Car Wash -- Maybe a Dumb Question

[skyzdlimit59]

I'm afraid I have to chime in with the majority here. I have not tried the local car wash but did take it to a hand wash place and found they didn't do as well as I do when washing it myself. I guess I'm a bit a freak but it looks beautiful when I'm done.

[mvaldes]

Mine has been through the local car wash without difficulty. The first time I asked the owner if it would fit his equipment. He measured the ground clearance and said it would be fine and it was. That said, it's easy to hand wash when it's not freezing cold out so I'll be reserving the car wash for the winter.

[JPaul]

Around the corner, Splash Car Wash: Car Care Services a car wash that is used mostly by The Capitol's limos (black!). They use Meguiars and Rain-X, also recommended by several on this site. My car has been there twice, no issue, if a bit costly.

[theguywiththelongestname]

the smartmobile has been in the "do-it-yourself-drop-the-quarters-in-the-slot-for more-time-soap-brush-rinse-spot-free" car wash bay about 6 times. it holds up fine.

you do have to watch out for nails on the bay floor, damn construction workers are washing out their work trucks and leave freakin' nails and screws behind!

ps: my smartmobile is a passion hardtop, so i have no advice for cabrio owners...

[IcePlanet]

Don't spray your back cabrio window with high pressure at close range. It will spray a little water on the inside between the rubber and the glass. Using the low pressure is fine.
I use the tire cleaner at the hand car wash to clean off the break dust then spray down the rest of the car with soap then rinse. After I get home I clean the windows and wipe off the water. Between big car washes I just use auto glass cleaner and a micro fiber towel over the entire car. Takes less than 10 min.

[mnext02]

ive been through the car wash several times. the conveyor type. no problems.
i usually wash in the driveway but, sometimes a guy is in a hurry and for $7, no biggie.

[darrelplant]

I've had our cabrio through a conveyor wash three times so far. $5 for the basic wash. Take off my antenna before I go in. No problems so far. The drying cycle was kind of freaky the first time, as the air jets hit the soft top...

[Frankenstein_Casanova]

I take my Smart through the local conveyor car wash 2 or three times a week. (It's black, I'm obsessive..) Absolutely no problems at all.

They're just cars kids.. No need to be so careful with them.

Cheers-

Johnny

[Bum-bling-B]

My smart has been through every combo of wash places -

Conveyor - no problem at this particular place, you ride in the car - fun to open up roof shade
coin op - hasn't blown a hole in the side yet
charity washes - my biggest problem as the kids let sand get in the mitts but I do it for charity
me washing in driveway - my favorite way as I know it get done right

I wash my car several times a week as I live 4 miles back in the woods on a bumpy clay/sand road.

[tcollins648]

Originally Posted by SMARTnTiny

I didn't really get my back end cleaned. I'll stick to hand washing as well. I do better. ;)

I know how you must feel. I carry a baggie of wipes to help keep my back end clean. It seems the washes just can't get there. I guess it has something to do with the 'flatass design' we gentlemen suffer.

Oh, wait, were you talking about your car?

Seriously, we have the cabrio and I take it through a number of automatic washes, spray wash it in the bays, and pressure wash it in the driveway, depending on where I am when it's looking nasty.

No leaks or problems at this time..