car wash

msgtairforce · 08-10-2006, 10:48 AM

Has anybody used a automatic car wash for their sky? If so,any problems noticed?

DunWaiting · 08-10-2006, 10:59 AM

Ours will never see one ... I can screw up a wash job all on my own

bigdog · 08-10-2006, 11:48 AM

I won't go to a carwash - I need my alone time with my SKY.

pdxskygirl · 08-10-2006, 12:30 PM

I've only done it once, when I didn't have time to do it myself. No problems but I wouldn't let them use the brushes. It was funny, they dipped the brushes in the prewash and held it over the body, dripping it on instead of brushing. No leaks or anything to worry about.
Lisa

KanMan · 08-10-2006, 12:46 PM

My Saturn dealership offers a free wash when you bring it in for service. But even they said they were afraid to wash it, because they didn't know what their soap would do to the top. You would think the Saturn guys would know how to wash it.

**rick112** · 08-10-2006, 12:47 PM

I am hand washing mine. I wonder how many people are in my boat. I've never had a car that I wanted to hand wash before. Perhaps someone could post some helpful hints that is in the know.

Heck I didn't even know how to use a chamois and I'm still not sure I'm doing it correctly.

Topics might include;

Rinse, Wash (recommended soap), drying (recommended method and materials), detailing and Finishing, top care, tire care, interior cleaning.

I know there was a post a while back on using a clay product.

nscrbug · 08-10-2006, 01:10 PM

Heck NO!!!! Hell...my Sky already leaks when it rains heavy...I can only imagine what the results would be if I ran it through an automatic wash!

**Skip** · 08-10-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgtairforce

Has anybody used a automatic car wash for their sky? If so,any problems noticed?

Mine goes thru the car wash at least once a week and I have no problems. No leaks but lots and lots of stares. ..Skip....The car wash people know me by name and all the women there give me hugs when I drive up.....

**Skip** · 08-10-2006, 02:11 PM

They even let me sit in the car. I watch the brushes go round and round, all the pretty colors of soap, the bird crap coming off with the bug goo, and then the high pressure spray. When it comes to the air blowers the top lifts ever so slightly and then I drive to a stall and get out and wipe it down. I have no paint chips, no dings or dents and it shines like the sun when I am finished. The reason no dings or dents is because of my handicapped placerd that I use when I go shopping or Yadda Yadda. Skip....Still breathing and enjoying his days with a SKIPSKY.

**Skip** · 08-10-2006, 02:14 PM

The car wash costs me five dollars a week which is cheap for hugs with women....Duh huh...Skip....of couse I go to get the car washed....

**Skip** · 08-10-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick112

I am hand washing mine. I wonder how many people are in my boat. I've never had a car that I wanted to hand wash before. Perhaps someone could post some helpful hints that is in the know.

Heck I didn't even know how to use a chamois and I'm still not sure I'm doing it correctly.

Topics might include;

Rinse, Wash (recommended soap), drying (recommended method and materials), detailing and Finishing, top care, tire care, interior cleaning.

I know there was a post a while back on using a clay product.

Rick use that search feature to find that stuff out....Skip....

SKYRCKET · 08-10-2006, 02:41 PM

Once I got my Sky my dealer gave me a kit that had a special wash solution and paint rejuvenator rinse. I use a Black Magic chamois to dry off and a microfiber cloth to do the fine detail work once it is dried. I donot use soap on the top just rise it off with water and it should bead up then wip it off with the chamois and it's all good the process takes me from start to finish about two hours. Time well spent I know every curve of my sky just by touch

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick112

I am hand washing mine. I wonder how many people are in my boat. I've never had a car that I wanted to hand wash before. Perhaps someone could post some helpful hints that is in the know.

Heck I didn't even know how to use a chamois and I'm still not sure I'm doing it correctly.

Topics might include;

Rinse, Wash (recommended soap), drying (recommended method and materials), detailing and Finishing, top care, tire care, interior cleaning.

I know there was a post a while back on using a clay product.

jack8219 · 08-10-2006, 05:17 PM

I just ordered a sky R/L and told the dealer to not wash/wax the car when it comes in. I know this sounds anal but dealers have used obital buffers on cars and swirl marks get on the car. I ordered and got a G35 coupe and did the same thing. The G looked sad when I drove it away dirty but it cleaned up great on the outside. I had the dealer clean inside of course. I never would put any car thru an auto car wash. Here in NM I can hand wash in less time then driving to a car wash. I worry about swirl marks and messing up the wheels dragging the car thru the wash. I have been using a silicone sealant every 6 months and my G35 (red) looks brand new after almost 4 years out here in NM sun so I think I am doing the right thing. Maybe in cold country you have to use an auto wash but I would not do it unless last resort.

**JohnD** · 08-10-2006, 05:27 PM

I've hand-washed mine a few times, but I am so darned busy that I can't always do that. I take it to a "touchless' car wash with nary a brush in sight, and they do a pretty good job between my treatments. Just did the "mobile car wash and detail" thing where they came to my office and got it all nice for twenty bucks. That's been the best yet.

I understand the need for alone time, but I'd rather spend it driving than on my hands and knees getting water spots off the rims, ya know?

Stu's Sky · 08-10-2006, 09:13 PM

I take mine to the detail shop and pay for a hand wash. No automatics here!

marlboromike · 08-10-2006, 11:33 PM

who would be crazy enough to bring it to a car wash...do you really believe a SKY would come out unscathed? A no brainer!!

**reedred** · 08-10-2006, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlboromike

who would be crazy enough to bring it to a car wash...doyou really believe a SKY would come out unscathed? A no brainer!!

Um- I would. I go to a hand car wash where they completely clean my car in 45 minutes. They do a better job than I would, and do it in about 1/3 the time. I've been taking my cars and my boss's cars there since 1999- the same guy has been washing our cars for 7 years. None of them have ever been scratched or otherwise damaged. There are good and bad car washes. You just have to take the time to find a good one. On the other hand, maybe I just have no brain.

RedSky2night · 08-10-2006, 11:57 PM

I recomend reading some of the tips in the thread "What do you clean your Sky With" lots of good info in there

marlboromike · 08-11-2006, 02:17 AM

ReedRed...was not referring to hand car washes....u know what we r talking about...and when r u coming to Jersey....

**reedred** · 08-11-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marlboromike

ReedRed...was not referring to hand car washes....u know what we r talking about...and when r u coming to Jersey....

Looking back, I see that.

I'll actually be blowing through Jersey tonight on my way to DC for the weekend. I still don't know when I'll come to a complete stop in the state, though! I'm thinking about crashing the Leaf Peeping Run the Solstice folks are planning for Rockland County in October. Any interest?

Sw0l3n4t0r · 08-11-2006, 03:04 PM

local car wash around here is automatic no brushes touch the car. It sprays the fluids on and then has air dryers when done. It's all preprogramed done by computer.

08-10-2006, 10:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
msgtairforce First 2000 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 21 My Photos: (0)	car wash Has anybody used a automatic car wash for their sky? If so,any problems noticed?

08-10-2006, 10:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
DunWaiting First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oxford Ohio Posts: 72 My Photos: (0)	Ours will never see one ... I can screw up a wash job all on my own __________________ Silver Graphite 5spd. Black/Red Leather 6-Disc Monsoon w/ XM Ordered 4/28/06 Delivered 8/1/06 VIN# 6368 Lic.Plate I SKY

08-10-2006, 11:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
bigdog First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 836 My Photos: (5)	I won't go to a carwash - I need my alone time with my SKY. __________________ -Pete WCKCC member 2.4L, silver graphite VIN: 01472 Delivered 5/23/2006 - Contracted SGS the same day SGS = Silly Grin Syndrome ________________________ Universal Law of Location: No matter where you go, there you are.

08-10-2006, 12:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
pdxskygirl First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Columbia City, Oregon Posts: 71 My Photos: (0)	I've only done it once, when I didn't have time to do it myself. No problems but I wouldn't let them use the brushes. It was funny, they dipped the brushes in the prewash and held it over the body, dripping it on instead of brushing. No leaks or anything to worry about. Lisa __________________ Chili Pepper Red, Magnaflow Quad Tip Dual exhaust, spoiler, chrome wheels, Kappa CAI, leather, Monsoon, Onstar, Wind screen, splash guards, Theftmark etching, automatic transmission delivered 6/6/06!

08-10-2006, 12:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
KanMan First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Spring Hill, TN Posts: 125 My Photos: (0)	My Saturn dealership offers a free wash when you bring it in for service. But even they said they were afraid to wash it, because they didn't know what their soap would do to the top. You would think the Saturn guys would know how to wash it. __________________ Steve KanMan Midnight Blue w/ Tan Top Automatic (Been drivin' manual far too long) XM Black & Tan Leather Interior

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08-10-2006, 12:47 PM	#6 (permalink)
rick112 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,190 My Photos: (0)	I am hand washing mine. I wonder how many people are in my boat. I've never had a car that I wanted to hand wash before. Perhaps someone could post some helpful hints that is in the know. Heck I didn't even know how to use a chamois and I'm still not sure I'm doing it correctly. Topics might include; Rinse, Wash (recommended soap), drying (recommended method and materials), detailing and Finishing, top care, tire care, interior cleaning. I know there was a post a while back on using a clay product. __________________ Chili Pepper Red & Tan VIN 4927 Preorder July/05 Ordered January 23/06 Preferenced May 22/06 TPW July 10/06 Built July 11/06 Shipped July 14/06 Invoiced July 17/06 At dealership July 31/06 My driveway August 2/06

08-10-2006, 01:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
nscrbug First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago burbs Posts: 1,421 My Photos: (6)	Heck NO!!!! Hell...my Sky already leaks when it rains heavy...I can only imagine what the results would be if I ran it through an automatic wash! __________________ Linda 2008 RL Delivered - 08/25/2007 Silver Pearl/Black Cloth Polished Alloys Automatic Monsoon 1 disc

08-10-2006, 05:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
jack8219 First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: albuquerque, nm usa Posts: 37 My Photos: (0)	I just ordered a sky R/L and told the dealer to not wash/wax the car when it comes in. I know this sounds anal but dealers have used obital buffers on cars and swirl marks get on the car. I ordered and got a G35 coupe and did the same thing. The G looked sad when I drove it away dirty but it cleaned up great on the outside. I had the dealer clean inside of course. I never would put any car thru an auto car wash. Here in NM I can hand wash in less time then driving to a car wash. I worry about swirl marks and messing up the wheels dragging the car thru the wash. I have been using a silicone sealant every 6 months and my G35 (red) looks brand new after almost 4 years out here in NM sun so I think I am doing the right thing. Maybe in cold country you have to use an auto wash but I would not do it unless last resort.

08-10-2006, 05:27 PM	#14 (permalink)
JohnD First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 3,476 My Photos: (73)	I've hand-washed mine a few times, but I am so darned busy that I can't always do that. I take it to a "touchless' car wash with nary a brush in sight, and they do a pretty good job between my treatments. Just did the "mobile car wash and detail" thing where they came to my office and got it all nice for twenty bucks. That's been the best yet. I understand the need for alone time, but I'd rather spend it driving than on my hands and knees getting water spots off the rims, ya know? __________________ First:"BABY"* Silver Pearl 9 May 06* Then:"SPIRIT"* Black Onyx Red Line 25 Oct 06* Check out My Photos!

08-10-2006, 09:13 PM	#15 (permalink)
Stu's Sky First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: D.C. Metro Area Posts: 277 My Photos: (0)	I take mine to the detail shop and pay for a hand wash. No automatics here! __________________ silver graphite black leather/black top manual LSD 6cd/XM leather chrome wheels spoiler delivered 3/17 SOLD 8/20/06

08-10-2006, 11:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
marlboromike First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Marlboro, NJ Posts: 7,071 My Photos: (6)	who would be crazy enough to bring it to a car wash...do you really believe a SKY would come out unscathed? A no brainer!! Last edited by marlboromike : 08-11-2006 at 02:15 AM.

08-10-2006, 11:57 PM	#18 (permalink)
RedSky2night First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 143 My Photos: (0)	I recomend reading some of the tips in the thread "What do you clean your Sky With" lots of good info in there

08-11-2006, 02:17 AM	#19 (permalink)
marlboromike First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Marlboro, NJ Posts: 7,071 My Photos: (6)	ReedRed...was not referring to hand car washes....u know what we r talking about...and when r u coming to Jersey....

08-11-2006, 03:04 PM	#21 (permalink)
Sw0l3n4t0r First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Quarryville, PA Posts: 205 My Photos: (0)	local car wash around here is automatic no brushes touch the car. It sprays the fluids on and then has air dryers when done. It's all preprogramed done by computer.