Drive Thru Car Washes

[Musky]

G'day guys,

There is a drive thru car wash thing near where i live and i was just wondering if they are safe enough to take my car to? Will it have the potential to scratch my paint? I've always been a bit skeptical about them, but as it is easy and convenient i thought i might give it a go.

Anyone had any bad experiences?

Musky

[Baconer]

do it yourself you lazy sack

[Beer Baron]

well depends what condition your paint is. if it's old bodgey paint then who cares. personally I would NEVER take my car there.

[hrd-hr30]

SE QLD is on level 5 water restrictions. We're not allowed to wash our cars at home. Only allowed to clean the windscreen and mirrors, and spot clean bird/bat poo off the paintwork.

I've seen a mate take his Pajero through an automatic drive-thru carwash and it didn't even get the bird poo off it... came out not much better than it went in. Do it at one of the self serve carwash bay places.

[DECIM8]

if a mud covered truck has been through before you.. you'll be pissed .. cya paint hello scratches

[SKY031]

If it's one with brushes which come in contact with the vehicle at high speed, avoid it.

If it's a laser wash, where the only thing coming in contact with the vehicle is jets of water, you'll be fine... it won't matter what sort of vehicle has passed through before you.

[95SKY]

if a mud covered truck has been through before you.. you'll be pissed .. cya paint hello scratches

Lol i took my cruiser thru one day and they had to get a wheel barrow and shovel to pick all the mud up afterwards, So i wouldnt recommend it. Even the brushs in the self serve car washs i would not go near,

[XRAIDER]

I decided to be lazy once and went through the high pressure jet spry drive through one, got home had a bit of o look around the care and found the lhf headlight had watter in it and had fogged up.

Also the rear garnish done the same ( s1 sedan). Lesson learnt, i wont be lazy ever again (ah only when it comes to washing the line )!!

[cliff25gtst]

yeh avoid the automatic ones that have brush things and not jet spray.

went thru once and never again

got scratches.

safest way, do it yourself if your unsure

[slip]

Carlovers.

Take your own sponge and even products.

Best of both worlds.

[MANWHORE]

any contact with the paint causes swirlies. Depends on how careeful you are. I never touch my paint normally. never brush past it.

I wash with the double bucket method, and only use a sponge once then throw it away. if you're this careful, then don't use it. if you aren't, then the machine won't treat it any worse than you normally do.

Edited May 1, 2007 by MANWHORE

[Mikyel]

no more going through the washing bay.. last time went inside leave a chemical stain on my wheels..