Anyone send their car through a car wash??

**cfjara** · 02-11-2008, 11:24 AM

We're under severe water restrictions here in Raleigh and washing my car on my driveway , as I always do, can now cost me up to $200 for the first offense, then up to $1500 for a second. It pains me to see the dirt on my car. Has anyone taken the sky through one of those laser touchless car washes? The ones with the high pressure water? I'm worried the high pressure wash will penetrate the top and maybe leak. Does anyone have any experience with these and will it hurt the top?

rmcpherson · 02-11-2008, 11:30 AM

Hi Cfjara, I wash mine in the driveway using a 2500 psi pressure washer. I apply car wash at low preesure, hand wash, and then high pressure rinse. I migth get a little around the side windows but not much. I think you would be find as long as its a brushless or clothless type wash.

dipolley · 02-11-2008, 11:47 AM

I actually did one of those for the first time this weekend. Yes the top leaked. But I think it was extenuating circumstances. My top is messed up as it is (have to get it fixed) and the high pressure at just the right angle it leaked on the passenger side only.

jel · 02-11-2008, 11:53 AM

If I don't do it by hand, I use Brown Bear. No brushes and I get the underwash and teflon tire spray. Very nice and no leaks.

**RedHeaded RedLine** · 02-11-2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfjara

We're under severe water restrictions here in Raleigh and washing my car on my driveway , as I always do, can now cost me up to $200 for the first offense, then up to $1500 for a second. It pains me to see the dirt on my car. Has anyone taken the sky through one of those laser touchless car washes? The ones with the high pressure water? I'm worried the high pressure wash will penetrate the top and maybe leak. Does anyone have any experience with these and will it hurt the top?

Try it around 3am or do it in your garage... Just be careful of overspray.
It really shouldn't be any of the governments businiess how you use your water, as long as you are paying for it. -J

compdoc777 · 02-11-2008, 12:03 PM

When my car is not dirty and I am prepping it for shows I use a water sprayer bottle with cleaner to wet down the car and a squeegy (sp) to drive the dirt and water off the car towards to the bottom. Then I use a spray on touch wax to clean up the finish. Wheels more spray cleaner and lots of rags.

For water I use bottled water tucked into my clean up bag. They usually won't let you into show with water.

Antonio · 02-11-2008, 12:24 PM

i use a 100% by hand car wash in my town when I can't do it myself. Their high pressure rinse does get a few drops passed the top and inside, but i just lay a towel down on the seats to catch any drops and it's fine. I would however bring a damp clean microfiber with you. 9 times out of 10 the rinsers can't get all the soap out from under the buttress of the top, so when before you pull off, pop the top and wipe under the buttress.

kwayne · 02-11-2008, 12:33 PM

Park on the grass as you wash your car your watering the grass-just make sure you do it on your assigned days

vfx · 02-11-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHeaded RedLine

Try it around 3am or do it in your garage... Just be careful of overspray.
It really shouldn't be any of the governments businiess how you use your water, as long as you are paying for it. -J

It's everyones water.

**RedHeaded RedLine** · 02-11-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfx

It's everyones water.

Right, that’s why I can use as much of it as I can afford. Where’s the issue?
Could we also say it is everyone’s electricity?
Is it everyone’s gasoline?
How about everyone's cookies? -J

duck833 · 02-11-2008, 01:02 PM

I use the high pressure car wash a few times a year. Just bring a couple of towels with you. It will probably leak a little on both sides of the car, use the towels to hold up by the roof and catch the water. No other problems noted, cleans top very nice.

**Skip** · 02-11-2008, 01:04 PM

I go thru a regular car wash and have no swirls and no dings but a clean Sky. I get out and wipe it down and then do the windows. This car wash I go thru does good maintenance on the brushes. I tant got the O2 to do it myself and when I do I get plumb tuckered out rite easy....Skip....

duck833 · 02-11-2008, 01:37 PM

No water restrictions in Oregon!

Only rained 8.3 inches here last month, just finished pumping 6 inches of water out of my swimming pool, it was about ready to run over. Trouble is it is so wet it is best to keep the Duckmobile under cover in garage. Little sun and blue sky this morning so maybe the worst is over.

**cfjara** · 02-11-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHeaded RedLine

Try it around 3am or do it in your garage... Just be careful of overspray.
It really shouldn't be any of the governments businiess how you use your water, as long as you are paying for it. -J

AMEN to that...however 3AM.....20F......ummmm... not sure if i'll survive. Maybe if I lived back in FL.

**KimberlySky** · 02-11-2008, 03:54 PM

To answer your question YES I do a lot actually.... I go to a touchless even though high pressure wash near my office when I don't have time to wait for the car wash guy to come here to do it.

I have even done a regular wash one day & it didn't even leak, yes I know everyone bad for the paint scratches etc... but oh well I did it and the car was fine.

I have always just made sure my top was up perfectly and windows really up as possible and only maybe one time it leaked a little.

**RedHeaded RedLine** · 02-11-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfjara

AMEN to that...however 3AM.....20F......ummmm... not sure if i'll survive. Maybe if I lived back in FL.

Gotta love that heated garage... -J

**reedred** · 02-11-2008, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfx

It's everyones water.

Nobody owns the water, man. God owns - it's God's water.

eldeeko · 02-11-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

I go thru a regular car wash and have no swirls and no dings but a clean Sky. I get out and wipe it down and then do the windows. This car wash I go thru does good maintenance on the brushes. I tant got the O2 to do it myself and when I do I get plumb tuckered out rite easy....Skip....

Same here! I have no leak problems. The only thing I have to do when I get'er home is wipe down the front grill (They never get all the water off of it, even at the dealers wash) Nearly two years now and NO leaks.

Getaway · 02-11-2008, 05:23 PM

Hand wash only. No automatic car washes, these washes your car from the wrong end. If u wanna keep your paint in good condition, hand wash it. A proper car wash should start with high-pressure from the bottom to the top. The dirt from the top of the car needs to rinse off from clean surface. Automatic car washes that uses high-pressure only will get your car kinda clean, but dirt on a dry surface will scratch your paint even with only high pressure, the ones with the brushes defenetly just scratch your paint.

Getaway

Bogie · 02-11-2008, 06:37 PM

According to the Raleigh conservation website, you can wash on Sat/Sun. Now, the ord is a draft, but it's the only one I found on their website. Print it out..time stamped. And put it in your pocket. Wash on Sat. If law shows up, show 'em the ordinance from the website.

Hey, if they are SERIOUS about water conservation why have it wrong on the website for six months? (Edit: Or is that the final and they just don't want you to know you can do it Sat/Sun?). Bottom Line: Where is the bonafide ordinance and why isn't it posted?

IANAL.

Oh, and those high pressure "approved" washing facilities...do you know how well they filter the recycled water? I sure hope that's only water they are "high pressuring" into the car.

02-11-2008, 11:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
cfjara Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 261 My Photos: (0)	Anyone send their car through a car wash?? We're under severe water restrictions here in Raleigh and washing my car on my driveway , as I always do, can now cost me up to $200 for the first offense, then up to $1500 for a second. It pains me to see the dirt on my car. Has anyone taken the sky through one of those laser touchless car washes? The ones with the high pressure water? I'm worried the high pressure wash will penetrate the top and maybe leak. Does anyone have any experience with these and will it hurt the top? __________________ 2008 Sky Redline Onyx Black / Black&Tan Interior Spoiler / Chrome Wheels Monsoon Audio w/ 6Disk changer

02-11-2008, 11:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
jel Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Western Washington Posts: 393 My Photos: (8)	If I don't do it by hand, I use Brown Bear. No brushes and I get the underwash and teflon tire spray. Very nice and no leaks. __________________ JPM leather dash Dual XDVD8285 Interior carbon fiber kit Wind Restrictor V2 Fujita dual filter CAI Kappasphere KS2/Li'l Chromies Blackcat gauges Billet grille O-series stubby/FlameBall shifter V doors Sequential brake/3rd pulsating lights

02-11-2008, 12:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
compdoc777 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 609 My Photos: (6)	When my car is not dirty and I am prepping it for shows I use a water sprayer bottle with cleaner to wet down the car and a squeegy (sp) to drive the dirt and water off the car towards to the bottom. Then I use a spray on touch wax to clean up the finish. Wheels more spray cleaner and lots of rags. For water I use bottled water tucked into my clean up bag. They usually won't let you into show with water. __________________ 07 SKY Redline Silver Red/Black Leather, JPM Dash Red leather, WDE Carbon Fiber Dash Kit, BSR Tune, Fujita Intake, Dejon IC pipes, Hahn IC, 3" Magnaflow Quad Exhaust, DDM BBK (RED), BlackCatCustom Gauges. http://www.compdoc777.com/Carstuff/sky1.jpg

02-11-2008, 12:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
Antonio Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 1,651 My Photos: (6)	i use a 100% by hand car wash in my town when I can't do it myself. Their high pressure rinse does get a few drops passed the top and inside, but i just lay a towel down on the seats to catch any drops and it's fine. I would however bring a damp clean microfiber with you. 9 times out of 10 the rinsers can't get all the soap out from under the buttress of the top, so when before you pull off, pop the top and wipe under the buttress. __________________ HAD - '07 Redline -292 whp & 327 wtq - SOLD :( HAVE - '02 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - STOCK....for now http://youtube.com/profile?user=talkaboutblue NASSOA Founding Member

02-11-2008, 01:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
duck833 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon/Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 417 My Photos: (0)	I use the high pressure car wash a few times a year. Just bring a couple of towels with you. It will probably leak a little on both sides of the car, use the towels to hold up by the roof and catch the water. No other problems noted, cleans top very nice. __________________ Ordered cars at two dealerships, ended up snagging one at Saturn of Beaverton, Oregon Member of the Snaggers Club RED Line Yellow Magna-Flow. CAI, chromies, stubby ant Loaded

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02-11-2008, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
rmcpherson Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: virginia beach Posts: 31 My Photos: (0)	Hi Cfjara, I wash mine in the driveway using a 2500 psi pressure washer. I apply car wash at low preesure, hand wash, and then high pressure rinse. I migth get a little around the side windows but not much. I think you would be find as long as its a brushless or clothless type wash.

02-11-2008, 11:47 AM	#3 (permalink)
dipolley Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 107 My Photos: (0)	I actually did one of those for the first time this weekend. Yes the top leaked. But I think it was extenuating circumstances. My top is messed up as it is (have to get it fixed) and the high pressure at just the right angle it leaked on the passenger side only.

02-11-2008, 01:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
Skip First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: deep in the land of cotton where good times there are not forgotten Posts: 4,736 My Photos: (0)	I go thru a regular car wash and have no swirls and no dings but a clean Sky. I get out and wipe it down and then do the windows. This car wash I go thru does good maintenance on the brushes. I tant got the O2 to do it myself and when I do I get plumb tuckered out rite easy....Skip.... __________________ Resident Redneck of the forum and Birthday Greeter Keep on the sunny side of life It tant Christmas without Christ.

02-11-2008, 01:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
duck833 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon/Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 417 My Photos: (0)	No water restrictions in Oregon! Only rained 8.3 inches here last month, just finished pumping 6 inches of water out of my swimming pool, it was about ready to run over. Trouble is it is so wet it is best to keep the Duckmobile under cover in garage. Little sun and blue sky this morning so maybe the worst is over. __________________ Ordered cars at two dealerships, ended up snagging one at Saturn of Beaverton, Oregon Member of the Snaggers Club RED Line Yellow Magna-Flow. CAI, chromies, stubby ant Loaded

02-11-2008, 03:54 PM	#15 (permalink)
KimberlySky Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: "When You Look To The Sky Think Of Me!" Posts: 1,913 My Photos: (11)	Yes! To answer your question YES I do a lot actually.... I go to a touchless even though high pressure wash near my office when I don't have time to wait for the car wash guy to come here to do it. I have even done a regular wash one day & it didn't even leak, yes I know everyone bad for the paint scratches etc... but oh well I did it and the car was fine. I have always just made sure my top was up perfectly and windows really up as possible and only maybe one time it leaked a little. __________________ *SINISTER* Damaged.... Onyx 3 Peds LSD Spoiler Splash Guards Sky Mats Tint 3rd Brake Sinister Stubby Saddle DC Sports Brace AEM Intake RL Exhaust

02-11-2008, 05:23 PM	#19 (permalink)
Getaway Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SWEDEN Posts: 40 My Photos: (0)	Hand wash only. No automatic car washes, these washes your car from the wrong end. If u wanna keep your paint in good condition, hand wash it. A proper car wash should start with high-pressure from the bottom to the top. The dirt from the top of the car needs to rinse off from clean surface. Automatic car washes that uses high-pressure only will get your car kinda clean, but dirt on a dry surface will scratch your paint even with only high pressure, the ones with the brushes defenetly just scratch your paint. Getaway

02-11-2008, 06:37 PM	#20 (permalink)
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 2,483 My Photos: (0)	According to the Raleigh conservation website, you can wash on Sat/Sun. Now, the ord is a draft, but it's the only one I found on their website. Print it out..time stamped. And put it in your pocket. Wash on Sat. If law shows up, show 'em the ordinance from the website. Hey, if they are SERIOUS about water conservation why have it wrong on the website for six months? (Edit: Or is that the final and they just don't want you to know you can do it Sat/Sun?). Bottom Line: Where is the bonafide ordinance and why isn't it posted? IANAL. Oh, and those high pressure "approved" washing facilities...do you know how well they filter the recycled water? I sure hope that's only water they are "high pressuring" into the car. __________________ 2008 Redline Black Onyx Black/Red Leather Monsoon 6 Disc Spoiler French Transmission Born July 2007 Snagged 8/31/07 Belle? That's my car Alizée? That's my avatar Me? Forty something male skydriver Last edited by Bogie : 02-11-2008 at 06:46 PM.

02-11-2008, 06:53 PM	#21 (permalink)
RedHeaded RedLine Senior Member