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Okay for a drive through car wash?

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Old 02-21-2009 | 09:21 PM
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Okay for a drive through car wash?

Theres a place by my house that is a drive through car wash, it says the use soft fabric on the cleaning machines and the interior gets cleaned, seen alot of nice cars there. Its only about 15 bucks.
Is this safe for the paint?

Thanks!
Old 02-21-2009 | 09:24 PM
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the only way i would let it through a car wash if it was a laser wash, meaning nothing touches your car... you have no idea what kind of dirt and grime are one those things... your paint will swirl like none other... on top of that i've heard people scratching rims going through those... even if it is really cheap i wouldn't do it
Old 02-21-2009 | 09:39 PM
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I agree. Remember though, just cause you see nice cars go through that car wash doesn't mean the people driving those cards have any clue what they're doing ; ) Buy yourself some ONR cleaning solution and you'll feel a sense of pride that comes after washing your baby
Old 02-21-2009 | 09:48 PM
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Hand wash FTW!

Car washes aren't made for our Infiniti's, Or any luxury brand.
Old 02-21-2009 | 09:49 PM
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I run a carwash and my guys have damaged my wheels already. just something about our wheels that makes them want torn up. I dont take my car to a machine wash only handwash if it hase to go on a conveyor drive it yourself..... just my $.02
Old 02-21-2009 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by aliiin
the only way i would let it through a car wash if it was a laser wash, meaning nothing touches your car...
+1^ If you absolutely must go to an automatic carwash, then make sure nothing touches your car; just soap and water. Don't do any of that wax/sealer/glaze/whatever else they call it. Generally, I'll run through a Laserwash just to get the bulk of the dirt/grime off if it's cold outside and I don't wanna wash it myself.
Old 02-21-2009 | 10:27 PM
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Originally Posted by tianh
Theres a place by my house that is a drive through car wash, it says the use soft fabric on the cleaning machines and the interior gets cleaned, seen alot of nice cars there. Its only about 15 bucks.
Is this safe for the paint?

Thanks!

Dont do it!!!
Old 02-21-2009 | 10:28 PM
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i concur.

you're paying them to swirl your paint...
Old 02-21-2009 | 10:42 PM
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I've never been one to say "stay away from machine washes" but sure enough the first one I went threw with my G37 scratched the hell out of my wheels and I've gone threw it a dozen times in other cars. As far as the paint goes, wouldn't worry too much about it.
Old 02-21-2009 | 11:08 PM
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I'm a chick and I even know not to take my car through the automated quicky wash. If you love your car, don't do it.
Old 02-22-2009 | 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by aliiin
the only way i would let it through a car wash if it was a laser wash, meaning nothing touches your car... you have no idea what kind of dirt and grime are one those things... your paint will swirl like none other... on top of that i've heard people scratching rims going through those... even if it is really cheap i wouldn't do it
is there even a laser car wash in austin?
Old 02-22-2009 | 03:42 PM
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The wheels on our cars (19 in Sport) are more of a problem in car washes than the paint. The spokes protrude farther out than most wheels, and will probably be scratched by the track that pulls the car through by its wheels.
Old 02-22-2009 | 06:07 PM
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Don't do it under any circumstance unless you just don't care that much that you are doing damage to your car's paint. Not even the "no touch" ones.
Old 02-22-2009 | 06:35 PM
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It's too bad that even the touchless washes are harmful to our car's paint. Especially when you live in climates like Canada, there's nothing easier and more convenient than taking it to a touchless wash & then back in the underground garage applying ONR, etc. Oh well, I guess ONR + 2 bucket method it is
Old 02-22-2009 | 07:45 PM
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As long as it's a touchless wash you ll be good. The one I take mine too has no railing either which means no scratching off the rims. I drive in, wash gets activated, put the car on park and wait til it s done then drive out.


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