away from all car washes except for touchless (although I don't go to those either). I would just be careful because your car is low and the body kit if you own a Sport is going to take some abuse. I went through a car wash like this with my old Ford Pinto and it took off my front license plate - riped it right off the screws!

Cat :x

 

A pressure washer, microfiber wash-mit and a good synthetic chamois is the way my Fit gets washed. Good quality car soap is important too.

 

Very fine swirl marks are unavoidable. They are more noticeable on the black paint than any other colors.

I wonder if anyone still cares about them after few years of ownership.

 

I use touchless in the winter, only because I figure it's better than leaving the salt on it.

Barb

 

yeah. you're right. why take care of a silly $18,500 machine? i made my down payment in nickels and dimes.

 

You should be okay. Fit sport has ~6in of clearance if you need to measure. I too would recommend self washing in the spring, summer, and fall. Then go touchless in the winter if temps get down to freezing. I was very proud of my wax job as it has been holding up through the nasty winter and road salt thus far. Keep in mind those winter brushes can cause fine scratch marks as the nylon bristles can scratch paint. I'd recommend a foam snow 'pusher'

 

I take care of my silly machine but I'm not anal about it. I suppose if it was all I owned I would feel differently.

 

Nice quote. I agree.

 

Well, let's see, I tend to keep my cars for a while. My previous car was a 1991 GTI and still has the original paint, NO rust. If you take care of something it will last longer. You don't have to be anal about it, though in retrospect I guess I was for many years.

The fit will be well looked after and as it is black (third black car in a row) automatic washes have to be touchless. Once the car wash in our condo re-opens in the spring, we'll be hand washing her.

As for being anal about something, I guess my other Honda qualifies


So much chrome, so much fun....over 45,000 km in three years.

Barb

 

I understand your concern, I work at a carwash that uses a conveyor like you are referring to. Our rails on either side are probably 6" high (rough estimate), maybe even closer to 8". I run my Revolution Orange Fit through once a week and have no problems. The only car I think we have problems with (as far as stock suspension, not after-market) is the Genesis Coupe... I have heard horror stories of them scraping. As far as putting swirls in the clear coat... I'm not touching that one.

I will however tell you that if you have mud caked on the bottom of the car or something that we will not wash off because it will get stuck on our brushes, you can go to a self service and spray it off yourself and we will give you $6.95 off any wash, if you bring us a receipt. Maybe something around you offers a similar service?

~ For swirls in the paint, use a clay bar or a really good wax. I have used Zaino Brothers and it is amazing.

 

Sweet ride! Here's my 10 year old baby...