Seems some of us who live in colder climes are _very_ concerned about our cars rims and other damage and will at some time have to deal with an automatic carwash. As for me it took 17 months to finally do it. I am through with using hot tap water in a bucket so as not to freeze my hands washing my car in near freezing weather. I am through with the strange pink substance jelling up on my ride as I sponged the soap on in the cold. (Pink stuff was my own blood from my hands getting cut from my speedily sponging over the "Type-S" and the ACURA lettering on the cars body)

It was time to get real and take it to a carwash. So while I was as nervous as a junkie going without for two days I took the car to an auto carwash with rails. Maybe somebody can benefit from the info found here especially on scratched rims. So if anybody can post some info on their rims and what happened maybe its good.

I had no scratches (thank god) on my setup. The tires (still stockers) protected the rims BBS RX from the rails. Of course those with the stock 01 CLS rims (are 02's the same?) MUST be aware scratching as those suckers bulge out further than the tires. Another nice thing is the mirrors didn't get bent back. Some headscratching was observed when I asked if they were drying with Cannon/Fieldcrest towels made in USA.

I'm happy about this. A year round clean car and no cuts.

 

No, no, no, no, no, no, ......etc. Don't do it. There are a few handwash places around. Try Beverly Hills Car Wash on Franklin Turnpike in Mahwah!

 

Dont do it!!!!!!

Also dont use a sponge to clean your car, unless you like looking at swirls. Cotton Wash Mitts or Microfiber mitts only. Check this site out for all you need to know to keep your car looking its best all year round. http://autopia-carport.com/forum/index.php3?

 

you can send me your un-scathed rims and i'll send you my scratched ones...then you don't have to worry!

try finding a self serve carwash. i usually use just the pre-rinse, soap, rinse, and then go over it with a bucket and mit w/ zaino stuff and rinse again (some places have signs that say you can't do this, but there's usually no one around to catch you, and if it's not busy sometimes the guy on duty doesn't care).

i only use the 'foaming brush' for the rims (i only have 2 slightly scratched 'cuz some bitch couldn't wait for me to leave the alley before squeezing her f*cking suv in).

and try to not directly spray the high rpessure soap or water on the car, but stand back and hold it high or hit it at a sharp angle.

and look for a decent carwash, they may be a little more expensive (less time per quarter).

it's a little more time consuming and inconvenient, but the next best thing to washing at home.

 

No way... hand wash only.

 

It does not get that cold here, but when the car gets really dirty, I bring it in and get it hand washed. There is a place here that washed your car for $15. If you prepay for 6, you get 2 free.

Find something like that rather than risk any damage doing the carwash....

IMO

 

:shakehd: :shakehd: :shakehd: :shakehd:

 

The question isn't "will the car get scratched?" it's "when will the car get scratched"
my horror story

One time put my Accord through the auto-wash they stripped the side moldings right of the pass. side. next time I am waiting for my car outside the place they pull out and I notice that one side (again passanger) is lower I look and the car is coming out rolling on a chrome rim the tire got ripped off and is dragging around the wheel well.

they suck and you are lucky the only thing they will do is scratch your car. however if you don't have a garage. just spray the car down.

 

You may not scratch your wheels the first time....but eventually the track will eat your wheels!!!!!!!! Stay away from the Automatic Car Wash!!!!!!!!!

 

You'd think with all this technology America has, they'd design a better car washing system!!!