06TL929

Upon picking up my new toy I realized that the birds had left thier mark on my hood.. several times.. anyway, usually I was my car at one of those do-it-yourself places where you use the "gun" that srays the pressurized water and soap/rince etc. HOWEVER, after reading about problems that several members have had with water getting into the door handles and such I am hesitant to use it. So my question is, if this isn't safe, how do you guys wash your cars without worrying about the water in the handles? I'm just not a bucket and sponge type of dude... suggestion?

Treblig

Sorry, but I'm a bucket and sponge washer normally and even at that I have had the door lock problem. Seems like any appreciable moisture is the culprit.

getakey

I believe bucket/sponge is much better on a wax finish, plus you can control exactly what wash products you use.
In my experience with bucket wash, any door handle problems are very short lived, i.e., minutes if at all. And, I wash virtually every week, so I have lots of experience!

Treblig

I have agree with getakey, the problem is usually short lived.

neuronbob

+2, it's short-lived.

06TL929

short lived whenever it happens? or short lived when using the ol' bucket and sponge?

getakey

I can only report on bucket wash and it is short-lived if it happens at all. Have seen other posts that claim "long lived" if power sprayer or drive thru used.
Do the bucket wash, you become much more intimate with your car

Treblig

I can only speak to the ol' bucket and sponge scenario. I would assume that high pressure water being forced in there may create a whole different set of problems.

getakey

Actually, I don't think it has to do with water getting in anywhere, rather its the technology used to sense touch. It does not sense pressure, rather is is an electrical technology. (Hope I'm not wrong on this.)
I remember reading about it in Wiki and it discussed the pros/cons of various touch technologies.

Treblig

That's good to know and maybe why the problem is short lived. But it does seem strange that when I have the problem, it's always on the driver's side door.

rtr

Put the key far from the car when you wash it so it doesn't glitch out. I think it happens when water and power touches. So it thinks your opening the door but your just spraying water and at the same time it shorts out. Some times fixes it's self but usally screws up again. My new driver side handle feels diffrent from the last one that broke. It seems to activate the same as the passenger side. Meaning the driver side was very sensitive before the replacement. Hope this helps and keep your waxed to repel water.