Convertibles and car washes

Silverado57 · 11-25-2018, 06:05 AM

Here in NJ we had heavy rains that should have washed most of the salt off the roads and the temperatures will be above 50 degrees. The Camaro will be coming out of the cave.

At the end of the day I'd like to take the Camaro to the car wash, mostly for the undercarriage wash. Are there any cautionary tales about taking a convertible through an automatic car wash?

VJChevelle67 · 11-25-2018, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverado57

Here in NJ we had heavy rains that should have washed most of the salt off the roads and the temperatures will be above 50 degrees. The Camaro will be coming out of the cave.

At the end of the day I'd like to take the Camaro to the car wash, mostly for the undercarriage wash. Are there any cautionary tales about taking a convertible through an automatic car wash?

The tires are to wide for one. Specially if it's a SS or a ZL1. Or if it's been modified with wider tires look in your manual it should mention it there that's where I seen it first. That the ones with the tire guides . The others should be fine. I wash mine by hand so I don't have to worry . So don't take the chance. Enjoy your ride.

Mark114 · 11-25-2018, 10:47 AM

There are a few completely touchless car washes here that don't have the tire guides and I will occasionally go there. Unfortunately they bundle the belly blaster in a package with other items like spray-on wax that I prefer not to use on the convertible top. I will probably build or buy a belly washer to use at home for this reason. Check the car wash to see what they include and decide if you want the package.

90503 · 11-25-2018, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverado57

Here in NJ we had heavy rains that should have washed most of the salt off the roads and the temperatures will be above 50 degrees. The Camaro will be coming out of the cave.

At the end of the day I'd like to take the Camaro to the car wash, mostly for the undercarriage wash. Are there any cautionary tales about taking a convertible through an automatic car wash?

Don't leave the top down. Make sure it is up....J/K!!!!!!!!!AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

Glen e · 11-25-2018, 11:16 AM

Run it thru a touchless wash, protect the top with RAGGTOP or 303 products...google them...

laynlo15 · 11-25-2018, 01:55 PM

You could invest in a good power washer, they are worth the money. You can drive it and before you put it away wash off underneath and put it away. There are different pressure nozzle, use the wide spray nozzle and you can do a really good job underneath. To even do a better job run it up on some ramps or jack it up on one side and you can get all of it off.

Cchief · 11-25-2018, 02:19 PM

My vert is dusted after each use, for my other cars, I use a long handle soft brush in the cold months, also here in NJ

Rock-It Man · 11-25-2018, 04:25 PM

Car wash? Car wash?

No way am I putting my Camaro through a car wash...and it's not even a convertible.

The OP mentioned that their Camaro is in a cave for winter. That's a good place for it to stay until sand and salt season is over.

redcoats1976 · 11-25-2018, 04:48 PM

we bought a long metal tube(approx.2')that screws unto the hose and concentrates the water stream almost like a pressure washer.only cost like 10 bucks,and it would probably blast the salt off the undercarriage pretty good.

enzia35 · 11-25-2018, 07:52 PM

I read a story about a guy obsessed with his car, ran it through the under carriage cycle at the car wash...turns out the water was recycled from previous washes.

Not sure if true or not, just funny.

GroundhogSS · 11-25-2018, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzia35

I read a story about a guy obsessed with his car, ran it through the under carriage cycle at the car wash...turns out the water was recycled from previous washes.

Not sure if true or not, just funny.

The ones around here filter and reuse the water.

somedude · 11-25-2018, 11:14 PM

I would not do it, hand wash only.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=437535

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454761

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487403

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=478331

TybeeSS · 11-26-2018, 05:16 AM

Ran my leased SS through an automatic car wash probably 50 times without issue. I wouldn’t recommend them for reasons that apply to any car including hard tops but had no issues with leaks or damage to the top if that’s what you are concerned about.

Rock-It Man · 11-26-2018, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundhogSS

The ones around here filter and reuse the water.

Yes, there have been reputable news stories about the re-use of water by car washes.

How do you filter out dissolved salt?

11-25-2018, 06:05 AM	#1
Silverado57 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 522	Convertibles and car washes Here in NJ we had heavy rains that should have washed most of the salt off the roads and the temperatures will be above 50 degrees. The Camaro will be coming out of the cave. At the end of the day I'd like to take the Camaro to the car wash, mostly for the undercarriage wash. Are there any cautionary tales about taking a convertible through an automatic car wash? __________________ Kevin Luceo Non Uro

11-25-2018, 10:47 AM	#3
Mark114 Drives: 2016 2SS Convertible Join Date: May 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,710 View My Garage	There are a few completely touchless car washes here that don't have the tire guides and I will occasionally go there. Unfortunately they bundle the belly blaster in a package with other items like spray-on wax that I prefer not to use on the convertible top. I will probably build or buy a belly washer to use at home for this reason. Check the car wash to see what they include and decide if you want the package. Last edited by Mark114; 11-25-2018 at 12:58 PM.

11-25-2018, 11:16 AM	#5
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	Run it thru a touchless wash, protect the top with RAGGTOP or 303 products...google them... __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

11-25-2018, 01:55 PM	#6
laynlo15 Drives: 2022 Lt1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: clark, mo Posts: 8,860	You could invest in a good power washer, they are worth the money. You can drive it and before you put it away wash off underneath and put it away. There are different pressure nozzle, use the wide spray nozzle and you can do a really good job underneath. To even do a better job run it up on some ramps or jack it up on one side and you can get all of it off. __________________ 2022 Lt1 6.2 A10, Maggie 2300, THPSI Port Inj/10 rib, Rotofab, E, Nickey, SCOL, Griptech, RC Bandits, Hoosiers/MT 9.80@142.96 1.44 60ft, 6.34@112 707/669 RWHP/TRQ. 16SS Maggie 2650 9.41@147 1.35 60ft, 5.99@119. 16 C7 A8 10.90@128 Bolt on stuff

11-25-2018, 02:19 PM	#7
Cchief Drives: 2017 Fifty 2SS Convertible Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 179	My vert is dusted after each use, for my other cars, I use a long handle soft brush in the cold months, also here in NJ __________________ 2017 2SS 50th anniv. vert. 2017 Jeep Laredo Altitude 2018 MB GLE350

11-25-2018, 04:25 PM	#8
Rock-It Man 376 cubic inches of fun Drives: 2023 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MA Posts: 4,031 View My Garage	Car wash? Car wash? No way am I putting my Camaro through a car wash...and it's not even a convertible. The OP mentioned that their Camaro is in a cave for winter. That's a good place for it to stay until sand and salt season is over.

11-25-2018, 04:48 PM	#9
redcoats1976 Drives: LT W/2LT,blue metallic Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: central florida Posts: 4,915	we bought a long metal tube(approx.2')that screws unto the hose and concentrates the water stream almost like a pressure washer.only cost like 10 bucks,and it would probably blast the salt off the undercarriage pretty good.

11-25-2018, 07:52 PM	#10
enzia35 Drives: '16 Garnet Red 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 3,450	I read a story about a guy obsessed with his car, ran it through the under carriage cycle at the car wash...turns out the water was recycled from previous washes. Not sure if true or not, just funny. __________________ '16 Camaro 1SS '18 Miata GT Gone: '01 Camaro, '14 Camaro, '90 Miata

11-25-2018, 11:14 PM	#12
somedude Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Convertible Auto V6 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Covina Posts: 154	I would not do it, hand wash only. https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=437535 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=454761 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=487403 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=478331

11-26-2018, 05:16 AM	#13
TybeeSS Drives: 2017 2SS Auto Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: SC Posts: 116	Ran my leased SS through an automatic car wash probably 50 times without issue. I wouldn’t recommend them for reasons that apply to any car including hard tops but had no issues with leaks or damage to the top if that’s what you are concerned about.

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