Car washes??

[ClarityCamaro]

Has anyone had a problem with regular car washed? I just got a monthly membership at a local car was for unlimited washes. My question might be stupid to ask but oh well. Can regular car washes ruin your paint job or damage it?

[06_warrior]

Dude DON'T DO IT!!!!! You will regret it i promise. You will get swirl marks galore. Learn how to wash it at home by hand. 2 bucket wash system by hand is preferred method. Go to this section " How to properly wash your car" http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19526 or you can watch some junkman video's on you tube.

[LimaCharlie]

Automatic car washes are 'Scratch-O-Matics'. I worked at one when I was 17 years old and saw many cases of damaged vehicles. Broken antennas, scratched paint, trim/emblems/molding pulled off, scratched wheels from the track, leaks, etc...
Wash your car by hand. It's more rewarding and minimizes chances of damage.

[2012-1822]

Yes use junkman. And get some borderless blonde towels from Zaino. Don't use cheap microfiber. Meguiars microfiber sucks something fierce.

[AdamEL]

Definitely don't. The previous owner of my SS ran it through some car washes. I have light swirls. As soon as I pay my exhaust off, I'm going to throw down $300 to get it paint corrected.

Hand wash ONLY on these finishes.

[ClarityCamaro]

Originally Posted by AdamEL

Definitely don't. The previous owner of my SS ran it through some car washes. I have light swirls. As soon as I pay my exhaust off, I'm going to throw down $300 to get it paint corrected.

Hand wash ONLY on these finishes.

Okay sounds great now i know... it's been through a regular car was about 3 times... because this one was suppose to be for "classic cars" anyway. What's some good things to get the swirls out of cars? I have seen light swirls in my car. Thanks all for the info.

[06_warrior]

Originally Posted by ClarityCamaro

Okay sounds great now i know... it's been through a regular car was about 3 times... because this one was suppose to be for "classic cars" anyway. What's some good things to get the swirls out of cars? I have seen light swirls in my car. Thanks all for the info.

You can bring it to a detail shop and pay them or do it yourself but you have to have some supplies and equipment. After you wash and dry your car by the 2 bucket wash you want to clay bar your car to get the contaminates off your car. Then after that you will have to correct your clear coat to get the swirls out. and

[tom231]

You can run it through an automatic car wash just fine. I take mine through on a regular basis and have never had any problems. How in the hell are you ever going to get the undercarriage washed if you never run it through the automatic wash? Sure, the body will look good for years, meanwhile, the frame is rusted through.
These are Camaro's people! They aren't $250,000 Bentley's. If you're worried about occasional swirl marks, just have it professionally detailed and buffed once a year.

[Dr40oz]

I have an unlimited package and get it washed like twice a week, so 8 times a month at least with zero marks in the 7 months I've had the package. After hand washing every car I've had, I'll choose the 10 minute wash over an hour long hand wash every time.

[MrWray]

Originally Posted by tom231

You can run it through an automatic car wash just fine. I take mine through on a regular basis and have never had any problems. How in the hell are you ever going to get the undercarriage washed if you never run it through the automatic wash? Sure, the body will look good for years, meanwhile, the frame is rusted through.
These are Camaro's people! They aren't $250,000 Bentley's. If you're worried about occasional swirl marks, just have it professionally detailed and buffed once a year.

Just because your car isnt significant to you doesnt mean everyone treats their car that way.. my car may not be a "$250,000 bentley" as you put it, but I treat it like it is....and yes you can clean the undercarriage without taking it through a scratch o matic carwash

[tom231]

Originally Posted by MrWray

Just because your car isnt significant to you doesnt mean everyone treats their car that way.. my car may not be a "$250,000 bentley" as you put it, but I treat it like it is....and yes you can clean the undercarriage without taking it through a scratch o matic carwash

I never said my Camaro wasn't significant to me. I bought it to drive and enjoy, not to worry about swirl marks in the clear coat from running it through the car wash.
BTW, how do you clean the undercarriage without going through the car wash? Do you put it on ramps and spray with a hose? I'm curious!

[MrWray]

Originally Posted by tom231

I never said my Camaro wasn't significant to me. I bought it to drive and enjoy, not to worry about swirl marks in the clear coat from running it through the car wash.
BTW, how do you clean the undercarriage without going through the car wash? Do you put it on ramps and spray with a hose? I'm curious!

I do all of my washing and detailing myself at home, my car is a garage queen so her belly never gets that dirty, but I use my power washer to clean the undercarriage, my car sits lower because of my gfx but I still have room to get it all.

[Hot Tamales]

I run it through the touchless car wash only when absolutely necessary inbetween hand washes.

[ClarityCamaro]

Originally Posted by Hot Tamales

I run it through the touchless car wash only when absolutely necessary inbetween hand washes.

The thing is i live in west texas... And the dirt blows constantly... And i actually drive my camaro i'm 23 years old. So ofcourse i take it to school everyday and stuff. So i don't really have an hour every 3rd day to wash my car...