Automatic Car Wash?

titan-t10 · 10-09-2009, 03:34 PM

i have a black 04 Nissan titan on 24s and I've been thinking about going through an automatic car wash , but I'm kind of scared to because i don't want it to scratch my truck or my rims. any insight would be great. thanks guys.

T-Dog23 · 10-09-2009, 03:37 PM

you should be good, just make sure you aren't by any side rails by the rims.

**Arachnid** · 10-09-2009, 03:40 PM

If you like paint scratches by all means frequent an automatic car wash.

titan-t10 · 10-09-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Dog23

you should be good, just make sure you aren't by any side rails by the rims.

thanks man. but what do you mean when you say side rails by the rims?

titan-t10 · 10-09-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arachnid

If you like paint scratches by all means frequent an automatic car wash.

so bad idea?

**Arachnid** · 10-09-2009, 04:02 PM

I don't run my vehicles through automatic car washes. They are tough on the paint.

**Blackbeauty** · 10-09-2009, 05:37 PM

#1 Automatic car washes are seldom maintained properly, i.e. changing out the "touchless strips"... They get crud embedded in them and then act like sandpaper on your paint. Even the "good" ones that change them once a month... After 2 or 3 washes, there's crap stuck in them, and I don't care what anyone says....

#2 They miss a LOT of spots on this truck.

#3 The dryer rag dudes then spread the "unwashed grit" around while attempting to do a poor job not drying your whole vehicle.

#4 The Titan is too tall and the CC cab is too long. There is NO ONE ON EARTH that can reach the whole thing to dry it without a stepladder and moving it 2 or 3 times.

#5 The rims will suffer if you have aftermarket wheels - they will not even get close to clean at the least and can get scuffed by the rails at the worst.

#6 I love my truck too much to let someone who could not care any less about it wash it. Think about it... Is that an upward career move for those guys? They don't give a shit about what YOU own... never will...

Nice sunny morning... tunes playing... cleaning her up right and having a nice cold one or two in the process... It don't get any better than that... Just do it!

Yahooligan · 10-09-2009, 07:54 PM

I'll only take my truck to a truely touch-less automatic car wash, it actually works really well. Definitely avoid any of the ones that have bristles, especially with a black vehicle. Unless you like swirls.

**Arachnid** · 10-09-2009, 08:14 PM

Yup, if you can find a good touchless one they work good. You won't get it as clean as a you can at home, but in the winter it makes it easier.

ceyko · 10-10-2009, 05:56 AM

Blackbeauty could not have said it any better.

gweasel77 · 10-10-2009, 06:24 AM

I wash mine by hand.

cancer_researcher · 10-10-2009, 08:47 AM

Anyone have any awesome ideas on how to do an undercarriage was yourself? Don't have a lift and automatic car washes suck. What's a guy to do. yes I could probaby get under my T with a pressure washer but what about my Benz?

jjski78 · 10-10-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cancer_researcher

Anyone have any awesome ideas on how to do an undercarriage was yourself? Don't have a lift and automatic car washes suck. What's a guy to do. yes I could probaby get under my T with a pressure washer but what about my Benz?

Set it up on jackstands and go to town with the pressure washer.

Skyboi · 10-11-2009, 07:05 AM

Buy a second wand and have it shortened to a pistolgrip for tight places...Replace the normal tip with a fantip....Get in a rainsuit with a mask and get on your back....dig in

TitanBlue · 10-11-2009, 12:39 PM

Excellent advice from skyboi. I'd like to add some comments and a caution or two.

Do set vehicle on jack-stands if you need the clearance to work and really need to wash undercarriage well. No problem with that. However, use only a garden hose if possible. if not, at least be aware of the following...

SAFETY: Pressure washers have very long wands as a safety feature, not just convenience. Use of a nozzle, directly in the gun is actually violation of industry standard practices. Sometimes, it is the only practical method though. The length helps prevent the gun from turning around on you and causing a water puncture wound. They can be serious, or even deadly. This type of wound was virtually unknown until when diesel fuel injection was invented, and now more common with pressure washers. Ours at work is 3,500 psi at 4 GPM. Consider even the 2,000 psi home owner versions can rip off your fingers without mercy. You are trying something in close quarters, more so than just washing off the outside at a comfortable distance, so just use a bit of extra caution. Protect your eyes with goggles. (skyboi is right on!)

CORROSION: Secondly, when you do spray underneath, be careful of any electrical connections that would normally not be exposed to pressure washing, putting water into them and causing corrosion later on. Steam Cleaning is notorious for this. You are fairly safe worth just pressure, but look around first, that's all.