I was wondering if drive thru car washes are safe for aftermarket rims? They always have a disclaimer before you enter them saying they are not responsible for damaged aftermarket wheels. I have 18" rims 8.5" all the way around. Does anybody have any problems with aftermarket rims? I like to hand wash my car but i really dont have the time to hand wash all the time. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

thanx

04 6MT Black on Black
Premium
Aero
Winter
Injen CAI
Unorthodox Pulleys

I've seen several posts on here about those car washes damaging the factory rims. Not worth the chance.

Russ

Black 6MT Coupe
Jax, FL
G35Driver.com Business Cards

Drive through carwash leaves swirl marks on your car. If you want to save time, you can check out the autodry system. I have heard good stuff about it.

04 G35C 6mt/aero kit/nav/premium

Shoot, man, with a black G the rims are the least of your worries...I got unbelievable swirls and light scratches on the entire finish of my G, the ONE and ONLY time I got lazy and went to a "hand wash" place. I say do it all yourself, or beware.

"God, Schmod, I want my monkey man!!"
------
Craig Ramseur
G35C/5AT/BlkOb/Graphite/17"
PhxGold/Focal/AudioControlEQ/Basslink
Z-Xtreme Grounds/Z-Tube&PopCharger

Some will damage your wheels and leave swirls, some will not. I've had great success with my last black car in the kind with the long blue rubber/shammy things hanging down.

However,
With my Coupe, it tears my license plate up and bends the sides inward. I guess something is catching it from the bottom. Since then I've hand washed only, but I did put on a heavy solid license plate bracket that I haven't tested yet, but it's on there pretty good and should be ok now.

2004.5 Coupe/5AT/Ivory/Everything but chin spoiler/Z Tube-Popcharger/Crawford V5 Plenum on the way

Simply not worth the risk, do not use them.

I learned about what could happen before I even got my car, never used on, never will.

"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke

G35 6mt

My friend owns two car washes and he never puts his S class through them even though all his equipment is top of the line on a dark color car the only real way to avoid swirls and light scratches is to do it yourself.

03 6mt black/black
Ztube PopCharger

I go to theose brushless car washes at the gas stations when I am short on time..only thing you need to do is give it a good drying.

Put your wheel cleaner before you enter,wash,dry and clean windows with stoner and your set no swirl marks.

I've never had any problems going through the one at my local BP.

I think the only time I would ever consider it is in the winter. I haven't had this car for a winter yet, so I am undecided what I'll do, but I'm certain I won't go anywhere that will touch the car with anything other than water and soap.

Thanx for the reply. I will not be going to automatic carwashes unless it's winter time. I've been through them a few times. But i tried Meguirs NXT it took the swirls COMPLETELY out. I've never been so happy with a wax. I highly recommend it. I'll have to post pics with my new rims as well. When i have time next.

Thanx again



04 6MT Black on Black
Premium
Aero
Winter
Injen CAI
Unorthodox Pulleys

the NXT wax doesnt work for me...

do you buff by machine?