Kidentist

OMG!!! I know that guy!! His Carrera 4S is completely covered TRUE and he does drive it over the pass on a weekly basis. Then again, he's upgrading to a GT3 RS.......so we'll see.

Dundee

I took my Audi S5 cabriolet through auto car wash in Zurich ( " Best Car Wash)") when shipping it back to USA through European delivery program . I had no problems and looked great . I took it to a local car wash recently and it did well also . The young lady who worked the car wash entrance said " that is absolutely the best looking car I have ever seen " . She had worked there past 8 yrs ! Go Audi !!

Hy Octane

I use the same carwash in West Hollywood since the 70's.. For me its all about rinsing the car thoroughly before it begins the wash cycle and using hand washers not machines down the line.. No rotating fabric wheels or dancing curtains.. But its really getting the dust/dirt off by spraying it down first which removes the sharp dirt particles that cause the microswirls..

dseag2

I think it really depends on circumstances. We've had a small bit of ice and snow here in Dallas and the DOT puts salt on the roads. After it has thawed out and I've gone through all the salty slush I take it to a full service car wash so I make sure the undercarriage is clean. But then the next time I hand wash it I put a coat of wax on it. Since our weather is usually pretty good I have the advantage of hand washing most of the time.

Also, my Florett Silver is pretty easy to keep clean without swirl marks, but if I had a darker car I would probably never take it to a car wash.

markbridge

If a car has two or three coats of wax, even a protectant, I'm wondering if it wouldn't be best to let the car stay dirty until there is a good day to properly wash it. I guess it's one of those "lesser of two evils" situations.

It's strange the OP's cabriolet leaks when taking it through a pressurized car wash. I don't have that problem with mine. However, I should add, mine is a garage queen so it doesn't get driven much (5,000 miles in two years). I think I've use a pressurized car wash once on it. Usually use a handheld wand which gets almost all of the dirt off then carefully dry with a microfiber towel. I put two coats of Zaino Z-CS Clear Seal on the car right after I brought it home. So far so good, no swirls marks.

mhblaw

As said, if not for commercial car washes, a car would not get washed from November to April here in ND...unless you have a heated garage with a floor drain...which I do not.

Longwolf (Christian)

Never have, never will. They WILL scratch your paint, they will not get it completely clean. At least use a local hand wash service and tip them well up front to make sure they are gentle.

And leave the automatic washes to pansis in gold Lexuses.

dseag2

Never had either of my Cabriolets leak in an automatic car wash either.

Nastybutler

Likewise here in Alaska. No way I can wash my car in the garage (no drain or faucet), so I use the touchless car wash down the street. Does a crap job of it (never gets up under the lip above the rear license plate), but it's better than letting it sit dirty for 5 months or paying huge sums of money for professionals to do it on a regular basis.

mikejaeggi

I agree 100%, I hand wash all my cars with certain products and microfuber towels. I always tell the dealer NOT to wash my car when they're done. I don't trust someone else washing my cars.