Car Wash

[DaveInTexas]

I don't even go through automated washes in my Miata. If I am stuck using a coin was, I use the spot free rinse on the wand for the top a light brush and no soap on it for my cloth top.

[hyakugojyuuichi]

I've never taken my car through an automatic car wash, ever. I would much rather hand wash my car. It only takes me about 15 minutes to wash my New Beetle so it should take no more than 5 to wash the Smart.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by a2jack

Jonnysan's power washer seems to be the best idea, so far. But, it still does not solve the problem of cleaning the bottom.

A

If you have an angled nozzle on the pressure wand like they do at the coin-ops, you can easily get the bottom of the car perfectly clean.

[Ghetto2315]

So what do you think dealers and service centers are going to do about washing the SmartCars? It takes too long to hand wash if you are working at a dealership and wasted time is wasted money...

[kmeinhold]

I happen to like cleaning my cars. The MGA and the TR6 usualy only take minutes to wash and dry and the smart will be even quicker to hand wash.

Not every city deweller (a likely smart demographic) has the hand wash option, but they needent fret; studies by (BMW, Mercedes and Univ of Texas) show that automatic car washes are less damaging to a cars paint then hand washing.

[kwagar]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

So what do you think dealers and service centers are going to do about washing the SmartCars? It takes too long to hand wash if you are working at a dealership and wasted time is wasted money...

My Mini Dealer washes each car after service and does each by hand. Takes just a few minutes.

[propes]

Received a call back from the local full-service wash in St. Paul (can I plug them?): they're not familiar with the smart, but they measured the track for me, and they can handle a car that, from inside of the time to inside of the tire, is 3.5 feet or wider.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by Ghetto2315

So what do you think dealers and service centers are going to do about washing the SmartCars? It takes too long to hand wash if you are working at a dealership and wasted time is wasted money...

I specifically tell the dealer not to clean my car when it's in for service for that exact reason.

[a2jack]

Originally Posted by propes

Received a call back from the local full-service wash in St. Paul (can I plug them?): they're not familiar with the smart, but they measured the track for me, and they can handle a car that, from inside of the time to inside of the tire, is 3.5 feet or wider.

Propes:

Thanks for the post.It should work

Ithoboy:

Wife can't do the hand wash thing while on the road (all dressed up).
I'll drive over to a hand wash and experiment on the Festiva. but I'm not sure the wand is curved on the one near us. Thanks.

A2Jack

[vanslam]

Hmmm, I dont think I will be using a power washer because I am concerned about blowing the Smart apart while washing it. But I will use the old hose and sponge method since I dont think it will fit in the car wash. Oh yeah I use the ones with the cloth washing strips all of the time on all of my cars including Vette. When you get down to it, it is just a car ** a depreciating item that gets you where you want to go, not an investment. Thats what I try to keep telling myself. Besides the clear coat finish on the new cars today are really strong. I think its more important to keep the car in a garage.

Now my Bugatti Vernon and Ferrari 430 on the other hand ... don't I wish.