Automatic car wash

[Stonehorsw]

My initial plan was to use automatic car wash during the winter because of the under carriage washing (remove salt), used twice and a significant swirling on the side sills appeared due to the rollers that clean the tires. It was a noob move from my side, so I am passing along the info to help others avoiding same mistake.

Seems like a hand polishing is going to reduce the swirl.

For next time, plan is to move to a booth with power washer and use some device to clean the under carriage and other sections that salt may create a damage.

[CZ6T]

for whatever reason, Subaru paint seems to be particularly soft and prone to swirling from the factory.

[Midnightsky]

Don't you have touchless car washes in your area? I don't think anyone here uses the rollers anymore.

[BigT]

Look for a touchless, even though avoiding auto carwashes all together is the best strategy if you have a need a touchless should suffice. Normally they have sprayers that will spray the undercarriage and wheels of the car. Also may want to look into a good oil based undercoat(not the waxy paint type) to help with keeping grime off the underside of the car

[Flarpswitch]

After hearing horror stories from my friends, I an sticking with my plan: Better to drive a dirty car than have minimum wage strangers ruin the finish. Starting with a clean car from new, I have been using Meguires spray on stuff. Dirt and water just does not stick like it was made of Teflon. Lots of times I just use a wet micro-fiber rag to wipe off the car and/or go over it with a PVR cloth. Low effort; I'm just not into work of any sort. Every so often I will give it a spritz of Meguires to freshen up the protection. I have not observed any swirl marks in the finish despite my less than pro-detailing routine. The car is not huge, so it takes no time at all.

[Stonehorsw]

Just clay bared the car to reduce the swirls and applied graphene from turtle wax. Now, I will let the car sit for tonight on the garage. I will buy the fluid film also to apply on the bottom.

[Flarpswitch]

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

Just clay bared the car to reduce the swirls and applied graphene from turtle wax. Now, I will let the car sit for tonight on the garage. I will buy the fluid film also to apply on the bottom.

Very shiny! Do I detect Rug-Rag restraints in the back seat? Who says the BRZ is not a practical car?

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

Just clay bared the car to reduce the swirls and applied graphene from turtle wax. Now, I will let the car sit for tonight on the garage. I will buy the fluid film also to apply on the bottom.

Clay bar doesn't reduce swirls. It actually mars the paint a bit more. You need a polish or cutting compound to remove swirl marks in the paint.

For future reference a full detail includes, in order:
1. Wash and dry
2. Clay
3. Cut (only if necessary, judgement call here)
4. Polish
5. Protect

I wash and dry (drying is important here) once or twice a month if I can, then the rest every 6 months.

[AK2112]

Automatic car washes are a no go.

In the winter, every week (assuming it's above freezing outside), I go to the local DIY wash and just use the warm high pressure hose for 5 to 10 minutes. Blast off as much salt and grime as I can with it (body panels, wheel wells, suspension). It's certainly not perfect but assuming you have a decent layer of protection on the paint, it can do a fine job because nothing stays truly clean in the winter for long at all.

[Stonehorsw]

Did anyone use any device like the below to clean the undercarriage? Any recommendations? As mentioned, I plan to use a car wash that has a booth with pressure washer that works in the winter.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

Did anyone use any device like the below to clean the undercarriage? Any recommendations? As mentioned, I plan to use a car wash that has a booth with pressure washer that works in the winter.

Huh, never seen one of those. I usually just bend down and spray the undercarriage with the regular nozzle as best I can. I don't think you have to do more than that, everything is pretty well protected under there.

[saltywetman]

Originally Posted by BigT

Look for a touchless, even though avoiding auto carwashes all together is the best strategy if you have a need a touchless should suffice. Normally they have sprayers that will spray the undercarriage and wheels of the car. Also may want to look into a good oil based undercoat(not the waxy paint type) to help with keeping grime off the underside of the car

why opt for oil based undercoats (which makes working on suspension/brakes an absolutely messy nightmare) vs wax based coats? Wax based coats are more durable, last longer, and do not gunk everything up if you ever want to modify your suspension and the like. I fully regret going with oil based at first and paid to get the entire underbody dry iced to get rid of it this past fall to apply a honeywax seal on it.

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

Did anyone use any device like the below to clean the undercarriage? Any recommendations? As mentioned, I plan to use a car wash that has a booth with pressure washer that works in the winter.

I have something similar made by MTM but find that with standard pressure washers, they tend to not do a whole lot aside from thorough rinsing. Still better than nothing but not an option for the winter unless you have an indoor heated wash bay at home.

[Decep]

Originally Posted by Stonehorsw

Just clay bared the car to reduce the swirls and applied graphene from turtle wax. Now, I will let the car sit for tonight on the garage. I will buy the fluid film also to apply on the bottom.

clay bar will not reduce swirls. if anything it will mar the paint. it's only used to get off surface contaminants, not a scratch fix. you typically want to avoid claying unless you're gonna polish right afterwards.

the wax you applied probably has some fillers that will hide the swirls temporarily, but the fact is you'll need to polish the swirls out with a dual action polisher to get rid of em.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by saltywetman

why opt for oil based undercoats (which makes working on suspension/brakes an absolutely messy nightmare) vs wax based coats? Wax based coats are more durable, last longer, and do not gunk everything up if you ever want to modify your suspension and the like. I fully regret going with oil based at first and paid to get the entire underbody dry iced to get rid of it this past fall to apply a honeywax seal on it.



I have something similar made by MTM but find that with standard pressure washers, they tend to not do a whole lot aside from thorough rinsing. Still better than nothing but not an option for the winter unless you have an indoor heated wash bay at home.

For me it's just a personal preference. From what I've seen, the oil based coats allow moisture to wick away from the frame, while the liner type coatings trap moisture against the underbody parts basically promoting the formation of rust. I'd rather deal with cleaning the oil away with a degreaser vs finding rust 4 years later after the liner chips off