Car Wash

[mismart]

While I agree with the merits of hand washing - when it's 5 degrees outside with 18" of snow and the car is covered in salt - and a wash is desperately needed something must be done. My point is hand washing is not always an alternative.

I took my cabrio, under the above conditions, through a car wash last week (after consulting the smart center service manager) and was very satisfied. While the sound of the brushes on the fabric top made me a little nervous all ended well. The little scooter was clean, salt free, totally dry inside, and fit through the car wash just fine.

For you Michiganders - it was a Forsters Auto Wash chain. Give it a try A2.

[propes]

I work with the owners of a large carwash in St. Paul, MN - they've asked about the smart, and when I get it I'll ask their opinions on it (as well as from the dealer). Of course, that'll be a while, given my number.

[spdickey]

Just had my smart through the local car wash. Most of the clients have luxury cars so this is a lot different than your normal full serve car wash. No brushes, no whirling cloths, just guys hand washing as it goes down the line. Only one track on the left, right runs flat on the ground. The smart went through just fine. Just remember to turn off the automatic wipers! I forgot, and soon as the spray hit the car they started going. $109 buys a book of ten washes.

[SMARTnTiny]

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 Smart with a dirty bottom is not Smart at all, especially when it's Michigan or NY road salt.

Since my former days were filled with micro-seconds and micro-waves...
Micro-scratches will not bother me at all.

Wife will be using this car "on the road" (this first winter) and will need to wash it often. As she is all dressed up I know she will not want to run it through a hand wash.

Another solution is needed. I'm still looking!
A2jack

How about paying three local teenagers (football players who don't mind getting a little damp should work) to lift up on the front end so you can hose her off underneath with your snazzy power washer? I had five of them lift a 1600 pound piano off the ground, so if you're just tipping...... I'd think three should do it! ;)

[Harleyduo]

Since I've been driving my smart on lots of short trips, I find that it's constantly getting dirty. Since I want to be seen in a shiny NEW smart, I've found myself going to the self-serve spray wash to give it a quickie salt/grime removal. Amazingly, I've found that I can get the whole thing washed, rinsed, and even a little hot waxing or anti-spotting rinse for just $1.00. That allows me to give her a quick cleaning quite a few days in a week for not too much money. The only issues I've had is that on these single digit temperature days, the soapy water wants to freeze as soon as it hits the cold car. I think they use hotter rinse water because that's not been freezing quite as quickly, or else the car panels are warming up enough by the rinse to not freeze so rapidly. I can't believe how quickly I can get around the car with the hand spray gun. It's small size really PAYS OFF, literally. (wink)

[stuberman]

I have used a local (brushless) car wash in town with no problems. They worried about the under car clearance the first time through but had no problems. In Michigan where the weather is sub freeezing now (and sometimes subzero) regular car washes are a must to get the salt off and no real options to hand wash (like when I lived in southern California and a good wax could last for months).

Also plan to use Liquid Glass after paint cures and Plexus on roof to protect surfaces. Not sure if Rain-X is a good idea with rain sensor.

[Westfield 11]

My local hand wash has agreed to give 1/2 price washes since I have a 1/2 size car.

[roverallover]

Just a reminder - although hand washing can give you the pride of "doing it yourself" and maybe saving a few bucks - remember that the soap and grime runs off your driveway, down into the storm drain and out to whatever water source is nearby (lake, stream, river, or ocean) untreated in most locations. Commercial car washes (including coin-op self-wash) are often required to have their runoff run into the sewer instead of storm drains and is thus treated before release into the watershed. If you must handwash at home, please select a non-phosphate, biodegradable soap. The critters downstream will thank you and in cases like myself, I thank you too (runoff pollutes our surf-spots for days after a storm). Some places it is now illegal to wash your car at your house.

[WCOCHRAN]

Be careful with the foaming brushes at the carwash. I used one today and I have a ton of scratches on the rear plastic behind the Tridion. Will plastic scratch remover fix this or do I need wax?

[gamernotwatcher]

do the solid colors have a clear coat finish or is it just the painted ones