Mikevercetti

In particular the "touchless" car washes...I'm living on campus now at college and can't really wash my car by hand like I used to. Anybody have any experience in using these? I know the ones with the brushes can cause damage, but the touchless ones just use high pressure water, which seems okay.

My biggest concern is, my tail lights are painted. Will this damage the paint on those?

kevblah

If your biggest concern is the paint on your taillights, no they won't damage the paint on those.

As far as touchless car washes go, they're fine for your paint, but usually leave your car wet still...which will lead to sun spots.

I've gotten to the point where I don't even care anymore and run it through an automatic car wash (a good one though) every week.

Mikevercetti

Alright, thanks for the input. I've been with my dad when he's taken his car through the touchless car washes and they're pretty dry afterward because of the air they blow, and then whatever is left over will dry off as you're driving.

Now just need to find a good touchless car wash in the area...

blckclk

theyre fine, but if youve got wheels you might wanna watch out. ive never tried it becuase of that reason but i see plenty of people going throught with their wheels. just my thing i guess

bheng

there is a touchless where back in my hometown. the only thing was that it was expensive. i think it was like 60 bucks. haha think of all the cleaning supplies. but yes i understand your situation tho. maybe you can try the no rinse washing or find a hose and pay off the janitor/yard keeper?

btw where are you going to school?

dynomite05

No hand car washes available?

2MCHCAR

+1

Mikevercetti

There actually is a hand wash place pretty close by, but I've yet to check out how much it'll be. I just don't want it to be crazy expensive. My car's parked outside, so it gets dirty pretty quickly. I figure at the very least I'll wash it once a month, preferably twice a month.

I'm at USF in Tampa for whomever asked.

dynomite05

It can't be that much. Hand washes by me are $12 including armor all on tires.

badblackbenz550

touch less car was his the worst, that water does not take off dirt completely.

eddieo45

where's your good one kevblah? I use Neponset in Dorchester. If you get the "tire shine" product, and have anything larger than 16's, you gotta get out and wipe your wheels down before you speed off or you get product all over your car.

Dude, relocate up to here! Basic exterior wash at Neponset is $11, no ArmorAll!

Mikevercetti

I was looking to spend $10-15, but I figured a hand wash would be more expensive. I'm definitely going to check it out though. Hopefully it's about the same price. I'd do that in a heart beat.

S1KW209

hand wash is recommanded. automatic wash damages the paint, I experienced it with my old car.

blckclk

I wouldn't take my clk to college, as a daily anyways. I learned my lesson going throug my junior and senior year of hs (class of 2009) after high school I wanted to keep the miles low on the clk and bought an audi a4, only cause I wouldn't leave my clk outside or on the side of the street overnight

supacrazykev

The only thing I have problem with touch less machine is that you can scratch your rims getting on and off the rack. I had it happen on my C. Thanks to my wear and tear insurance, I got free repair. You should buy car covers for outdoor parking. (I had to park my car outdoors for two years in college)

kevblah

lol relax, it's only a clk. my clk is my daily driver and im a full-time college student, as well.

i feel like putting a car cover on your car is only asking for trouble. i bought an oem one for my w203 when i still had it and i never used it because it felt so awkward lol.

Stiggs

+1
First time I used a touchless car wash in my CLK55 I put a nice scratch in my rim exiting the damn thing. They have metal tubes on each side of the exit. I thought my car was pointed straight. Nope.
I've never used a car wash since. Only hand wash my car myself.....everytime!

bigben320e

+1

Hand wash with pH based shampoo with 2 buckets or a foam gun is the way to go. Dry with a good quality 80/20. Less swirls, no spots.

Giggity!

blckclk

[quote=kevblah;4262065]lol relax, it's only a clk. my clk is my daily driver and im a full-time college student, as well.

yeah i know its only a clk, but it was my first car and i'd like to keep it in good shape. thers's a lot of haters where i live around, ive had to replace the back windshield and the two front windows, side mirrors, and the third brakelight. i know its not anything crazy like an amg or anything but its still special to me. and plus for college the a4 is koo, maybe after i finish college ill get an amg

blckclk

+1

Mikevercetti

Feel the same way. I had thought about a car cover but...eh. The way I figure it, I'm not too concerned about my resale value. I'll have this car until I buy my own when I've got my own job, so I'll have it for a while...At least 8 years (college/grad school).

supacrazykev

My community was pretty chill. they didn't mind my car being covered, but it was such a hastle putting on and off everyday. My mindset is different from you. I feel like I need to preserve my car because it's no longer being manufactured.

Off topic: what year you and what are you studying?

I'm third year studying business with compsci

dynomite05

[QUOTE=blckclk;4262256]Haters? Sounds like a woman problem to me...lol

jerrymoen

I think the main thing is touchless so your car doesn't have the dirt scratched into it.




car wash sacramento

blckclk

[QUOTE=dynomite05;4262514]haha no no, I've been happy with the same girl for the past 2 years. I've even got security cameras up at home that have recoreded my car being vandalized. It's been done at my high school once too( just the third brakelight) it seemed like every time my car was outside something was going to happen to it,knock on wod. I don't have this problem now,thank god,but still wouldn't take the risk.