Automated Car Washes???

[Lemonskin]

Hi All,

Just wondering, is it safe to take my Polo GTI through an automated car wash? I've heard that some car washes can scratch the paintwork of newish cars. The one I'm looking to use regularly is at a Shell Service Station in Taren Point, NSW. There is a sign saying "Car Safety Guaranteed" on the carwash but I just wanted to make sure!

What is your experience?

Cheers
Michael

[Polo_GTI]

Generally any touch free car washes should be fine... i'd be wary of any ones that use brushes though

[ill0gitech]

Generally any touch free car washes should be fine... i'd be wary of any ones that use brushes though

The one at Taren Point is definitely not touch-free. It beats the crap out of your car

I've been getting mine done at Diamond on Taren Point Rd, and getting a beer at the Taren Point Hotel . It costs a pretty penny and they can't make coffee to save their lives, but they do a good job. There's a place at Kogarah that are ok too, but avoid the guys on Captain Cook Drive near Jay Car. They wash in the shade and leave streaks everywhere. Waste of money

[DUB69]

I wouldn't trust the ones that use brushes, only high pressure.

The thing you have to watch out for with them is, the employee who wants to give the front end of your car a touch up with a soapy broom first...

[Bflat]

Just don't.

[Lemonskin]

Haha damn right, the on at TP is violent! I used to use it on my VE Commodore but that was a company car and I didn't really care what happened to it. It was awesome then because you could get 2 washes for $12! I've been to Diamond and they're expensive... I live in a unit so its not really easy for me to wash my own car, so I was hoping there was somewhere that did a halfway decent job for $20. My old man has told me of a place on Burraneer Bay Road at a Caltex Servo that's run by an old couple that does a good wash if you don't mind waiting a while. I might have to go there.

[ill0gitech]

The place up at Sutherland near the SUS club is good too, but there's usually a bit of a wait.
Let me know how you go up Burraneer Bay Rd.

[Martin]

There is a spotless/touchless car wash on the corner of Bath Road and The Bollevard
(it's off the main road so many people don't know it's there)
$16 gets you the best wash with wax applied also

Remember, these are only any good for frequent washing of cars with paint in good condition and light dirt
Don't use these when you have significant issue - bird crap and tar and other deposits
These washes won't sort those problems out and if you're unlucky you may end up with a stain

[kam]

why not just wash at home ?

[Lemonskin]

why not just wash at home ?

Bit hard as I live in a unit and park in secure lock up parking. Anyone know of any good waterless cleaning products?

[Lemonskin]

There is a spotless/touchless car wash on the corner of Bath Road and The Bollevard
(it's off the main road so many people don't know it's there)
$16 gets you the best wash with wax applied also

Remember, these are only any good for frequent washing of cars with paint in good condition and light dirt
Don't use these when you have significant issue - bird crap and tar and other deposits
These washes won't sort those problems out and if you're unlucky you may end up with a stain

Thanks Martin, I'll try this out!

[Silver dub]

Why don't you just take the car to a local car wash where you pressure wash it yourself?

Just get a sealable bucket and premix your car wash at home and take a mitt with you.

I'd much prefer to do it myself then let anyone else touch my car!

[Hail22]

My simple view on using Automated car Washers:

[danielv10]

My simple view on using Automated car Washers:

+1

Sister used one a while ago and whilst it was cheap and convenient, it left some dirt marks still and threw in some new scratches as added bonus..

As I'm obsessive about my car, no one else is allowed to wash it (or touch it, or sit in it..*mumble mumble * damn grubby people and dealers*

[jords]

During the drought a few years back, handwashing at home was banned, and not wanting to trust automated car washes and that grit ridden brush at the jet wash, I turned to just pouring some undiluted car shampoo into a bucket, along with a wash mitt and went to local clean bay. A couple of dollars was enough to rinse the car with the high pressure hose and then fill up the pre-primed bucket with water. I then hand washed the car with the bucket and stuck another dollar in the machine to use the high pressure hose to rinse the car off. I then moved it out of the bay and towelled it off. 3 years without any damage from car washing.

They did have a sign saying no bucket washing allowed, but I just went during quiet periods and as I was putting money in the machine, I didn't see the harm. I got a full wash for $3 and zero damage.