[Staves]

I pull into DIY spray wash stalls 5 mi away and then dry it myself. Takes 15 min start to finish. $5. Car always looks awesome. Screw the handwashing. If I had a Z, would do the same exact thing.

[serper3]

Originally Posted by Plasar

The Camaro HPOM warns against automatic car washes because of the low clearance of ZL1s and 1LEs. I though I read a warning about the wide wheels not fitting well and being a scraping risk in those "troughs" that lead your car thru the automatic car wash.

Yes, find a local place that does hand washes. I'm lucky in San Jose to have "cheap and cheerful" Stockton Car Wash.

Stockton Car Wash - Downtown San Jose

I used to take my cars to AJs over by San Jose airport once a year for clay bar, polish, and wax. I think they are still there? It was well worth it the shine was incredible. This is a quality shop.

I enjoy detailing my cars and have done a lot of research on best methods, etc. Pressure washers are safe even up to high 2k psi. You keep more distance between the wand and the car, like 1-2 ft. When you pressure wash a sidewalk or driveway, you get right on there, and you use a much more aggressive tip.

The purpose to using a pressure washer is that you are knocking off the dirt more quickly, as opposed to using a sponge/towel that will scratch/micro mar your paint. most detailers use pressure washers nowadays. your clear coat is pretty dang hard.

For the OP, if you don't want to wash your car, I would look into mobile detailers with good reviews who know what they are doing. You can get cheaper/better service as some of these mobile guys actually detail and not just wash cars and know what it takes to keep your paint in good condition. The same service at a brick and mortar detailing place will be much more I would bet. Even if you don't care about shine, polishing, paint correction, etc. using some kind of sealants/coatings is a good idea to protect your paint, trim, etc. every 6mo or so depending on the products being used.

[ZX-10R]

Originally Posted by serper3

The purpose to using a pressure washer is that you are knocking off the dirt more quickly, as opposed to using a sponge/towel that will scratch/micro mar your paint. most detailers use pressure washers nowadays. your clear coat is pretty dang hard.

I get that, but like most ZL1 owners I have ceramic coat and concerned the pressure wash and/or detergents could wear it down faster

Washing the car and/or driving in hard rain are probably the best ways to gradually strip off ceramic coatings.

[serper3]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

I get that, but like most ZL1 owners I have ceramic coat and concerned the pressure wash and/or detergents could wear it down faster

Washing the car and/or driving in hard rain are probably the best ways to gradually strip off ceramic coatings.

You should be using a topper/drying agent with sio2 or whatever to keep that ceramic coating up. The ceramic coating is even harder than clear coat I think.

on the detergents side, you are correct, but you just need to make sure you use a soap specifically designed for ceramic, ph neutral no other additives. You don't want a soap that has waxes in it or anything like that because it will take away from your ceramic coating most likely in slippery-ness and shine.

The rain/washing wear on your coating is necessary though and it factors into how long your coating should last. If you hold up your hand to a pressure washer wand at about that 1-2 ft, its not strong enough to damage anything. and 90% of the crap on your car will come off versus getting stuck in your mitt and spread around on your car.

[ZX-10R]

Originally Posted by serper3

on the detergents side, you are correct, but you just need to make sure you use a soap specifically designed for ceramic, ph neutral no other additives.

So what do you recommend?

[serper3]

Originally Posted by ZX-10R

So what do you recommend?

I like this. popular among professional detailers and car pro is a trusted brand, good chemists, etc

https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-rese...0aAn2hEALw_wcB

I am also going to try this. I am obsessed with crazy shine.

https://www.autogeek.net/renny-doyle-bead-maker.html

Not used it yet but seen it on cars. The shine and slippery ness is insane. You spray on dry paint at first to get an initial coat and then you can use it as a drying agent for repeat applications. They recommend getting a gallon to start since you need to put it on Kinda heavy at first.

[Snowwolfe]

Rarely wash mine. Usually wipe it down with detail spray and keep it looking like new. In the rare case of getting caught in a rain storm it will be hand washed by me. Just turned 68 yesterday and if I ever get to old to hand wash then am to old to own such a car.

[SFV1LE]

After all this talk about washing car I'm compelled now to wash mine, I'll do it this evening. I went to Buttonwillow 2 weeks ago for 3 track days and only cleaning I've done is remove the Xpel Tracwrap temp PPF I put on high impact areas, it's still covered in dust, bugs and rubber streaks. I'll take before and after pics.

[Brudda*Termite]

If you're in a hurry, go to one of the most modern places that have the free vacuums and towels and when you roll up, ask them to turn off all the brushes. The only thing that touches your car besides soap, water, wax, and air will be the wheel cleaning dinguses. I tried it when I got bird shit carpet bombed and it worked great

[ZL1naples]

PM me and I will give you the name and number of someone in Naples who will come to your home to wash etc. He does all three of our cars in Naples and does a fine job. Fairly priced.

[Smokin19]

All this talk about too old to hand wash. What the hell you going to do when you get to my age, 73. I'll continue to hand wash as long as I can stand upright.

[ZED SLED]

Many, many years ago, there was a car wash in the town I grew up in that had topless chicks do the washing. Nothing more awesome than seeing all those 'sponges' pressed against your windshield. Didn't last too long before the bible thumpers got it it shut down though. I would hit one of those again.

[hawk02]

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

I would never touch my car with a pressure washer. Maybe on very low pressure you're ok but looks like that guy was using a higher level, it will strip your clear coat and then the paint. If it's high enough to get tough stuck on bugs and bird $hit it's too high.

If the pressure washer is under 2500 psi, you won't harm the paint. I don't know of any professional detail shop that doesn't use a pressure washer to clean customer vehicles. Of course, you have to use some common sense and not put the nozzle a half-inch away from the paint.

If Esoteric Fine Auto Detailing feels it's ok to use a pressure washer on a Bugatti Chiron, you'll be fine cleaning your Camaro with one.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by avalonandl

OK, search function not working.

I used to drive my 17' 2SS thru the local Clean Machine in Naples.

What's everyones take on doing the same with the ZL-1.

Doing my own handwashes.....uhhh no.....I'm 66 not going to do that.

I may have to find a place that does hand washes.

Mine's been thru touchless washes a few times, but I typically use a hand spray wash, then vacuum and wipe it down inside, then tire shine and wipe down wheels. It looks more like a "B" personality owns it - clean but not perfect. Drive it year round in Denver.