Gang,

I've had my new baby for two weeks now and she's starting to look mighty grey instead of Stormy Blue. Just wondering where Ottawa owners get their RX-8s washed in the winter time. I'll be doing it myself in the summer but I'm looking for a safe option for the other 9 months of the year...

I know a touchless wash would be the best way to go but the door seals and locks always have a chance of freezing up no matter how slowly you go through the dryer. Minute Car Wash on Catherine does a great job and dries the locks and seals but I've always been concerned about how soft their brushes really are.

Cheers,

Canphan

 

Risk it. It's not like you need to put a key in the lock. Or you could leave it dirty. You'll only have to wash it again anyway. The more you wash it, the more scratches you'll get on your paint.

 

I'll be coming to Ottawa for xmas so this is good info. for me as well. Thanks.

 

Where in ottawa do you live? There is a good coin wash in nepean on Laperriere ave. near carling ave. In the winter all you really want to do is clean the salt and dirt off and a coinwash can accomplish that with some high pressure rinse/soap and wash cycles. 4 bucks and you can do the whole car (even the waxing). Then spend a few minutes in the bay wiping down the seals and locks. Oh and it's open 24/7!

Here is the google map to the car wash:

http://tinyurl.com/yscd3k

 

The touchless wash at Sunoco on the corner of Fisher and... I forget the street... does a really good job... My car was filthy from being parked in a dirt parking lot every day for a week (construction going on) and I took it in there and was rather surprised at how clean it was, considering most of those things are useless...

 

I prefer coin op stalls to touchless washes. Something about those super high pressure sprays and embedding dirt into the supposed 'soft mazda paint' that people complain about; I'd just rather use a mitten and wash thoroughly. Besides, touchless washes always miss a spot here and there.

 

How come we will get more scratches on our paint washing it more?

 

Because each time you wash it (especially by hand) you put little scratches in the paint from particles. There's no winning.

 

Always use the two bucket method when washing your car. Those spray wash places are fine every once in a while but nothing beats doing it by hand.