Automatic car washes safe?
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CLK350
Automatic car washes safe?
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?
My biggest concern is, my tail lights are painted. Will this damage the paint on those?
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From: MA
E90 M3
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.
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.
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CLK350
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...
Now just need to find a good touchless car wash in the area...
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2004 clk 320
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
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2003 CLK 320
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?
btw where are you going to school?
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CLK350
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.
I'm at USF in Tampa for whomever asked.
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Dude, relocate up to here! Basic exterior wash at Neponset is $11, no ArmorAll!
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CLK350
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.
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From: California
2004 clk 320
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
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From: Irvine, CA
GLE 450 2021, SLK 350 2013, Honda Civc Type R 2019, Suzuki GSXR 750 2014, Ducati Diavel 2018
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)
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From: MA
E90 M3
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
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.
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From: Connecticut
2003 CLK55
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!
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CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
+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!
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!
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!
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From: California
2004 clk 320
[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
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
Last edited by blckclk; Sep 22, 2010 at 12:25 AM.
Junior Member
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Posts: 70
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From: California
2004 clk 320
+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!
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!
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CLK350
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.
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.
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From: Irvine, CA
GLE 450 2021, SLK 350 2013, Honda Civc Type R 2019, Suzuki GSXR 750 2014, Ducati Diavel 2018
Off topic: what year you and what are you studying?
I'm third year studying business with compsci
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From: Jerzy
04 CLK 320 > CLK32K
[QUOTE=blckclk;4262256]
Haters? Sounds like a woman problem to me...lol
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
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
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
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From: castro valley ca
s500
I think the main thing is touchless so your car doesn't have the dirt scratched into it.
car wash sacramento
car wash sacramento
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 70
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From: California
2004 clk 320
[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.
