How bad are drive through car washes?

[cor302]

Does it take a toll on a car if you do it once a month?

[46Tbird]

They're pretty good if you don't mind dragging someone else's dirt across your paint. :D Yes they can screw up your paint pretty bad, but nothing a real detailing can't fix.

[BadCompany V.P WS6]

Are you talking about a touchless car wash?

If not, yes they are pretty harsh on your paint. Think of all the dirt on other folks' vehicles that doesn't get cleaned off the material touching your paint and dragging it across there. I'm sure they make for badass custom racing stripes :p

[Badass2000gt]

I just go through the touchless car wash and not worry about it. :cool:

[Nick Chapman]

I just go through the touchless car wash and not worry about it. :cool:


The soap in the touchless is extremely strong. It will reduce the life of your wax.

[Badass2000gt]

The soap in the touchless is extremely strong. It will reduce the life of your wax.
Damnit Nick. I hate hand washing my big ass truck. :mad:

[cor302]

So I take it that hand washing is the best way. What soap do you recommend.

[Badass2000gt]

So I take it that hand washing is the best way. What soap do you recommend.
Cascade. :cool:

[BadCompany V.P WS6]

CAR wash soap.

Hence the name. ;)

Anything that foams up really nice that is CAR wash soap.

[Nick Chapman]

CAR wash soap.

Hence the name. ;)

Anything that foams up really nice that is CAR wash soap.


Bingo! ;)

[95snake]

i pay 35 bucks to get our car washed and detailed every week, we havent had any issues with the paint.

[Who Needs 8]

They're pretty good if you don't mind dragging someone else's dirt across your paint. :D Yes they can screw up your paint pretty bad, but nothing a real detailing can't fix.

True, Good Wax/Regular Waxing (every 6 months) will protect against any damage that could be caused from a drive-thru car wash once or twice a month on an OEM paintjob.



Now, a custom paint job . . . Hell NO don't use a drive-thru.

[Nick Chapman]

True, Good Wax/Regular Waxing (every 6 months) will protect against any damage that could be caused from a drive-thru car wash once or twice a month on an OEM paintjob.



Now, a custom paint job . . . Hell NO don't use a drive-thru.


Sorry, I'm gonna have to disagree with you. Can you please explain a little on what your reasoning is behind this theory?

Nick

[89gt-stanger]

True, Good Wax/Regular Waxing (every 6 months) will protect against any damage that could be caused from a drive-thru car wash once or twice a month on an OEM paintjob.



Now, a custom paint job . . . Hell NO don't use a drive-thru.

I have to disagree. Even if you have a nice coat of wax, or sealant on the paint, severe damage will occur on washes where there is contact. Having stiff bristles rubbing against the finish, will instill hard to remove scratches, resulting in a clean car, but heavily marred surface.

[Who Needs 8]

Sorry, I'm gonna have to disagree with you. Can you please explain a little on what your reasoning is behind this theory?

Nick

That the protection of the higher quality wax/sealants protect against the minimal damage from occasional use of dedicated drive thru car wash (not gas station car wash).

I use a place by my apartment twice a month (quick detail between unless filthy) and there's no noticable damage.


I have to disagree. Even if you have a nice coat of wax, or sealant on the paint, severe damage will occur on washes where there is contact. Having stiff bristles rubbing against the finish, will instill hard to remove scratches, resulting in a clean car, but heavily marred surface.

I've been using the same place for over two years about twice a month, and trust me . . . there is no damage. This place isn't cheap, but it's not high priced either.

Go to a lower end place or gas station car wash regularly, and you are correct. You just have to find the right place.

[Nick Chapman]

That the protection of the higher quality wax/sealants protect against the minimal damage from occasional use of dedicated drive thru car wash (not gas station car wash).

I use a place by my apartment twice a month (quick detail between unless filthy) and there's no noticable damage.




I've been using the same place for over two years about twice a month, and trust me . . . there is no damage. This place isn't cheap, but it's not high priced either.

Go to a lower end place or gas station car wash regularly, and you are correct. You just have to find the right place.

Where are you located? I'd really like to see your car and see for myself that there's no damage. I'm not going to disagree/argue with you, but I have NEVER seen this and would like to see for myself.

Nick

[Sean88gt]

i pay 35 bucks to get our car washed and detailed every week, we havent had any issues with the paint.
That's not 'detailed' ;)

[BadCompany V.P WS6]

That's not 'detailed' ;)

This is the biggest misconception/issue I have with customers and what they think detailed means.

I find ALOT if not most don't truly know what a full blown detail consists of, not your regular wash and interior wipe down.

[Nick Chapman]

This is the biggest misconception/issue I have with customers and what they think detailed means.

I find ALOT if not most don't truly know what a full blown detail consists of, not your regular wash and interior wipe down.


Cleaning a car and detailing a car, are completely different ;)

[BadCompany V.P WS6]

Cleaning a car and detailing a car, are completely different ;)

Exactly! Drives me nuts! lol

Some people don't understand how a julio rodriguez down the road charges 25 bucks for his 'detail' and mine is so much more.

After explaining and seeing work, they understand. :)

[Skidmark]

Nick when are you going to be under the knife?

[Nick Chapman]

Nick when are you going to be under the knife?


Not sure yet. I have to go for a discogram sometime this week or the first of next week(waiting on them to schedule it). As soon as the results from that test come back, then we're going to schedule the surgery. I'm guessing late December or early January.

[Skidmark]

Not sure yet. I have to go for a discogram sometime this week or the first of next week(waiting on them to schedule it). As soon as the results from that test come back, then we're going to schedule the surgery. I'm guessing late December or early January.

Reason I was asking is that I finally have the funds to get the car detailed, well Friday. I can wait till after you get some R&R though and start feeling better. The swirls aren't going anywhere. :p

[Nick Chapman]

Reason I was asking is that I finally have the funds to get the car detailed, well Friday. I can wait till after you get some R&R though and start feeling better. The swirls aren't going anywhere. :p


I'd rather get it done before the surgery if I have the choice. I don't want to get backed up and feel forced to get back on my feet before I'm ready.

[Who Needs 8]

Where are you located? I'd really like to see your car and see for myself that there's no damage. I'm not going to disagree/argue with you, but I have NEVER seen this and would like to see for myself.

Nick

I don't want your scrutiny!!!

:D lol

[Nick Chapman]

I don't want your scrutiny!!!

:D lol


You made that statement, it's time to man up now :D