Can you legitimately "drive through car-wash" ?

[Contemporary485]

Note: I am prepared for the tongue lashing that will probably follow this question. The reason I ask is that I cannot afford, yet, not to drive my camaro during winter ... now granted it won't be outside in any snow but say it's 3 days after, the snow is cleared yet there's still salt and sand on the road. I can't very well wash it at home because the water is shut off for the winter ...

What do I do? I'm fearful taking the camaro to the drivethrough carwash might be frowned upon .. or is it a viable option for winter?

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by Contemporary485

Note: I am prepared for the tongue lashing that will probably follow this question. The reason I ask is that I cannot afford, yet, not to drive my camaro during winter ... now granted it won't be outside in any snow but say it's 3 days after, the snow is cleared yet there's still salt and sand on the road. I can't very well wash it at home because the water is shut off for the winter ...

What do I do? I'm fearful taking the camaro to the drivethrough carwash might be frowned upon .. or is it a viable option for winter?

Just find one of the touchless car washes (no giant brushes and such) and you should be good.

[Contemporary485]

touchless, that sounds good .... and dang this is the fastest responding foum ever. Hat's off to you all, thanks so much ...

but as you were saying ... you think the touchless is okay

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by coolman

If it has stripes don't do it unless you don't care about a new jagged stripe look.

I have had vinyl stripes on many cars and never had any messed up by a touchless car wash...

[HDDAN]

Originally Posted by Contemporary485

Note: I am prepared for the tongue lashing that will probably follow this question. The reason I ask is that I cannot afford, yet, not to drive my camaro during winter ... now granted it won't be outside in any snow but say it's 3 days after, the snow is cleared yet there's still salt and sand on the road. I can't very well wash it at home because the water is shut off for the winter ...

What do I do? I'm fearful taking the camaro to the drivethrough carwash might be frowned upon .. or is it a viable option for winter?

Go to a coin operated self service car wash. If you must go through a car wash, then go to a brushless one.

[bbfn11]

I regularly use a touchless car wash and I have had no issues with it doing anything to my stripes. That is not to say with continued use there might be an issue in the future. Your mileage may vary depending on where you live and how frequent you use the car wash. Everyone on this site seems to recommend the touchless carwashes.

[OuSoonersGirl]

Originally Posted by Contemporary485

Note: I am prepared for the tongue lashing that will probably follow this question. The reason I ask is that I cannot afford, yet, not to drive my camaro during winter ... now granted it won't be outside in any snow but say it's 3 days after, the snow is cleared yet there's still salt and sand on the road. I can't very well wash it at home because the water is shut off for the winter ...

What do I do? I'm fearful taking the camaro to the drivethrough carwash might be frowned upon .. or is it a viable option for winter?

I am SO glad you asked this. I read alot of the threads about washing and hand washing seems to be the best. I dont mind washing my baby at home but sometimes in this cold weather and NO time at all (I leave when its dark and get home when its dark) so I don't have any time to wash it. Most weekends I work too and even when I don't, I have to catch up to house chores that I let go during the week. I went through a touchless one time. It was right after all that snow we got here in Oklahoma. I was on my way to get my HIDs and halos installed. I knew I better wash it because my front bumper would be pulled off and I didnt want scratches from all the dirt. The touchless seemed okay as long as you didnt get the "powerwash" setting.

[rmpackers]

I have been driving mine all winter, just make sure you find a good touchless wash, and I found one that has a great under spray to get all that crap off the bottom. Mine was waxed and polished to the hilt before the winter began, so all should be well in the spring. I try to go at least once a week. Never do brushes or ropey velcro things.

[OuSoonersGirl]

Originally Posted by rmpackers

I have been driving mine all winter, just make sure you find a good touchless wash, and I found one that has a great under spray to get all that crap off the bottom. Mine was waxed and polished to the hilt before the winter began, so all should be well in the spring. I try to go at least once a week. Never do brushes or ropey velcro things.

No because isn't that worse than going to regular car washes with the power washer wands? THose brushes and velcro things can actually scratch the car if there is still dirt on it right.

[ffrcobra_65]

I wouldn't use a drive-through car wash, touchless or not. This is just me but to me, it is not worth the stress and anxiety that you have to go through while sitting in your car and watching the bristles and brushes slapping your car, or watching the high-pressure spray hitting the car and praying you find no damage when you get out. Buit I have seen expensive cars use them with no problems. Also seen some people come out fuming in anger!
I live in SoCal so I don't understand the water being shut off thing...so no tap water at your house at all? Sorry, not being a smart-A$$, just really don't understand. Nonetheless, you can get a 55gallon drum or similar to store water and get a pump for washing your car at home.

[rmpackers]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

I wouldn't use a drive-through car wash, touchless or not. This is just me but to me, it is not worth the stress and anxiety that you have to go through while sitting in your car and watching the bristles and brushes slapping your car, or watching the high-pressure spray hitting the car and praying you find no damage when you get out. Buit I have seen expensive cars use them with no problems. Also seen some people come out fuming in anger!
I live in SoCal so I don't understand the water being shut off thing...so no tap water at your house at all? Sorry, not being a smart-A$$, just really don't understand. Nonetheless, you can get a 55gallon drum or similar to store water and get a pump for washing your car at home.

Oh honey, you poor thing! Let me help you. The ambient temp in our garages in Nebraska on most days is about 24 degrees. It has been as low as 11 below zero on the outside. Right now we have only been above freezing about 5 days in the last 45. When you have a hose on the outside of your house the water will freeze and break your pipes on the inside of your house. The drum would be one big block 'o' ice. I'm one of the very few lucky ones in that my hubby built in an outlet in our garage that has heated/softened water, but when the water then freezes on your hood before you can even wipe it off, its a whole new ball game!

[blazzin1]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

I live in SoCal so I don't understand the water being shut off thing...so no tap water at your house at all? Sorry, not being a smart-A$$, just really don't understand. Nonetheless, you can get a 55gallon drum or similar to store water and get a pump for washing your car at home.

You SoCal guys are so funny!!! Let me see if I can help you understand this.... Winter is a seasonal change in the weather when it actually gets "cold" (that is the opposite of hot) in the northern part of the country!!! In some areas it actually gets BELOW FREEZING (imagine ice cubes!). Now...When water freezes, it expands. So, if water lines freeze (such as those going to an exterior faucet), there's a good possibility of rupturing those lines. Therefore, many places shut off the supply to exterior water sources during this strange phenominom called winter! Also, water in a 55 gallon drum would more than likely freeze too (even inside an uninsulated garage)!!! Weird Concept huh!?!?!

I do apologize in advance for my smart-@$$ sarcasm, I just couldn't resist!!!

[blazzin1]

Originally Posted by rmpackers

Oh honey, you poor thing! Let me help you. The ambient temp in our garages in Nebraska on most days is about 24 degrees. It has been as low as 11 below zero on the outside. Right now we have only been above freezing about 5 days in the last 45. When you have a hose on the outside of your house the water will freeze and break your pipes on the inside of your house. The drum would be one big block 'o' ice. I'm one of the very few lucky ones in that my hubby built in an outlet in our garage that has heated/softened water, but when the water then freezes on your hood before you can even wipe it off, its a whole new ball game!

Dang it, you beat me too it!!!

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by coolman

I was told when I picked up my Camaro. they said no commercial car washes.
I just bought a gt500 yesterday and it states in svt owners manual no commercial car washes because of stripes. My buddy owns a touchless car wash and you should hear some of the stories about what they can due to a car.

Then the quality of stripes have really gone down hill.. like I said i have had many cars with vinyl stripes and none have ever had a problem
Oh i see you have a FORD... it does not say that in My manual for the Camaro. Ail it says is not to use high pressure spray over 1,200 psi and avoid getting the spray nozzle closer than 12" to the car's surface. Most touchless car washes are not that powerful and the spray is farther than 12" from your car's surface..