Hey.. My curiosity as to whether or not the car wash feature at gas stations damages the g35 coupe in any way has always been on my mind... Would it be bad for my car if I took it into one of these drive thru car washs ... the most expensive type of wash as well... touch free... meaning nothing touches the car to damage it like material wise... i have heard that it is better to do it yourself.. but i dont have all the necessities for it.. so if anyone can help...

 

It's not a good idea to run through those gas station car washes. they can be very dirty, scratch your paint, and wear away your clear coat pretty quickly.

some dealerships use these style car washers too. Next time i bring the car in for service I'm going to tell them not to wash the car. I got a couple nicks and they scuffed up my right tail light.

It's best to wash the car yourself with soft clothes. nothing abbrasive. Maybe test out the materials your using, some terry clothes will leave spirals too.

The only things I used to wash the car is a clean car sponge, California Wet Blade an Absorber and Meguiars soap, I think it's gold class or something. I've never gotten any spirals from this combo.



BS G35C 6spd navi/aero/prem

 

The touchless high-pressure water kind shouldn't cause scratches, but they don't do as good a job at removing bug guts. It's best to do it yourself. However, it also depends on your car. A light color like silver or platinum will hide light scratches. Black, on the other hand, will highlight every single scuff and fingerprint.

I live in a townhome complex and can't really bucket wash my car myself, nor do I usually have the time to do it anyway. I figure the car wash bristles are less damaging than leaving the bird droppings on the hood for weeks on end. If I could find a touchless car wash in my area, I'd probably use them instead.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

You have to wash it yourself, and my friend taught me the best way to wash the car. DO NOT USE THE SPRAYER.

Ever wonder why your car gets spots? becuz the sprayer oxdizes the water making it stay on your clear coat. I washed my car twice already. First time I had a bucket of water, those ultra soft hand sponge looking thing (looks like a fuzz ball mop haha) [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img] , because regular sponges suck.

Second time I got smarter and bought a freakin HOSE, and used it without any sprayer or nozzle, I just let the water spill from the top of the car. Didnt leave a single spot.

I also had meguiars wheel cleaner and a bunch of stuff, spent like nearly $100 on materials. But well worth it to keep your G shiny forever. I have plenty of terry cloths and work cloths for the greasy areas. For soap, I had Castrol left so i used that otherwise I would go get meguiars also.. DId I spell rite? haha.. anyway.. Just remember to buy a bug removing sponge, saves your car. And Tire gel etc etc etc... You need to get everything unfortunately, but trust me you will not regret.


<font color=blue>G35/Skyline 350GT Coupe
Silv - Graph - 6MT - Aero - Prem - Naviless</font color=blue> [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

 

badboy,

My word of advice is to stay as far away from car washes as you can (other than the touchless). For all you know, the car before you could've been all muddy and now all that grit and grime is just waiting to scratch your car as is "cleans". Now, having said that, get a soft hand mitten, any product that is made my Meguires or Mothers, and as Ovayahead said, a California Blade--the thing works wonders. And another thing, it's okay to use the sprayer to wash your car but when you're done, just take off the nozel and run water over the entire surface to remove any water dropplets that are still on the paint.

Bozz
6MT Laser Red w/ prem.

 

hmmmmm
Is 155 mph not fast enough to get the water off?

Translation for the Canadians:
Ayyyyyyy
Is 249.44832 kph not fast enough to get the water off?

LOL

 

Yes my son that's fast enough I'll say, laardy laardy, More than enough buddy... Should gets really dry on dat run buy................[img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red>

 

my local car wash usually pretty good, I did not bring my car there yet but I notice on the railings that pushes your car has a "plastic" protective guides from beginning to the end this will protect your wheels on driver side from scratching, can anyone confirm if your local car wash have this too?

 

badboy,

I wouldn't recommend gas car washes... You have a luxurious ride now, don't go cheap on it! But be prepared, you own a black cars, get ready for the invasion of swirl marks.. grrr..

 

Yep, most people with a black car have a Love, Hate relationship with it.
Love it when it is clean w/o any swirls marks.[img]/w3timages/icons/blush.gif[/img]
Hate it when it is dirty and have swirl marks.[img]/w3timages/icons/mad.gif[/img]

I would NOT use a mechanical car wash of any kind on my "G" and am very hesitant for someone else to wash it unless I know their work. There are very good Detailers out there, just don't want to find out the hard way that they 'suck'!


<font color=blue>Merlin</font color=blue>

 

oh the dilemmas of having a dark colored car!

'03 G35 Sedan: ivory/aero body/sport/sunroof
Warning: Objects in mirror are FASTER than they appear

 

Any one try those topless car washes? I'm afraid that durring the cold winter, the "head lights" might scratch my car.

LOL

 

what head lights

2003 G35 Coupe
Desert Platinum / Willow Leather
5AT / Premium Package

G35-Forum.com

 

Come on now, think about it.. a topless car wash.. not a touchless car wash. Take your brain off autopilot and watch what's being said! [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Yeah those high beam flashes can be hazardous.